Liability insurance: essential for everyday life
Many everyday events can occur in which you cause damage to another person or to an object belonging to them. At college, at your sports club, at home, or on the street, you need to be covered by civil liability insurance. Your insurance will cover the damage caused. What exactly does this involve? What accidents are covered? How can you get insurance—and make sure you’re properly covered?
What exactly is civil liability?
A plant lover has placed flower pots on a windowsill and one of them accidentally falls on a passerby: head injury, firefighters, hospital… Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. The example is exaggerated, but there are many others for which civil liability may be incurred. An opponent accidentally injured during a soccer or rugby match, a spilled drink that ruins another student’s computer, a pedestrian accidentally hit while riding a bike, an object broken in a store…
Civil liability is generally defined as damage caused to others. To be clear, this damage must be caused by negligence or carelessness, i.e., unintentionally. This damage may be caused by you, objects belonging to you, or even your pet. It is covered by your insurance in the form of civil liability coverage—or that of your parents if you still live with them.
The damage is therefore paid for by the insurance, with a few exceptions. There are limitations, also known as exclusions. These concern damage that you may cause to yourself or your loved ones, as well as damage caused intentionally. One point to note concerns animals, particularly dogs: many policies exclude dogs classified as “potentially dangerous,” i.e., those in categories 1 and 2.
Returning to civil liability, the coverage does not cover damage caused when you are driving a car or any other motor vehicle. This means you need car insurance.
Where can you find civil liability insurance?
If you live with your parents or rent student accommodation, civil liability coverage is included in your comprehensive home insurance, which is mandatory. This means that damage caused inside and outside your home is covered.
If you are in a different situation, you can take out a personal civil liability policy.
We offer civil liability insurance that is fully tailored to students! More info here.
In all cases, and we are thinking in particular of shared accommodation situations where a single comprehensive home insurance policy is taken out for all tenants, be sure to check certain points:
• The scope of coverage and the activities covered
• Exclusions, already mentioned in this article (but there may be others)
• Deductibles and coverage limits, i.e., the amount you will have to pay in any case and the maximum amounts paid by the insurer
Being well insured means enjoying a more peaceful student life. In the event of a claim, specifically damage caused to a third party, you must report it to your insurer within five days. Finally, we are talking here about damage suffered by other people.
Civil liability insurance does not cover damage that you yourself may suffer. In this case, you need personal accident insurance.
Our Indispensable (€16/year) and Security (€28/year) insurance policies offer you coverage at a low price!
Three questions about civil liability coverage
How do I obtain a civil liability certificate?
You may be asked for a civil liability insurance certificate by your educational institution, the sports club you have just joined, or a company offering you an internship. The easiest way is to obtain one as soon as you take out a policy (comprehensive home insurance or personal liability insurance) by requesting it from your insurer. At Smerra, it is automatically made available in your personal account. You can also file claims online for added convenience!
The Smerra teams are available to assist and advise you throughout the year in choosing your insurance or filing a claim.
I am a student but I also have a remote job. Is civil liability coverage sufficient?
As a student, it is unlikely that you are already engaged in a regulated activity for which professional civil liability insurance is mandatory. Comprehensive home insurance and civil liability insurance may be sufficient.
I have to do an internship abroad. Will I be covered by my civil liability insurance?
The certificate issued by your insurer must include the words “company internship.” This is one of the guarantees you should check when taking out your policy. It is then valid in France, but also abroad… Check your insurance policy carefully (Smerra certificates include this wording) as some clauses may exclude certain countries, particularly those classified as “red” or “orange” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – see the Travel Advice page. In addition, some countries, notably the USA, will require you to have legal protection. Check that this is included in your civil liability coverage. If in doubt, or if you feel that you are not sufficiently covered, you can take out international student insurance.
