Key takeaways

Filing a claim in 60 seconds

At the scene

  • Fill a constat amiable with the other driver : paper or e-constat app.
  • Take photos of damage, plates, position, road signs.
  • Both drivers sign : once signed, the report is binding.

Declaration deadlines

  • 5 working days : accident, vandalism, glass breakage.
  • 2 working days : theft (after police report).
  • Immediate : fire of the vehicle.

The constat amiable : France's joint accident report

The constat amiable (or constat européen d'accident) is a standardised carbon-paper form, identical across the European insurance industry. Every French driver should keep one in the glove box : your insurer issues it free with the contract.

It's used for accidents involving two vehicles with no injuries, where both drivers are willing to fill it in jointly. It records :

  • Date, time and location of the accident ;
  • Identity of both drivers (name, licence number, address) ;
  • Vehicle details (make, model, plate, insurer, contract number) ;
  • Diagram of the accident : drawn by hand showing both vehicles, road layout, signs ;
  • Tickboxes describing the circumstances (17 standardised items : was reversing, was overtaking, etc.) ;
  • Damage observed on each vehicle ;
  • Optional witness details ;
  • Signature of both drivers.

Once both drivers sign, the report is binding : neither party can later contest the version of events recorded. Read every box and the diagram carefully before signing.

Critical for expats : the constat amiable is a French-only document. Items 1-17 use specific French legal language. If your French is shaky, take a photo of the form and call our advisor before signing : we can translate the items in real time. Phone : +33 9 87 67 37 93.

The e-constat app : digital alternative

Since 2014, French insurers offer the e-constat auto mobile app : a digital version of the paper form, downloadable on iOS and Android. It's free, available in French only, and produces a PDF that's automatically transmitted to both insurers.

e-constat is restricted to :

  • Accidents in France only ;
  • Two vehicles, no injuries ;
  • Total damage estimated under €6,500 ;
  • Both vehicles immatriculated in France ;
  • Both drivers willing to use the app jointly.
Advantages : auto-fills your details from the app's saved profile, GPS location auto-recorded, photo attachment, instant transmission to insurers, signature on screen : all in 10–15 minutes. Use the e-constat whenever possible.

For accidents involving injuries, accidents over €6,500, or with foreign-immatriculated vehicles, you must use the paper constat (or call the police).

Step by step : after an accident

1

Secure the scene

Hazard lights on, high-visibility jacket on (mandatory, in the glove box), red triangle 30m behind the vehicle. Pedestrians and passengers off the road. Call 112 (emergency) if anyone is injured.

2

Exchange details with the other driver

Names, addresses, phone numbers, insurer names and contract numbers, vehicle plates. Take photos of the other driver's licence and carte grise : quick and unambiguous.

3

Document the scene

Photos : both vehicles from multiple angles, damage close-ups, road signs, lane markings, surrounding context. Name and badge of any police officer present. Write down witness names and phone numbers.

4

Fill the constat amiable jointly

Use e-constat if eligible. Otherwise the paper form. Fill in all fields, draw the diagram, tick the circumstances. Don't admit fault verbally : only what's on the form matters.

5

Both drivers sign

Once signed, the report is binding. Each driver keeps one copy of the carbon paper. The e-constat sends both copies digitally.

6

Transmit to your insurer within 5 working days

By post (registered letter recommended), email, app or via the insurer's website. Most online insurers (Direct Assurance, Acheel, Lovys) accept the constat upload via mobile app.

Theft, fire, vandalism : non-accident claims

Theft of the vehicle

  1. File a police report (plainte) at the nearest police station within 24 hours ;
  2. Notify your insurer within 2 working days with the police report number (article L113-2 paragraph 4) ;
  3. Your insurer files an opposition à la mutation de la carte grise with the préfecture so the vehicle can't be re-registered if found ;
  4. If recovered within 30 days : you keep the vehicle. After 30 days : the insurer indemnifies you for the value at theft, then keeps the vehicle if found.

Fire of the vehicle

  1. Call 18 (firefighters) : keep their report number ;
  2. Notify your insurer immediately, no later than 5 working days ;
  3. Provide the firefighter report and any photos.

Vandalism (graffiti, scratches, slashed tires)

  1. File a police report within 24 hours ;
  2. Notify your insurer within 5 working days with the report number ;
  3. Photos of damage attached.

Glass breakage (windshield, windows)

No police report needed. Notify within 5 working days. If your contract has glass-breakage cover, most repairs go through partner garages with no out-of-pocket : just present the contract number at the garage. Carglass and France Pare-Brise cover most insurers in France.

