Borrower insurance: senators reject termination “at any time”

Right in its boots, the Senate unsurprisingly rejected the possibility of terminating its borrower insurance at any time.

The senators of the LR group and centrists, the majority, preferred to return this Thursday evening to an annual termination of the borrower insurance contract (death, disability, illness, etc.) as they had already done in committee last week.

To try to counter this vote of the senators, several parliamentarians, with the support of the government, tabled six amendments restoring the “infra-annual” termination at any time.

But these amendments were all rejected by 199 votes (against 78).

“Instead of protecting the insured, the Senate chooses to protect the bank”

This rewriting goes against the bill of the deputy Patricia Lemoine (Agir Ensemble), supported by the government, favorable to a free termination, "at the request of the borrower", whatever the date of signature of the contract.

Even if this vote was expected, Patricia Lemoine did not hide her disappointment this Thursday evening.

“The rewriting of the text by the senators completely distorts the objective of this bill, it does not bring any change and does not meet the expectations of consumers, she regretted.

It was important to adopt this termination at all times now, when the question of purchasing power is crucial for individuals at a time when the prices of raw materials and energy are increasing...Instead of protecting the assured, the Senate made the choice to protect the bank,”

An argument shared by Éric Maumy, member of Apcade (Association for the promotion of competition in creditor insurance) and president of the APRIL group.

“I am extremely disappointed by the position of the senators who have decided to sacrifice the interests of the French for the benefit of the banks”, he adds.

“It's another blow that we inflict on borrowers by simply preventing them from enjoying complete freedom of choice,” adds Astrid Cousin, spokesperson for the borrower insurance broker Magnolia.fr.

Still a slim hope by February 28, end of the legislature

The examination of the text is not finished, even if the legislative calendar promises to be tight.

“A joint joint committee (CMP) must meet on February 3 in order to try to reach a compromise with the rapporteur of the Senate, Daniel Grémillet (LR).

But given the significant changes made to the initial text, it seems difficult to reach a compromise,” says Patricia Lemoine.

In the event of disagreement between the two assemblies, the bill will then go back to second reading in the Assembly, probably from next February 10, before a new shuttle at second reading in the Senate.

"Let's hope by then to find some compromises likely to satisfy everyone", loose the deputy, supported by the government.

In the absence of any agreement, it will then be up to the Assembly to have the last word at the third reading... If the parliamentary calendar allows it: the end of the legislature is set for February 28.