Chapter I: The obligation to insure

The insurance provided for in article L. 211-1 must include cover for civil liability extending to all the territories of the Member States of the European Community as well as to the territories of any third country for which the national bureaux of all the Member States of the European Community individually guarantee the settlement of claims occurring in their territory and caused by the use of vehicles normally based…

The vehicle is deemed to be normally based in France : 1° If it bears a number plate which corresponds to it and which has been issued by the French authorities; 2° When, although subject to compulsory registration in France, it has no number plate or bears a number plate that does not correspond to it or no longer corresponds to it and the accident occurs on French territory; 3°…

The decree of the Conseil d’Etat referred to in article L. 211-1 sets out the conditions for the application of this Title, and in particular the extent of the cover which must be included in the insurance contract, the procedures for drawing up and validating the supporting documents required for inspection purposes, and the obligations imposed on users of vehicles in international traffic carrying a letter of nationality other than…

All insurance contracts taken out under the terms of article L. 211-1 mention the insured’s option, in the event of damage covered by the contract, to choose the professional repairer he wishes to use. This information is also provided, under conditions defined by decree, when the claim is reported.

Clauses by which the insurer prohibits the insured, in the event of loss or damage covered by an insurance contract taken out underarticle L. 211-1, from assigning to third parties the insurance indemnity claims which it holds against him are null and void.

Any clause stipulating forfeiture of the insured’s cover in the event of conviction for driving while drunk or under the influence of alcohol or for driving after using substances or plants classified as narcotics is deemed unwritten.

The provisions of this Title are without prejudice to the regulatory requirements in force, insofar as such requirements relate to different risks or impose more extensive obligations.