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FAQ

Temporary car insurance in France:
17 questions answered

Seventeen answers taken from the actual policy conditions — what is covered, what is not, and what blocks a subscription. No brochure language.

See also: the full guide, who can subscribe and check my eligibility.

Questions 1 to 4

Subscribing

Can I subscribe on a Sunday or a public holiday?

Yes. Subscription is online 24/7, and the certificate is emailed as soon as payment is validated. No branch to open, no appointment.

Is the certificate really instant?

Yes — it arrives by e-mail at subscription and is valid proof if you are stopped. Registration in the French insured-vehicle file (FVA) takes up to 72 hours, which is normal and has no consequence for you.

How long can the cover run?

From 1 to 90 days. Choose the real end date, not an optimistic estimate: a convoy delayed by one day means you are driving uninsured.

Can I subscribe for a future date?

Yes. You choose the start date and time; the certificate is issued immediately and the cover begins at the moment stated.

Questions 5 to 8

Who can be insured

What are the conditions for the driver?

Be aged between 21 and 90, hold a licence valid for the vehicle's category, and have held it for at least 2 years in that category. A medical certificate is required for C, CE, D and DE licences.

My insurer cancelled my policy — can I still subscribe?

What blocks a subscription is a cancellation following a claim within the last 5 years. A cancellation for any other reason does not prevent you from subscribing.

Is a foreign driving licence accepted?

Yes. For a non-EU licence you need a valid residence permit (issued less than a year ago, except for student status) or a valid visa together with photographs of the border entry stamps.

What makes a subscription impossible?

Five cases: more than 2 at-fault material claims or 1 bodily-injury claim in the last 36 months · a cancellation following a claim within 5 years · a criminal conviction for a road-traffic offence, drink-driving or drugs · being surcharged and looking for an insurer, or waiting on the BCT (French central tariff office) · a rental vehicle.

Questions 9 to 13

The vehicle

Which vehicles are covered?

Nine categories: car, van, lorry, road tractor unit, motorhome, bus, trailer, semi-trailer and light quadricycle (voiturette sans permis).

Are motorbikes and scooters covered?

No. Two-wheelers, three-wheelers and quads are not among the categories that can be insured on a temporary basis. They require a standard policy with a specialist insurer.

Can a leased vehicle (LOA, LLD, leasing) be insured?

No. Rental vehicles are excluded, and that includes LOA, LLD and leasing. A vehicle lent free of charge between private individuals, on the other hand, can be insured.

Can I insure a vehicle without a French registration document?

Yes, with one of these documents: a valid provisional registration certificate (CPI), an auction invoice less than 2 months old, a police immobilisation form less than 2 months old, or a transfer-of-ownership certificate together with the registration document stub.

Is a foreign registration document accepted?

Yes, including outside the European Union, subject to the supporting documents requested. Three exceptions: Italian, Romanian and Polish registration documents are refused by the insurance company.

Questions 14 to 17

The cover

What exactly does the policy cover?

Motor third-party liability — the compulsory cover — together with legal defence and recourse. Roadside assistance is reserved for cars and vans; every other category is excluded from it.

Does the cover work abroad?

The cover applies in France. Abroad, it applies only to the countries listed and not crossed out on the green card issued when you subscribe. Check your green card before you leave.

And for a departure to North Africa?

The cover applies to the journey across France up to the port of embarkation, at Marseille or Sète. Driving on arrival must be insured locally, through border insurance issued in the destination country.

Can I extend or stop the cover early?

Extension is possible up to a total of 90 days. If you return the vehicle before the planned date, the cover simply ends: nothing to cancel, no contract that rolls on.

Going further

Going further

Eligibility conditions · Check my eligibility · Countries covered · All guides · Vehicle registration

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