Rehousing, payment of an advance... Exceptional measures after bad weather in the north of France

The measures were expected in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais, which have been facing devastating floods for more than two weeks. Traveling to the sub-prefecture of Pas-de-Calais, in Saint-Omer, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, wanted to be reassuring and defended “clear commitments which will be kept, on the part of the State and on the part of insurers.

The government will publish a decree “from this week” in order to “anticipate until November the coverage of rehousing for six months (...), in addition to insurers”. The latter also undertake to pay “advance payments to the victims as quickly as possible to respond to the emergency needs generated by these floods”, indicates a press release from the main representative body of the sector, France Assureur, which requests in concreto its members to “pay the affected policyholders an advance within the days following their request after an initial assessment”.

Insurance experts from neighboring regions will be mobilized to deal with the multiple demands caused by the massive floods. This will benefit individuals and businesses alike. Companies holding a multi-risk contract will benefit from “rapid compensation, both for damages suffered and operating losses”, specifies a press release from Bercy.

An emergency system has also been put in place for affected businesses. In addition to the opening of partial activity, social deadlines may be postponed “for companies and self-employed people in greatest difficulty”. Emergency aid of up to 2,000 euros can also be paid by the Workers' Social Protection Council. Departmental advisors to businesses in difficulty have been appointed.