cancelling insurance

[Patf]

This is something I found out today.

As we are very short of income at the moment I thought of the idea of just using the van for a while, and not renewing the insurance on my small car. I went into the Axa office, and the agent told me the only way you can do this is put the car away and hand in the carte grise at the prefecture.

He suggested instead he could reduce the premium to a minimum, which worked out at about half the cost. Losing breakdown cover and going 3rd party (I think.)

Is this right, or is he trying to reduce any loss he might have if I cancel altogether?

 

[Clair]

This is correct, unfortunately.

My sister had to pay for her car to remain in her garage for 6 months whilst she was working abroad...

[allanb]

I was told by my French insurance company, soon after I brought a car to France, that even if your car is in your garage and not used on the road you still have to maintain at least third-party liability insurance.  At the time I couldn't understand why the law would require this - and apparently they couldn't explain it - but now I think I do.

Thanks to another post on this forum (I would give credit if I could remember who it was) I now understand that under the international convention motor insurers are required to cover an insured vehicle against third-party liability even if it is being driven by somebody without the authority of the owner.  This would be a plausible reason for the law: even if you were not using your car, somebody might break into your garage, steal it, drive it away and injure someone.  If the insurer is legally obliged to provide cover, he can reasonably expect you to pay the premium.

[AnOther]

Subject has been covered previously HERE

 

[allanb]

So it has.  Thanks.

[Patf]

 

thanks for the replies - I don't remember reading the other thread.

So it seems, I can't save much that way.