Aréas Assurances (Aréas Dommages / Aréas Vie)
Aréas
Aréas is a motor third-party liability insurance for the France market with no online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
Aréas settles repair costs directly with its approved repair network partners (2,500 garages and 1,500 glass repairers), so the policyholder does not need to advance funds except for the deductible and/or VAT, when using network providers.
Geographic scope
Metropolitan France and French overseas departments/territories
All guarantees apply in Metropolitan France, Guadeloupe, Guyane, La Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. For trips of up to 3 months, cover extends to EU member states, the Holy See, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and countries where the green card is valid. Catastrophes naturelles/technologiques/attentats also cover Wallis et Futuna.
Unique selling points
- Access to a large approved repair network of 2,500 garages and 1,500 glass repair specialists with direct claims settlement, avoiding upfront costs for the policyholder.
- Unlimited bodily injury liability plus property damage liability up to €100 million and ecological damage cover up to €1.12 million, well above typical minimums.
- A permanent no-claims bonus ('bonus pérenne') that protects long-standing claim-free policyholders from malus increases after their first at-fault claim.
- 25% deductible reduction on damage claims when repairs are carried out through Aréas' approved repair network.
- Premium discounts for eco-friendly vehicles (5% for electric/hybrid/gas) and low-mileage drivers (up to 15% for under 5,000-8,000 km/year).
Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability
unlimited
Only in Priorité Essentielle, Priorité Étendue, Priorité Optimum
Aréas' compulsory third-party liability guarantees unlimited compensation for bodily injury caused to third parties by the insured vehicle, included in all three formulas (Priorité Essentielle, Étendue, Optimum).
Property damage liability
€100,000,000
Only in Priorité Essentielle, Priorité Étendue, Priorité Optimum
Property damage caused to third parties is covered up to €100 million; ecological damage (préjudice écologique) is covered up to €1.12 million. Included in all three formulas.
Legal defence / protection juridique
€8,000
Only in Priorité Essentielle, Priorité Étendue, Priorité Optimum
Défense Pénale et Recours Suite à Accident (DPRSA) and Protection Juridique are included in all three formulas. Under Protection Juridique, Aréas' total settlements (lawyer fees, costs) cannot exceed €8,000 TTC per claim; arbitration costs in case of disagreement are covered up to €765 TTC. Under the separate assistance convention, legal representation fees abroad are covered up to €770 TTC and criminal bail can be advanced up to €7,700 per person.
Green card / international motor insurance card
Covered
Only in Priorité Essentielle, Priorité Étendue, Priorité Optimum
The insurance automatically provides green card cover in all countries where the international green card is valid, for trips of up to 3 months maximum; in France the green card only constitutes a presumption of insurance. North Korea is an excluded country, and the updated exclusion list is published on AWP France's website.
Roadside assistance
Optional
Only in Assistance 25km, Assistance 0km, Assistance 0km et véhicule de remplacement
Assistance is an optional add-on in every formula (Assistance 25km is an option in all three formulas; Assistance 0km and Assistance 0km + replacement vehicle are unavailable in Priorité Essentielle and optional in Étendue/Optimum). Under the assistance convention: roadside repair (dépannage) is covered up to €185 (€300 at night/weekends/holidays); towing (remorquage) up to €185 in Metropolitan France or €250 abroad (€300 at night/weekends/holidays); hotel costs up to €80/night, max 2 nights; taxi costs up to €80; medical costs abroad up to €153,000 per beneficiary; a replacement vehicle is provided for up to 7 days (breakdown), 15 days (accident) or 30 days (theft); the breakdown assistance formula includes a 25km deductible from the home address.
Driver's personal accident guarantee (Garantie du conducteur)
€400,000 – €2,000,000
Only in Garantie du conducteur 400 000 €, Garantie du conducteur 1 000 000 €, Garantie du conducteur 2 000 000 €
The €400,000 driver accident guarantee (Niveaux 1 and 2) is included in all three formulas; higher levels of €1,000,000 and €2,000,000 are available as paid options in every formula. In case of the driver's death, heirs receive an immediate €3,500 advance on the indemnity. Indemnity is reduced by 50% if the driver was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. If Niveau 3 is subscribed, a death capital is also paid, and cover ceases at the end of the insurance year in which the insured turns 80.
Passenger accident cover
Covered
Only in Priorité Essentielle, Priorité Étendue, Priorité Optimum
Passengers of the insured vehicle are indemnified as third parties under the compulsory Responsabilité Civile guarantee for bodily injury; they are not covered by the Garantie du conducteur, which applies only to the driver. Passengers not transported under the safety conditions required by the Code des assurances (article A.211-3) are excluded from this cover.
Key conditions
Territorial scope
Coverage applies in Metropolitan France, Guadeloupe, Guyane, La Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. For trips of up to 3 months, most guarantees extend to EU member states, the Holy See, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and countries where the green card is valid.
Green card rules
The green card is the international motor insurance card justifying compulsory third-party liability cover; in France it only creates a presumption of insurance. North Korea is excluded, and the updated list of excluded countries is available on AWP France's website (paysexclus.votreassistance.fr).
Driver restrictions
A 'novice driver' is any driver aged 25 or under with less than two years of insurance history, or aged over 25 holding a licence for less than two years. Specific deductible surcharges (clauses 021, 022, 024, 025, 026) apply when the vehicle is driven by a non-designated driver, a novice driver, or under a 'prêt de volant' (loaned wheel) situation.
Claim notification deadline
Claims must be declared within 2 working days for theft/attempted theft, and within 5 working days for other claims (extended to 10 days from publication of a natural or technological catastrophe order). A police complaint must be filed within 48 hours in case of theft.
Bonus-malus rules
The bonus-malus (réduction-majoration) coefficient starts at 1. It decreases by 5% per claim-free year (7% for 'Tournées'/professional usage), down to a floor of 0.50, and increases by 25% per at-fault claim (20% for 'Tournées' usage), up to a ceiling of 3.50. No malus is applied to the first claim occurring after 3 consecutive years at the 0.50 floor coefficient ('bonus pérenne').
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Repair network with direct settlement
AREAS settles repair costs directly with approved repair network partners (2,500 garages and 1,500 glass repairers) rather than reimbursing the policyholder
SourcePermanent bonus scheme
After 3 years without claims or accidents and maintaining CRM 0.50 (no-claim status), policyholders receive permanent bonus protection with no premium increases regardless of future claims
SourceFranchise reduction with approved repairers
Policyholders receive 25% reduction on deductible when using AREAS approved repair network
SourceEco-friendly vehicle discount
5% premium reduction for electric, hybrid, or gas-powered vehicles (LPG or natural gas)
SourceLow mileage discount
15% reduction on insurance premium for vehicles driven less than 5,000 or 8,000 km per year
SourceReplacement vehicle loan subject to availability
In case of covered damage claim, AREAS offers a replacement vehicle loan from approved repair partners when available
SourceThree coverage formula tiers
AREAS Car Insurance is offered in three main formulas: Priorité Essentielle (basic third-party), Priorité Étendue (extended), and Priorité Optimum (comprehensive all-risks)
SourceAssistance services by Mondial Assistance
Roadside assistance and vehicle support services are provided by Mondial Assistance (AWP France SAS), a separate entity contracted by AREAS
Source