Declaration deadlines summary

Car insurance claim declaration deadlines in France
Event Police report ? Insurer notification deadline
Accident with another vehicleOptional, if injuries or major damage5 working days
Single-vehicle accident (e.g. against a pole)No5 working days
Theft of vehicleYes, mandatory2 working days
VandalismYes, recommended5 working days
Fire of vehicleFirefighter reportImmediate, max 5 days
Glass breakageNo5 working days
Natural disaster (declared)No10 days from decree publication
Hit-and-run (other driver fled)Yes, mandatory5 working days

Source : article L113-2 of the Code des assurances. Working days = jours ouvrés, Monday to Saturday excluding bank holidays.

Missing the deadline : the insurer can refuse the claim entirely if you exceed the deadline without a justified reason (illness, hospitalisation, force majeure). Always notify on the day if possible : even a brief email or app message starts the clock.

Indemnification : how the insurer pays

After receiving the constat or claim notification :

  1. Insurer acknowledges receipt within a few days, opens a claim file with a reference number.
  2. Damage assessment : usually a partner expert visits the vehicle (or the garage) to evaluate the damage. Photos sometimes suffice for minor damage.
  3. Determination of fault : based on the constat tickboxes, your insurer applies the IRSA convention to decide fault distribution (often 0/50/100%).
  4. Indemnity offer : the insurer sends a written offer based on the assessment.
  5. You accept or contest within 30 days. Contesting can lead to a counter-expertise (your expert vs theirs) at your expense.
  6. Payment : within 30 days of acceptance, by bank transfer to your IBAN. Or directly to the repair garage if you've opted for "tiers payeur".

Total loss (epave) : if repair cost exceeds the vehicle's market value, the insurer declares the vehicle "économiquement irréparable" and indemnifies you the market value (Argus rating). You can keep the wreck (and refuse the indemnity for it) or hand it over.

Impact on bonus-malus

Your CRM (coefficient de réduction-majoration) reflects your claim history. After a claim :

  • At-fault accident (100% fault) : CRM × 1.25 (25% surcharge) ;
  • Shared fault (50% fault) : CRM × 1.125 (12.5% surcharge) ;
  • Not at fault (0%) : no impact, your CRM continues its 5%-per-year reduction ;
  • Theft, fire, vandalism, glass breakage, natural disaster : no CRM impact (article A121-1) ;
  • Hit-and-run : no CRM impact if the other driver is identified ; otherwise treated as 50% fault by some insurers.

After 2 consecutive years without an at-fault claim, the CRM surcharge starts being absorbed (at the rate of 0.95 per year).

Expat-specific tips

  1. Keep a constat amiable in the glove box. Free, issued by your insurer at subscription. Replace it with a new one once a year (carbon paper expires).
  2. Don't admit fault verbally at the scene. French insurance is documentary : only what's on the constat counts. Saying "désolé" or "c'est ma faute" doesn't bind anything legally, but don't sign the constat agreeing to fault you contest.
  3. Take photos before moving the vehicles. Vehicles must be moved off the road quickly to clear traffic, but photos of position are critical for fault determination.
  4. For accidents in another EU country, fill the constat in French if both insurers are French. Your French insurer handles the cross-border indemnity via the Green Card system.
  5. Keep all medical records if injured. Even minor whiplash can develop into a chronic condition months later : your insurer's garantie corporelle covers it only if documented from the start.
  6. Use English with your insurer if needed. Direct Assurance, Allianz, AXA International handle English claims by phone. Most online insurers (Acheel, Lovys) require French ; our advisor service (free, +33 9 87 67 37 93) can translate.

Frequently asked questions

What's the declaration deadline ?

5 working days for accidents, vandalism and glass breakage ; 2 working days for theft (with police report) ; immediately for fire ; 10 days from official decree for natural disasters. Article L113-2 of the Code des assurances.

What if the other driver refuses to fill the constat ?

Note their plate, take photos, find witnesses. Call the police (17 : gendarmerie or police nationale) : they can produce an official report. File your own claim with all evidence ; the insurer investigates. Refusing the constat is itself a sign of bad faith from the other driver and weakens their position.

What if there are injuries ?

Don't use the e-constat : call 112 or 15 (medical emergency) immediately. Police arrive automatically and produce a separate report. The constat amiable can still be filled if all parties are conscious and willing.

Will my premium go up after a claim ?

Only if you're at fault. CRM × 1.25 for 100% fault, × 1.125 for 50% shared fault. Theft, fire, vandalism, glass breakage and natural disasters have no CRM impact.

Will I get a courtesy car ?

Depends on your contract. Most comprehensive (tous risques) contracts include a "véhicule de remplacement" guarantee : usually a city car or equivalent, for the duration of repairs (capped at 30-60 days). Third-party contracts rarely include it.

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