By Mandatory cover in 60 seconds
What the law requires
- Third-party (RC obligatoire) on every motor vehicle in circulation, including parked on public roads.
- Covers damage YOU cause to others : people, vehicles, property.
- Does NOT cover your own car in case of accident, theft, vandalism or fire.
Penalties for driving uninsured
- €3,750 fine, suspension or confiscation of the vehicle.
- Detected automatically via the FVA database.
- If you cause damage : personally liable for hundreds of thousands of euros.
Is car insurance really mandatory in France ?
Yes. Article L211-1 of the Code des assurances (originally the loi du 27 février 1958) makes it illegal to operate a motor vehicle in France without civil-liability insurance. The rule applies to :
- Cars, vans, motorbikes, scooters, quads.
- Self-balancing devices over 25 km/h (electric scooters above the speed limit are now classed as motor vehicles).
- Even parked vehicles on the public road must be insured.
- Even a non-running vehicle stored on the public road or in a public car park.
Only vehicles permanently off-road in a private space (locked garage, private barn) and definitively decommissioned at the préfecture are exempt : and even then, you typically keep a "garage" insurance for fire/theft.
Penalties for driving uninsured
- €3,750 fine (article L324-2 of the Code de la route) : usually reduced to €500 forfaitaire on first offence ;
- Licence suspension for up to 3 years ;
- Vehicle confiscation possible, especially in case of accident ;
- Compulsory traffic awareness course at your expense ;
- If you cause an accident, you're personally liable for the entire damage. Bodily injuries can run to hundreds of thousands of euros, and the FGAO (state guarantee fund) will recover the costs from you for the rest of your life if needed.
What third-party (RC) covers : and doesn't
Responsabilité civile covers the damage you cause to others : never yourself or your own vehicle. Article R211-4 of the Code des assurances defines the scope :
RC includes
- Bodily injury caused to other road users : passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, other drivers. Unlimited by law.
- Material damage to other vehicles and property. Capped contractually (typically €100m+, more than enough).
- Damage to your own passengers : at the legal minimum. They count as third parties to you.
- Civil liability of the legal driver : including authorised drivers (spouse, family) listed on the contract.
RC does NOT include
- Damage to your own vehicle, regardless of fault.
- Theft, vandalism, fire of your vehicle.
- Glass breakage on your vehicle.
- Natural disasters affecting your vehicle.
- Personal injuries to YOU as the driver. Your own bodily injuries are covered only if you upgrade to garantie du conducteur.
For the additional cover, you need to upgrade to comprehensive cover (tous risques) or pick the intermediate tiers étendu tier.
Who should pick third-party only ?
Third-party at the strict legal minimum makes sense for :
- Old cars (10+ years) with low resale value (under €5,000) : paying for comprehensive cover that would only refund this small amount in case of loss is poor economics.
- Experienced drivers with maximum bonus (CRM 0.50, 13+ claim-free years) who confidently won't cause an at-fault accident.
- Garaged off-road vehicles used rarely and not exposed to theft.
- Tight-budget profiles where the €200–€500 annual saving over comprehensive cover is meaningful.
For everyone else : newer cars, leasing, financed cars, urban parking with theft risk, frequent drivers, recent licences : pick comprehensive cover or the intermediate tier instead.
Live third-party quotes for your profile
Switch the profile selector below to refresh the top 3 cheapest third-party (RC) offers for that driver type, with full coverage detail and monthly price. Pulled live from the Insurance API.
Conducteur bonussé
Tiers
Worry-free everyday driving.
13.79 € /month
- Third-party liability bodily injury
- Responsabilité civile dommages matériels auto
- Legal defence & recourse
- Driver protection : 400,000 €
- 0 km roadside assistance
| Coverages | Tiers |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Third-party liability bodily injury, Responsabilité civile dommages matériels auto, Legal defence & recourse, Driver protection | |
| 0 km roadside assistance | |
| Protection juridique automobile | |
| Assistance > 25 km | |
| Garantie conducteur renforcée | |
| Véhicule de remplacement | |
| Rachat de franchise |
Average customer ratings
Conducteur bonussé
Tiers
Worry-free everyday driving.
15.33 € /month
- Third-party liability bodily injury
- Responsabilité civile dommages matériels auto : 1,000,000,000 €
- Legal defence & recourse
- Driver protection : 200,000 €
- 0 km roadside assistance
| Coverages | Tiers |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Third-party liability bodily injury, Responsabilité civile dommages matériels auto, Legal defence & recourse, Driver protection | |
| Garantie conducteur renforcée | |
| Véhicule de remplacement | |
| 0 km roadside assistance | |
| Prêt de volant | |
| Assistance > 25 km |
Average customer ratings
Conducteur bonussé
Tiers
Worry-free everyday driving.
