Discussion
Sorry to hear about your accident and trust no-one was hurt.
The drivers involved should have completed and signed an accident statement form and each pass a copy to their insurers who then determine fault and sort it out between them. For you this depends on whether your insurance policy covers you to the same level when in France as it does at home; if it does you should have no problems.
For future reference the standard statement form in French and English is here:
http://european-accident-statement.accidentsketch....
Steve
The drivers involved should have completed and signed an accident statement form and each pass a copy to their insurers who then determine fault and sort it out between them. For you this depends on whether your insurance policy covers you to the same level when in France as it does at home; if it does you should have no problems.
For future reference the standard statement form in French and English is here:
http://european-accident-statement.accidentsketch....
Steve
If you didn't fill in the accident statement with the other party ticking the boxes effectively admitting liability - or you have a solid witness to whatever happened - then I'm afraid it will almost certainly be dealt with on a 50/50 basis.
Whether the other party admitted liability at the scene or not is irrelevant if it isn't on that statement.
The French know how to play the game and would not want the statement filled in if they were in the wrong and will take advantage of a hapless Brit who doesn't know how important the statement is.
Sorry but that's the reality and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they hadn't reported it to their own insurer as YOUR fault !
Whether the other party admitted liability at the scene or not is irrelevant if it isn't on that statement.
The French know how to play the game and would not want the statement filled in if they were in the wrong and will take advantage of a hapless Brit who doesn't know how important the statement is.
Sorry but that's the reality and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they hadn't reported it to their own insurer as YOUR fault !
When UK drivers were obliged to apply to their insurers for a green card for trips abroad, the insurers usually sent an accident statement form plus instructions and contact numbers.
Now that UK drivers are covered, or rather think they are covered, by their standard UK insurance, they don't contact their insurance company or receive any information on procedure in the event of an accident abroad. I see from James's profile that he owns property in France and no doubt has made many trips, but presumably he was unaware of the accident statement form - a standard procedure in France.
Although under EU law UK insurance policies must cover the driver (car) to the minimum requirements of the other country, some apparently ONLY cover that, despite having a comprehensive cover when driving in the UK.
One of our gite guests parked in a roadside bay and, with the rear off side door open, was belting his youngster into the child seat when a postie all but took the car door off. He was lucky not to be hurt as the van must have passed within inches of his legs. The postie was very sorry, said that he hadn't seen the open door, and he and his boss took our guest to a body shop where the badly damaged door was made to at least close. They filled out an accident statement form describing, with sketches, what had happened.
Thinking it to be an open and shut case (pun intended) we phoned the post's insurer, and e-mailed a copy of the accident form. Despite everyone's, including our gendarme neighbour's opininon that the accident was due to the postman's inattention, they phoned the following morning to say they were claiming against our guest's insurers for the damage to the post van.
Our guest phoned his insurers, a major company, and they told him politely to naff off. His comprehensive UK policy only covered him to the minimum requirement in France, he hadn't purchased an extension to his policy, and neither they, nor the Motor Insurers Bureau would help him claim against the other driver. He had to pay for the damage himself and presumably lost his NCB as well..........
Be warned,
Steve
Now that UK drivers are covered, or rather think they are covered, by their standard UK insurance, they don't contact their insurance company or receive any information on procedure in the event of an accident abroad. I see from James's profile that he owns property in France and no doubt has made many trips, but presumably he was unaware of the accident statement form - a standard procedure in France.
Although under EU law UK insurance policies must cover the driver (car) to the minimum requirements of the other country, some apparently ONLY cover that, despite having a comprehensive cover when driving in the UK.
One of our gite guests parked in a roadside bay and, with the rear off side door open, was belting his youngster into the child seat when a postie all but took the car door off. He was lucky not to be hurt as the van must have passed within inches of his legs. The postie was very sorry, said that he hadn't seen the open door, and he and his boss took our guest to a body shop where the badly damaged door was made to at least close. They filled out an accident statement form describing, with sketches, what had happened.
Thinking it to be an open and shut case (pun intended) we phoned the post's insurer, and e-mailed a copy of the accident form. Despite everyone's, including our gendarme neighbour's opininon that the accident was due to the postman's inattention, they phoned the following morning to say they were claiming against our guest's insurers for the damage to the post van.
Our guest phoned his insurers, a major company, and they told him politely to naff off. His comprehensive UK policy only covered him to the minimum requirement in France, he hadn't purchased an extension to his policy, and neither they, nor the Motor Insurers Bureau would help him claim against the other driver. He had to pay for the damage himself and presumably lost his NCB as well..........
Be warned,
Steve
W124Bob said:
Does a hire car have the accident report form in the paperwork? Or should I print of one from the link.
I don't know but it's likely to be in the local language and it pays to understand precisely what you're agreeing to. The link is to a form in French and English.W124Bob said:
Just checked my EU cover on the car insurance and it's the minimum required by law, the big red telephone will sell me fully comp (at a price no doubt).
Forewarned is forearmed, our guest above was insured by a company in the same group. One of their advertising slogans is "Not all car insurance is the same" 
Steve
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