Health & Protection in Paris

Getting insurance and protection products are not only a priority for expats in Paris, but it’s also a very strict requirement. Insurance is legally required for almost all matters of life for all residents and even tourists in France.

France is heavily invested in keeping their residents and even their visitors completely covered during their stay, and when it comes to options for companies, plans and services for all the required insurance products while you’re living in Paris, you have a wide range of local and international companies with offices in the city. Learn more about the insurance plans you need in Paris and how you can use them to your advantage.

Getting Insurance

France requires its local and foreign residents to have a number of insurance plans for nearly everything concerning their lives and possessions while living in the country. Paris, as the country’s capital, is an insurance hub for anyone who needs it. Some of the insurance required for all residents are; home insurance (either rented or owned property), vehicle insurance any form of vehicle used in the city, civil liability, child insurance (if you have children), and health insurance. Tourists would also be required to have fully comprehensive travel insurance.

When working in the Paris office, you will be registered under the local SecuritéSociale. You will need to discuss with your HR department and understand what the level of cover is, and do they provide add-ons (called “Mutuelle”) to provide extra coverage for dental, optical etc.

Because of the strict insurance requirements in the country, the insurance industry is huge in France. International private insurance companies such as AXA and Europ Assistance are French companies headquartered in Paris and are still dominating the industry in the city and the rest of the country as well as having a prominent presence in the global market. Getting a plan from one of these companies can be the best move as long as you read the specifics and make sure you’re getting the range of coverage that you want.

Importance of Insurance

Having the appropriate coverage and protection for yourself, your loved ones, and your most prized possessions are clearly very important in France. The city of Paris is beautiful and charming, but it is not without its dark side, and it’s good to understand that you can never be too sure when it comes to the most important things in your life.

The public health and social service sector are very efficient in Paris. However, they cannot give you a complete coverage of other aspects of your life, and the public sector also cannot provide additional service that you would need, such as dental care, and roadside assistance services. These are just some benefits that you can have when you sign up for a proper insurance policy. These are just some of the ways you can save money when you have insurance. Read the policies you have and find out how you can make the most out of your plans.

Local Insurance in Paris

In a powerhouse city like Paris with such a huge insurance industry that has an extensive global presence, the quality of local insurance is basically the same as an international one, if you know how to negotiate the appropriate plans for your needs, and if you know who to buy your insurance policies from. AXA for example, is a household name and an international insurance giant, with products that offer the most basic insurance services up to the most specific ones such as expat services.

It’s important to determine your needs first before you sign up for any insurance policies, so that when you do ask for quotes, you know exactly what to look for and what to expect. Local insurance companies in Paris are on a very high level and they offer several options to each of their clients. International insurance coverage is still the preferred option of most expats in the city. Make sure that you have the coverage you want, whether it’s only local, regional, or international, before you buy your plan. Don’t make assumptions based on the reputation of the company you’re signing with. Never fail to read the fine print of your policy.