Key takeaways

Switching car insurance in 60 seconds

Three legal paths

  • Loi Hamon : after 12 months, any time, no justification, the new insurer cancels for you.
  • Loi Châtel : at annual renewal, 2 months notice ; if not properly notified, any time.
  • Legitimate motive : before 12 months, with proof : sale of vehicle, move, departure from France.

Critical for cars

  • Continuous cover mandatory : never let policy lapse before new one starts (criminal offence).
  • Bring your bonus-malus (CRM) : request a "relevé d'information" from the old insurer.
  • Selling your car = automatic legitimate motive ; cover ends at sale + 10 days.

Loi Hamon : switch any time after 12 months

The Loi du 17 mars 2014 (loi Hamon, article L113-15-2 of the Code des assurances) made switching car insurance almost effortless. After your first 12 months of cover, you can cancel at any time, no fee, no justification needed.

The procedure :

  1. Get quotes from new insurers using our live comparator.
  2. Subscribe the new contract. Tick the "mandat de résiliation Hamon" box during subscription : the new insurer will cancel the old one on your behalf.
  3. The new insurer notifies the old one by registered letter or electronic equivalent.
  4. Cancellation takes effect 30 days after receipt of the notice.
  5. Continuous cover : the new contract starts the day after the old one ends, so you're never uninsured (a criminal offence under article L211-1).
  6. Pro-rata refund of the unused premium from the old insurer, within 30 days.
What's great about it : you can do this online in 15 minutes, the new insurer handles the registered-letter paperwork, and you stay continuously insured. No risk of driving uninsured.
Critical timing : never schedule the new contract to start before the old one ends. A 1-day gap = criminal offence + risk of refused claims if you have an accident in that window.

Loi Châtel : the annual renewal escape hatch

The Loi du 28 janvier 2005 (loi Châtel, article L113-15-1 of the Code des assurances) obliges the insurer to notify you of the resignation deadline at least 15 days before the deadline expires. The notice typically arrives 2 months before the contract anniversary.

  • Insurer notifies you on time : 20 days from the notification to send a registered resignation letter ; cover ends at the anniversary.
  • Insurer notifies you late (less than 15 days before the deadline) : you can resign at any time after the renewal, refund of the unused premium ; cover ends 20 days after the resignation letter.
  • Insurer never notifies you : you can resign at any time, full refund of the post-renewal premium.

Châtel is mostly used in the first 12 months when Loi Hamon doesn't yet apply, or when you specifically want to align cancellation with the contract anniversary.

Legitimate motives : cancel even within the first year

Article L113-16 of the Code des assurances lists motives that let you cancel before 12 months, with proof :

  • Sale of the insured vehicle : most common motive. Cover ends 10 days after the sale automatically (article L121-11) : no need for a registered letter, but send proof of sale.
  • Theft of the insured vehicle : cover ends after the police declaration is filed.
  • Destruction of the insured vehicle : total loss, write-off.
  • Change of address (déménagement) : affects the premium, justifies cancellation.
  • Marriage, divorce, PACS : change of family situation.
  • Change of profession.
  • Retirement or cessation of professional activity.
  • Departure from France with proof of new foreign residence.
  • Insurer's significant tariff increase not justified by a contractual clause (e.g. accident-related premium hike).

Procedure : registered letter to the insurer, proof of motive attached, cancellation effective 1 month after receipt. Pro-rata refund of the unused premium.

Selling your car ? Send the carte grise (registration document) crossed and signed "vendu le [date] à [hour]", along with the buyer's certificat de cession. The contract is automatically suspended on the day of sale and cancelled 10 days later : but inform the insurer in writing to avoid disputes.

Bringing your bonus-malus to the new insurer

Your coefficient de réduction-majoration (CRM) follows you, not your contract. When switching insurer, you must transfer it to the new one to keep your bonus.

The procedure :

  1. Request a "relevé d'information" from your old insurer. They are legally obliged to provide it within 15 days (article A121-1) ;
  2. The document lists your CRM, your claim history (last 5 years), the dates of cover ;
  3. Send it to the new insurer at subscription : they apply the bonus to your new contract.

If you don't request the relevé, the new insurer will start you at CRM 1.00 by default, losing all your accumulated bonus. This is a costly oversight : get the document.

For expats with foreign no-claims records, see our guide on transferring foreign no-claims.

Resignation letter template

If cancelling directly (sale of vehicle, departure from France, etc.), here's a template. Send by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt.

[Your name]
[Your address]
[Email] · [Phone]

[Insurer's name]
[Insurer's address : see your contract]

[City], [Date]

Subject : Resignation of car insurance contract n° [contract number]
Vehicle : [make, model, plate]
Sent by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt

Madam, Sir,

I hereby resign the car insurance contract referenced above, effective [date] in accordance with [article L113-15-2 of the Code des assurances (Loi Hamon, after 12 months) / article L113-16 (legitimate motive) / article L121-11 (sale of vehicle)].

[If legitimate motive :] In support, please find attached [proof of motive : sale certificate, new lease abroad, etc.].

I therefore request the cancellation of my contract, the issuance of a relevé d'information up to the cancellation date, and the pro-rata refund of the unused premium to my bank account.

Please confirm receipt of this letter and send the cancellation confirmation by email to [email address].

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]

Switch checklist

  1. Request your relevé d'information from the old insurer (15-day legal deadline).
  2. Get 3-5 quotes on our live comparator, providing the relevé to apply your bonus correctly.
  3. Verify cover : same tier (third-party / tiers étendu / tous risques), same options, same franchise.
  4. Subscribe the new contract with effective date set the day after the current one ends.
  5. Tick "mandat de résiliation Hamon" at subscription. The new insurer handles the cancellation.
  6. Save the cancellation confirmation when it arrives (within 30 days).
  7. Verify the pro-rata refund hits your bank account within 30 days.
  8. Update your registration documents : the new insurer issues a new carte verte (green card) and attestation. Keep one in the car.

Frequently asked questions

When can I use Loi Hamon ?

After your first 12 months of cover. No fee, no penalty, no justification required.

Are there cancellation fees ?

No. Cancellation under Loi Hamon, Loi Châtel or with a legitimate motive carries no fee, no penalty. Some insurers attempt to charge an "administrative fee" : refuse, it's illegal.

I'm selling my car : what happens to my insurance ?

Cover is automatically suspended on the day of sale and cancelled 10 days later (article L121-11). Send the carte grise crossed and signed "vendu le [date]" to your insurer for refund.

I'm leaving France : how do I cancel ?

Departure from France is a legitimate motive (article L113-16). Send a registered letter with proof : new foreign lease, foreign work contract, or flight ticket.

Will I lose my bonus when switching ?

No, if you request the relevé d'information from your old insurer and provide it to the new one. The new insurer applies your existing CRM. Without the relevé, you restart at CRM 1.00.

What if there's a gap between the two contracts ?

Driving uninsured for even one day is a criminal offence (€3,750 fine, possible licence suspension). Always schedule the new contract to start the day after the old one ends.

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