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Floods in the South West: what is the use of the state of natural disaster?

2021-02-05T17:40:28.890Z


Jean Castex said on Friday February 5 that the state of natural disaster should be declared as soon as possible in areas hit by recent floods. It will allow disaster victims to seize their insurance.


This Friday, February 5 during a trip to Marmande in Lot-et-Garonne, the Prime Minister announced that the state of natural disaster was going to be declared

"as soon as possible"

for these areas of the southwest which have suffered heavy flooding in recent days.

This device should allow disaster victims to be reimbursed within three months for the majority of their damaged or lost property.

• What is a state of natural disaster?

This is a recognition by the State of an exceptional climatic situation that has resulted in significant human and / or material damage.

Flood, mudslide, earthquake, avalanches… When these events occur, the affected municipalities request recognition of this natural disaster status from the prefectural services which then forward the request to the government.

He alone is empowered to recognize this situation.

It does so through the publication in the Official Journal (OJ) of an interministerial decree which

“determines the areas and periods where the disaster occurred as well as the nature of the damage resulting from it covered by the guarantee [against effects of natural disasters] ”

.

• What happens to the victims once this status is obtained?

The publication of the interministerial decree in the Official Journal makes it possible to trigger the guarantee against natural disasters provided for in the insurance contracts.

The victims then have 10 days, from the date of publication of the order, to make a declaration to their insurance and send it an estimate of the losses.

Invoices, photos… A maximum of proof must be provided.

Damaged goods must also be kept for examination by the expert sent by the insurance.

In the meantime,

“take all necessary measures to prevent the damage from getting worse.

If the damage is such that you must carry out immediate clearing by administrative decision or emergency repairs for example, keep as far as possible proof of damaged goods (invoices, photographs, videos, etc.) ”

, advises the Federation. French Insurance Company (FFA).

• Does all insurance cover these natural disasters?

The natural disaster cover must be included in multi-risk contracts, whether they relate to housing or vehicles.

But basic insurance, such as the only

compulsory

“civil liability”

for cars, is not affected.

• Are all goods covered?

No.

"The natural disasters guarantee does not work for goods which are not covered by damage insurance (for example graves), goods which are generally excluded from the guarantees of comprehensive home contracts, such as fences, land or gardens for example, vehicles for which only the compulsory civil liability cover has been taken out, ”

specifies the FFA.

The exclusion also applies to ships and goods transported.

• What are the damages and costs covered?

The insurance will cover direct material damage caused to insured property, such as the car, building or furniture, compensation being made within the limit of the ceiling provided for by the guarantee.

The insurance will also cover the costs of pumping and cleaning the damaged premises or even the costs of demolition and clearing.

Indirect costs, such as relocation or loss of food from the freezer due to power cuts, are not covered, unless the insurance contract provides for it.

For farmers, the guarantee will cover buildings, furniture, equipment or even livestock in the buildings and harvested crops.

Unraged crops, crops, soils and uninclosed livestock are excluded from this warranty.

Their compensation comes under the agricultural calamities regime.

Also note: the natural disaster status does not spare you from the deductible.

Or 380 euros for homes, vehicles and goods for non-professional use or 1520 euros if the disaster is linked to a drought or soil rehydration.

• How long do you have to wait to get compensation?

Full compensation must take place within three months from the date on which the insurance declaration was made or from the date of publication of the interministerial decree, whichever is later.

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2021-02-05

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