18.29 € /month
- Third-party liability bodily injury
- Responsabilité civile dommages matériels auto
- Legal defence & recourse
- Driver protection
- 0 km roadside assistance
| Coverages | Tiers |
|---|---|
| Mandatory coverages Third-party liability bodily injury, Responsabilité civile dommages matériels auto, Legal defence & recourse, Driver protection | |
| Véhicule de remplacement | |
| 0 km roadside assistance | |
| Valeur à neuf | |
| Protection juridique automobile |
Average customer ratings
Live ranking : 18 insurers offering RC cover
Sorted by Selectra score then by partner status. Each insurer below offers at least one third-party (level=1) formula. Click "Get a quote" for a free personalised price.
| Insurer | Type | Score | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|
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Neo-broker |  |
Free quote → |
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Free quote → |
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Free quote → |
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Neo-broker | |
Compare → |
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Online |  |
Free quote → |
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Insurer |  |
Compare → |
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Traditional | |
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Traditional | |
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Traditional | |
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Traditional | |
Free quote → |
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Traditional | |
Free quote → |
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Traditional | |
Compare → |
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Traditional | |
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Traditional | |
Free quote → |
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Live data from Selectra Insurance API · Updated 7 May 2026.
How to subscribe online
Most French car insurers now offer 100% online subscription. The process takes 10–20 minutes and the contract typically takes effect the next day at midnight.
- Gather your documents :
- Driver's licence (permis) : French or foreign with translation if needed ;
- Carte grise (vehicle registration) ;
- Relevé d'information (no-claims certificate from previous insurer) ;
- French RIB (bank details) for the direct debit ;
- Proof of address.
- Get a quote on each insurer's website. Most ask for licence age, vehicle, postal code, parking type, mileage and bonus-malus.
- Compare apples to apples : same cover tier, same options, same franchise.
- Subscribe on your chosen insurer's site. Some require a phone confirmation, most don't.
- Pay the first instalment : usually a monthly direct debit, sometimes the first month upfront.
- Receive the attestation by email within minutes. Print it and keep one in the car (along with the carte verte).
How much does third-party cover cost ?
There is no usable public table of mandatory-cover prices : insurers calibrate every quote against the driver's CRM, the vehicle, the postal code, the declared use and the claim history. To see real prices for your profile, use the live comparator above — switch between driver types (Bonussé, Jeune conducteur, Petit rouleur, Malussé, Résilié) and see the top 3 third-party offers for each, with full coverage detail and monthly price.
For a tailored quote with your CRM and vehicle, our advisor handles the comparison in your name (free service) :
Expat-specific tips
- Bring your foreign no-claims certificate. Get it from your previous insurer, traduced by a sworn translator. Some insurers (Direct Assurance, Allianz, AXA International) accept it ; others reset you to CRM 1.00. Full guide.
- Exchange your foreign driving licence within 12 months. If your country is on the reciprocal-exchange list (UK, US states, Canada, Australia partial), failing to exchange invalidates your French insurance after the deadline. Country list.
- Use temporary insurance for imported vehicles while you wait for the carte grise. Temporary insurance guide.
- Don't lie about mileage to lower the premium. The insurer can verify via garage invoices and refuse the indemnity in case of claim. If you genuinely drive less than 8,000 km/year, look at pay-as-you-drive.
- Carry the green card (carte verte). Free with every policy, mandatory for European travel. Some insurers issue digital carte verte (e-carte verte) : accepted by police as of 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Is car insurance always mandatory ?
Yes, even for parked vehicles on public roads or in public car parks. Only definitively decommissioned vehicles in private spaces are exempt.
What does third-party cover ?
Damage you cause to others : bodily injuries (unlimited) and material damage (capped contractually). It does not cover your own vehicle, your own injuries, theft, fire, vandalism or glass breakage. Those need comprehensive cover.
How much will I pay ?
For a typical Clio in a French city : €350-€450 with maximum bonus, €500-€650 as a new arrival, €800-€1,100 as a young driver under 25.
Can I subscribe entirely online ?
Yes, all the insurers in our ranking above accept online subscription. Process takes 10-20 minutes ; the attestation arrives by email immediately after payment.
What if I drive uninsured ?
Detected automatically via the FVA database. €3,750 fine, possible licence suspension, possible vehicle confiscation. If you cause an accident : personally liable for the entire damage, including bodily injuries.
Continue reading
- Comprehensive cover (tous risques) : the alternative tier
- Compare car insurance : full live ranking across all tiers
- Change car insurance : Loi Hamon step-by-step
- File a claim : constat amiable
- Driving with a foreign licence
- No-claims bonus from abroad
- Back to the car insurance hub