Car Insurance in France: A Guide for Expats in 2026

Live ranking : 24 active French car insurers

Each row shows the insurer's lowest profile-tier price (monthly), the available cover tiers and Selectra score. Click "Get a quote" for a free personalised price.

24 French car insurance providers ranked by partner status and price

Insurer	Type	Tiers	Score	From	Quote
AxaPartner	Traditional	Tiers+ TR+		€13 / month	Get quote →
Direct AssurancePartner	Online	RC Tiers+ TR TR+		€14 / month	Get quote →
LovysPartner	Neo-broker	RC TR		€16 / month	Get quote →
FlitterPartner	Neo-broker	Tiers+ RC TR		€16 / month	Get quote →
L'olivier AssurancePartner	Neo-broker	Tiers+ RC TR		€19 / month	Get quote →
AprilPartner	Insurer	TR+ Tiers+ RC		€20 / month	—
LeocarePartner	Neo-broker	RC TR		€29 / month	—
AcheelPartner	Online	Tiers+ TR		€76 / month	Get quote →
Euro Assurance	Broker		—	€14 / month	—
Assu 2000	Broker	RC Tiers+ TR		€14 / month	—
Ornikar	Neo-broker	Tiers+ RC TR		€15 / month	Get quote →
Groupama	Traditional	TR Tiers+ RC		€18 / month	Get quote →
Generali	Traditional	RC Tiers+ TR		€19 / month	—
Abeille Assurances	Traditional	Tiers+ RC TR		€19 / month	—
Matmut	Traditional	RC Tiers+ TR		€20 / month	—
MMA	Traditional	Tiers+ TR+	—	€20 / month	—
MAIF	Traditional	RC		€22 / month	—
MACIF	Traditional	TR+ RC Tiers+		€23 / month	—
Crédit Agricole Assurance	Traditional	RC Tiers+ TR		€23 / month	Get quote →
Crédit Mutuel Assurances	Mutuelle		—	€24 / month	—
MAAF	Traditional	Tiers+ TR		€26 / month	—
Allianz	Traditional	Tiers+ RC TR		€26 / month	Get quote →
AGPM	Insurer	RC Tiers+ TR+		€30 / month	—
SOS Malus	Broker	RC TR		€33 / month	—

Live data from Selectra Insurance API · 24 insurers · Updated 11 May 2026. RC = third-party, Tiers+ = intermediate, TR = tous risques (comprehensive), TR+ = comprehensive extended.

Best by driver profile

Young drivers (under 25, recent licence)

Premiums are 50-100% higher than for experienced drivers. Best picks : Allianz Young Driver (telematics-tracked, lowers price after 6 months of safe driving), Direct Assurance YouDrive (PAYD young-driver package), MAAF (mutuelle, dedicated young-driver tariffs).

Experienced drivers (CRM 0.50, 13+ claim-free years)

Maximum bonus, lowest premiums available. Best picks : L'olivier Assurance (cheapest online), Direct Assurance, MAIF (best satisfaction). Also worth checking GMF and MMA for their loyalty discounts.

New arrivals in France

Restart at CRM 1.00 unless you bring a translated attestation d'antécédents. Best picks : Direct Assurance (accepts foreign no-claims), Allianz International, AXA International, GAN Eurocourtage. Full no-claims-bonus guide.

Malussé drivers (CRM > 1.00)

Mainstream insurers may refuse to cover you. Best picks : SOS Malus (specialised broker), EuroAssurance, Direct Assurance (some malus tolerance).

Low-mileage drivers (under 8,000 km/year)

Pay-as-you-drive contracts can save 30-50%. Best picks : Direct Assurance YouDrive, Allianz Conduire Mieux, Wilov. Full PAYD guide.

The legal obligation

In France, every motor vehicle "in circulation" : including parked on the public road : must be insured at minimum for responsabilité civile (RC). The rule was set by the loi du 27 février 1958, codified at article L211-1 of the Code des assurances. It applies to every car, motorbike, scooter and quad.

Penalties for driving uninsured

• Up to €3,750 fine (article L324-2 of the Code de la route) ;
• Possible licence suspension for up to 3 years ;
• Possible confiscation of the vehicle ;
• If you cause an accident, you'll be personally liable for the entire damage : potentially hundreds of thousands of euros.

In addition, the FVA (Fichier des Véhicules Assurés) records every insured vehicle in real time. Police checks and automated fines now cross-reference this database : driving uninsured is detected without a stop.

Bonus-malus (CRM) explained

The coefficient de réduction-majoration (CRM) : usually called bonus-malus : is the multiplier applied to your base premium based on your claim history. Article A121-1 of the Code des assurances defines the mechanism.

• Starts at 1.00 for a new driver or new arrival in France ;
• Multiplied by 0.95 per claim-free year (5% reduction) ;
• Multiplied by 1.25 per at-fault claim (25% surcharge) ;
• Floor at 0.50 (50% bonus, reached after 13 claim-free years) ;
• Ceiling at 3.50 (250% surcharge for serial offenders) ;
• The CRM follows the main driver, not the vehicle.

Foreign no-claims bonus

This is one of the biggest financial pains for new arrivals. Most French insurers don't recognise foreign no-claims records automatically. Even with 30 years claim-free in the UK, you'll likely restart at CRM 1.00. Some insurers : Direct Assurance, Allianz International, AXA International : are more flexible if you provide a translated attestation d'antécédents from your previous insurer. Mutuelles like MAIF and Matmut almost never accept foreign records. Full guide on transferring your no-claims bonus.

How to choose your car insurer

1. Match the cover tier to your car's value. Comprehensive on a 15-year-old Clio is overpriced ; third-party on a 1-year-old Tesla is reckless. The breakeven is usually around 5 years of vehicle age.
2. Get the right profile. Most premium variation comes from your bonus-malus, your postal code and your declared mileage.
3. Check the franchise (excess). Cheap contracts often hide a €500+ franchise. Read the conditions before signing.
4. Look at the assistance clause. 50 km from home is the legal minimum. Some insurers offer "0 km assistance" : useful if your car is old.
5. Verify English support if your French is shaky. Direct Assurance, Allianz, AXA International handle English ; most mutuelles don't.

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance mandatory in France ?

Yes. Third-party (responsabilité civile) is the legal minimum for any motor vehicle in circulation. Loi du 27 février 1958, article L211-1 of the Code des assurances. Driving uninsured is a criminal offence.

How much will I pay ?

For a typical Clio in a French city : €350–€450 for third-party with a 13-year bonus, €500–€750 as a new arrival, €800–€1,200 as a young driver. Tous risques adds €200–€500 on top.

Will my UK or US no-claims bonus transfer ?

Rarely automatic. Some insurers accept a translated attestation d'antécédents ; most reset you to CRM 1.00 for the first year. Full guide.

Can I drive in France with my foreign licence ?

As a tourist, yes : for up to 12 months. As a French resident, you must exchange your licence within 12 months. After that deadline, your French insurance becomes void in case of accident. Country-by-country rules. New to driving in France ? Read our driving in France hub first.

How do I insure an imported car ?

Subscribe a temporary contract (1 to 90 days) while you wait for the French carte grise. Once registered, switch to a regular annual contract.

Can I switch any time ?

Yes, after 12 months under Loi Hamon. The new insurer handles cancellation. Before 12 months : you need a legitimate motive (move, sale of the vehicle, etc.).