Car insurance: the bonus for almost everyone The continuing decline in the number of accidents has fostered the rise of the bonus.

The system of bonus benefits to nearly all insured cars in France, a situation encouraged by the continued decline in the number of accidents which raises the question of the mechanism itself, more and more convoluted by the insurers. Approximately 97% of the insured car had a bonus in 2008, almost two thirds (64%) being achieved at the same 50 bonus, the highest possible level, according to figures published by the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA).

If the proportion of drivers in bonus has changed only marginally in recent years it has still benefited from recent measures of road safety, especially in speed. "There are fewer and fewer" malussés "," they say in the mutual insurer Matmut. The system said to reduce / increase or bonus / penalty as defined by the Act prohibits theoretically offer good drivers a reduction in premium above 50% (or bonus 50). But a ruling by the Court of Justice of European Communities, released in 2004, paved the way for tariff preferences going beyond that threshold.
However, "the insurers, irrespective of their distribution channels, including exclusive distributors on the internet or by phone," all have an irreducible level of contribution required to cover make management and sharing, consider Arnaud Yann , head of auto division Macif. Thus, if the end of the bonus / malus could afford to drop a little contribution of good drivers, it would probably upsetting the principle of sharing that allows a relative alignment of contributions for all insured.

Auto insurance. The limits of the bonus-malus

Taking advantage to almost all French motorists, the bonus system is less and less business insurers ...
There are fewer and fewer customers malussés "is admittedly among insurers! Not surprising, since, according to the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA), 97% of French motorists received a bonus in 2008. Better still, almost two thirds (64%) even reached the 50% bonus. It should be seen as the result of recent road safety measures, especially in speed. The disadvantage is that the system now seems fixed.

A legal loophole
Indeed, the bonus / penalty, as defined by the Act prohibits theoretically offer good drivers a reduction in premium above 50%. However, a decision of the Court of Justice of European Communities, released in 2004, paved the way for tariff preferences going beyond that threshold. Imitating Macif who had anticipated the call, and Axa Matmut rushed into the breach to offer additional premium reductions, which can reach 65% of the basic premium after six years the bonus 50. As a response, MAAF and MMA were launched in 2007 the bonus "definitive", which blocks the contribution to 50% of basic rate for drivers 50 without the bonus claim responsibility (accident caused) for three years. In the same spirit, AXA now offers bonus "long term", which does vary the contribution after the second claim responsibility for good drivers, while the law provides that this provision for a single accident caused.

Possible extent
Behind the sacrosanct 50 bonus will also disguise other benefits, which raises the question of the logic of bonus / malus. "The insurers all have an irreducible level of contribution required to cover administrative costs and pooling, consider Arnaud Yann, head of auto division Macif. Thus, if the end of the bonus / malus could afford to drop a little contribution of good drivers, it would probably upsetting the principle of sharing that allows a relative contributions of harmonization.

Mutant Insurance launches new offer of insurance: Auto Temporary

Insuring your vehicle, whatever its frequency of use is a legal requirement. In response, the majority of drivers agreed annual general insurance except in cases where the law permits the use of term insurance: export or import of a vehicle, leaving the auction room ...
However, some drivers do not meet this legal requirement, for lack of funds (lower purchasing power, unemployment, job insecurity) or by choice. To be valid, they may nevertheless be forced temporarily to make sure: if test requirement requiring such insurance or, if the vehicle immobilizer and withdrawal of registration following a default in insurance.
To give a concrete answer to all these situations, Mutant Insurance has launched this new assertiveness was the "Temporary Auto.
The contract "Temporary Auto" is composed of two compulsory coverages and covers both private and business trips. It is characterized by the choice of 7 of contract terms . Each of these terms has a fixed price. For example, for insurance for 60 days in France: 4,54 € / day. To qualify for this contract must be between 23 and 70 years and a driver's license more than 2 years, owning a home in France, and be sole driver. Disaster and if the driver is not the subscriber, a deductible of 750 € will be applied. Designed with insurance companies ARISA (for vehicles registered in the city - outside Bouches du Rhône) and AXERIA Iard this new product is marketed by the 200 shops Mutant Assurances (metropolitan France and overseas departments) and through its network of 900 dealers.
"Temporary Auto 'complements the range of" automobile "Mutant Assurances consists of 3 forms with economic guarantees fundamental ECO Auto, Auto and Auto PLUS ECO ECO Ultimate.

