What is Civil Liability Insurance?

Civil liability insurance (assurance responsabilité civile in French) is a type of insurance that covers damage or harm caused to others by the insured person, whether accidentally or intentionally.

Damage could include accidentally breaking a car’s side mirror while cycling past it. As for harm, it would look more like cycling into someone and breaking their wrist. 

This blog post will explain what Civil Liability Insurance covers, why all French people have it, its importance in the context of My English Sister, and how you can get it in France.

1. What does Civil Liability Insurance cover?

2. Why do all French people have Civil Liability Insurance?

3. Do I need Civil Liability Insurance to work at My English Sister?

4. How can I get Civil Liability Insurance in France?

What does Civil Liability Insurance cover?

Civil Liability Insurance covers damage you accidentally cause to other people or their belongings. That could mean breaking a friend’s phone, knocking over a lamp in someone’s house, or your dog escaping and chewing up a neighbour’s garden. 

It doesn’t cover damage to your own things; it is about protecting others from the consequences of your actions.

Why do all French people have Civil Liability Insurance?

In many situations, Civil Liability Insurance is mandatory - for example, when enrolling in a school, renting an apartment, or starting an internship. These are legal requirements that ensure you are covered in case anything goes wrong during those activities.

The strong emphasis that French culture places on solidarity, social order, and collectivism also contributes to the prevalence of Civil Liability Insurance. There is a general belief that people are not just responsible for themselves, but for the community. Civil Liability Insurance provides a sort of safety net that enforces this norm.

Additionally, Civil Liability Insurance is very affordable and convenient. It is often bundled with other policies, such as housing insurance (assurance multirisque habitation), meaning you might already be covered without realising it!

Do I need Civil Liability Insurance to work at My English Sister?

In the context of My English Sister, Civil Liability Insurance is not mandatory. However, it could still come in handy.

Employees at MES are covered by the company's professional liability insurance (responsabilité civile professionnelle). It should be noted that this insurance only covers you during the work shift itself, meaning if you cause damage before or after official working hours, or doing something that is not directly related to your work duties, you may not be covered.

It is a common practice among French nationals to have a Civil Liability Insurance and should be considered carefully.

How can I get Civil Liability Insurance in France?

In many cases, Civil Liability Insurance comes as part of a larger insurance package, such as home or student insurance. The first thing you should do is double-check if it’s not already included in your existing policies.

If you do not already have it, check the table below to find the most popular providers in France and their approximate rates.

Insurer	Civil Liability Insurance	Price	Link
MAIF (Mutuelle d’Assurance des Instituteurs de France)	Included in home insurance policies. They also offer standalone Civil Liability Insurance	Bundled: 150-300 € per year (depends on home location and size) Standalone: 20-40 € per year	MAIF
MACIF (Mutuelle Assurance des Commerçants et Industriels de France)	Included in home insurance policies. They also offer standalone Civil Liability Insurance	Bundled: 120-280 € per year (depends on home location and size) Standalone: 25-50 € per year	MACIF
AXA	Bundling home insurance with Civil Liability Insurance is recommended, but standalone plans exist	Bundled: 200-350 € per year (depends on region and coverage level) Standalone: 30-60 € per year	AXA
Allianz	Included in home insurance policies. They also offer standalone Civil Liability Insurance, although typically more for business customers	Bundled: 180-350 € per year (depending on housing situation) Standalone: 40-70 € annually	Allianz
Groupama	Mostly bundled with home insurance, standalone Civil Liability Insurance policies are rare	Bundled: 130-300 € annually Standalone: 25-45 € per year if offered separately	Groupama

Civil liability insurance might sound like something formal and complicated, but in reality, it’s incredibly simple and can save you a lot of stress if something unexpected happens.

It’s cheap, easy to get, and often already included in other insurance plans you may already have. Whether you're renting your first apartment, taking care of kids, or just trying to be a responsible adult in France, having this insurance means you’re covered.