The floods in several departments have caused serious damage. The Minister of the Interior wishes to “accelerate” the natural disaster system.
The victims are numerous, especially in Ille-et-Vilaine, because of the exceptional floods which flood several municipalities this week. When the water entered the houses and shops, it damaged the structures and made big damage on furniture, household appliances and electronics. Now that the decline is started, the time is for the observation for the victims, who must list what they have lost with water.
On a visit to Redon, one of the most affected municipalities, Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of the Interior, assured wanting to “accelerate” the recognition system for the state of natural disaster. This can take several months, and yet it is necessary for the compensation of the victims.
Insurers pending this recognition to reimburse
During episodes such as that experienced by the departments concerned by the vigilances in recent days, there is a very specific protocol to follow. First, the victims must ensure that their insurance contract mentions “damage to property” or “operating losses” for damaged goods. Then, they must declare the claim to their insurance company as well as the damage suffered in town hall. It is up to the mayor of their commune to send a request for recognition of the state of natural disaster to the prefect. The councilor has eighteen months to carry out this approach. Technical reports must be made at the request of the prefect and sent to the Ministry of the Interior. The request is then sent to an inter -ministerial commission, which usually meets once a month, but can be exceptionally convened if necessary. The commission then rules on the recognition of the state of natural disaster and its verdict is published in the Official Journal by an inter -ministerial decree (interior, finance and budget).
The insured then have a maximum of thirty days after the publication of the decree to send their insurer an estimated state of the damage. Insurance companies then have a period of three months from the date that the estimated state of the damage was sent to compensate their insured. This period may be initiated on the date of publication of the decree if the estimated state of the damage is too late.
In all, it can therefore happen two years between the claim and compensation. Obviously too long for those impacted. The Minister of the Interior has not yet explained how he intended to “accelerate” these approaches.