What should you do if you are the victim of a car accident caused by an uninsured or unidentified person who cannot compensate for the material damage and/or bodily injury you have suffered?
An accident is already an ordeal in itself... so running into an uninsured driver can put your spirits down.
Rest assured, there is a solution: contact the Compulsory Damage Insurance Guarantee Fund.
Compare car insurance contracts to be well covered in the event of an accident
The missions of the Compulsory Damage Insurance Guarantee Fund
The FGAO is financially autonomous but it is nevertheless placed under the control of the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industry, which determines the rate of contributions according to the needs of the Fund.
The missions and skills of the FGAO have expanded over the years.
It was mainly created for "compensation for bodily injury or material damage suffered by the victims, or by their dependents, of traffic accidents caused by the drivers of a motorized land vehicle (car, motorcycle, cyclo, etc.) uninsured or unknown (drivers who fled)”.
The FGAO teams also intervene to take care of the victims of accidents that have occurred abroad.
In all other cases, car insurance companies are responsible for compensating road accident victims.
The conditions for being compensated by the FGAO
To qualify for financial assistance from the Guarantee Fund for Compulsory Damage Insurance, several elements must be respected.
First of all, the vehicle that caused your accident must not be insured (otherwise turn to the insurance company) and must be registered in France.
“If the accident was caused by a vehicle whose driver is identified, you can obtain compensation for your bodily injury and material damage.
If the accident was caused by a vehicle whose author is not identified, you can obtain compensation for your bodily injury, but the Fund will not be able to intervene to compensate you for your material damage unless, in the accident, you or another person were hospitalized for more than 7 days followed by temporary total incapacity equal to or greater than one month or a permanent functional impairment of at least 10%, or, if a no one has died,” says the FGAO.
The documents sent to the Guarantee Fund for Compulsory Damage Insurance
Several documents must be provided to be compensated by the FGAO:
the compensation claim form,
a photocopy of your identity card, passport or residence permit,
photocopy of the police report or the police report.
Other documents must also be submitted depending on the nature of the damage related to the accident.
In case of bodily injury
In the case of bodily injury, prepare the initial medical certificate describing the injuries (first certificate established in principle on the day of the accident by the hospital or the attending physician), possibly the recovery certificate or the consolidation certificate, the supporting documents loss of income (refer to the form), medical or hospitalization receipts for the costs incurred and reimbursements made by the social organisations.
In case of material damage
In the case of material damage, gather all the documents presenting an assessment of the amount of the material damage (expert report or paid invoice, insurance contract for the damaged property, specifying the nature of the guarantees taken out and the absence of damage guarantee) .
If you don't feel fit enough to gather all these supporting documents, ask around for help.
The faster the file is sent by your insurer, the better – but be aware that the legal deadline leaves you plenty of time to take matters into your own hands.
>> SERVICE: I find a car contract with guarantees for material damage and bodily injury
The Compulsory Damage Insurance Guarantee Fund in figures
In 2020, 29,986 victims were taken care of by the FGAO following an automobile accident.
127.7 million euros were paid out: 11.2 million euros for victims of material damage and 116.5 for victims of bodily injury.
Do not hesitate to check your car insurance contract to find out if you are well covered in the event of a road accident and the amount of compensation in the event of bodily accidents because the amount of compensation varies from one car insurance contract to another... from simple to double.
Finally, be aware that the FGAO can cover you in the event of a hit-and-run by the other driver.
Because in some cases, you may not get an amicable report of the accident... It is the interest of the Fund, to insure the victims in this type of situation, with solidarity.