Insurance Auto : The location and recovery of stolen vehicles with CobraTrak Recovery

Cobra innovates and launches CobraTrak Recovery geolocation satellite vehicle stolen at the same price as less efficient technologies. Cobra democratized and tracking technologie developed for high-end vehicles.

The Advantages of Cobra:

* The ability to locate in real time the vehicle around the world
* Operation system: vehicles of the police can locate the stolen vehicle without specific equipment
* Cobra teams recover vehicle stolen in 36 European countries in cooperation with law enforcement local
* Cobra is partner of several manufacturers premium
* Convention Department of the Interior signed June 22, 2004 in France
* CobraTrak Recovery allows the location of the vehicle computer and mobile phone

"With CobraTrak Recovery, we provide the general public with innovations developed at European level with leading manufacturers. Already leading the segment of high-end, we aim to become also a few years, first on products more widely, "said David TuchBant, CEO of Cobra France and Chairman of Identicar .

How it works?

CobraTrak recovery work through a box the size of a mobile phone with GPS and GSM antennas integrated. Posed to a specialist approved by Cobra directly or concession so undetectable, it can geotag the vehicle and inform the client and platform monitoring and assistance in case Cobra alert. In a moving vehicle without the ignition key or disconnect the battery, an SMS is sent automatically to the customer and flight procedure is initiated.

The customer could also reach him by phone the same platform Cobra noting the flight. The vehicle is then traced by Cobra in France and throughout Europe. The vehicle is then intercepted by the Forces of Order and returned to the owner. An agreement was signed with the Ministry of the Interior in France and many platforms Cobra allow the intervention of law enforcement authorities in over 36 countries while maintaining a single point of contact for the customer: Cobra France.

Auto, home: what to expect in 2010

Insurers multiply promotional offers contracts on their car. But the comprehensive home, they are more expensive.
Maaf Assurances wasted no time. Since late August, it launched a major campaign in the media and from customers to reassure all those who had not yet asked the question: 1st January, it will not increase rates for its auto insurance! Both precipitation was surprised the other insurers. Some do not revise their prices until 1 April. And among those who fit earlier this year, many have not yet decided on their pricing policy for 2010. However, few have responded. The GMF, for example, said she does not to increase rates next year, and it has lowered by 17% since 2004.

The French have indeed made great discounts in recent years on their contract auto, car insurers have benefited from the decline in the number of accidents to reduce their premiums. Motorists willing to play the competition and have often received very attractive terms.
In recent months more, companies have stepped up promotions to gain market share: reducing the premium of the second car, two months free for new members ... In this competitive market, they are courting such good drivers, who have a bonus of 50%. Over 64% of motorists. After fighting for the win, insurers are now trying to retain, the image Maaf Assurances, which launched the bonus to life, one that never loses ... provided they do not change insurance.

Insurers can they continue this path? In 2008 the French Federation of Insurance Companies had noted a further decline in the frequency of claims ... with the slightest movement on the roads, particularly due to high fuel prices in the first half of 2008. "But this year, the storm Klaus and hailstorms have weighed on the accounts. And the insurers do not copy for further improvement of driver behavior, "said Cyrille Chartier-Kastler, President of Facts & Figures, a consulting firm specializing in strategy in insurance. This year, they should therefore try to simply leave their prices unchanged, or even, for some, to increase slightly. "Premiums would vary from 0 to 3%. But insurers may alter their pricing policy on customers, such prices increase slightly for those already insured in order to fund more attractive offers for new customers need to win, "said Cyrille Chartier-Kastler.

Increases in sight for home insurance

The situation is less desirable for home insurance. Competition among insurers is much less keen on these contracts, perhaps because the premium, which often is around 100 to 150 euros per year, is too modest to encourage French to compare prices, and give the wrong change insurer. In recent years, premiums have been increased. It is true that they are often indexed to the cost of construction, as are the guarantees (eg the maximum value of the furniture may be refunded in case of fire). However, the construction cost had soared in recent years. "In 2008, the comprehensive home have seen their premiums increase by 5 to 7%. This year, the cost of construction has not progressed, but the number of claims, including claims heavier, should lead to a further increase, probably between 2 and 5%, "says Cyril Chartier-Kastler.

To ease the addition, consumers can not rely on them. They must seek the least expensive insurance, but also to clean up the guarantees. Often because they have long been regarded their housing contract, they are more suited to their needs.