It is not easy to insure against the misdeeds of the heatwave which has hit France in recent days. Only the resulting drought can be compensated - insurers reimbursed 815 million euros in 2018 - if it is recognized as a natural disaster.
Is there specific health coverage?
From heatstroke to hyperthermia, the pathologies linked to the heat wave are numerous. But "no specificity exists for natural persons victims of the heatwave", sweeps Olivier Moustacakis, co-founder of the comparator assurland.com. Health insurance and complementary health insurance cover consultations and care without worrying about the cause and respecting medical confidentiality. However, since the heatwave of 2003, many prevention strategies have emerged.
Are damage to my home covered?
Cracked walls, sagging ground ... Damage linked to high heat is "a particularly visible phenomenon in clay areas, yet these cover 70% of the national territory", worries Nicole Bonnefoy, senator (PS) of Charente. "More than 4 million homes are potentially very exposed", emphasizes Olivier Moustacakis. To be compensated, the insured must first have taken out a comprehensive home insurance contract (MRH) including a “natural disasters” guarantee.
Then he needs to be in an area where a natural disaster drought order has been issued. "Without these two cumulative criteria, the insured cannot be covered," notes the professional. Problem: it may take several months before the mayor's request for recognition of a natural disaster is validated. From there, you will have ten days to report the loss to your insurer who, after receiving the expert's report, has three months to compensate you. Please note: the minimum legal deductible set at 1520 euros remains at your charge in the event of a drought.
“In fact, drought-related damage is very uncertain,” observes Olivier Moustacakis. Between 2012 and 2018, only 52% of requests for recognition of a natural disaster were successful, against 81% for floods ... It is very complicated for policyholders to obtain coverage from their insurer, especially that cracks often appear after months or even years ”.
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What about a heat-related car breakdown?
Your radiator smokes, your windshield cracks under the sun… Here again, the damage caused by the heat wave can be covered. "It is still necessary to have taken out a material damage guarantee provided for in certain All-risk contracts but not all," warns the insurer Generali. And make sure that among the damage covered, the mechanical failure is correctly listed. »In the event of third-party insurance (civil liability), no coverage. And beware of the "force of nature" guarantee: it covers rock or snowfall but not drought-related breakdowns!
