Car advice

Choosing car insurance: 5 criteria not to overlook

La rédaction Modys Publié le 9 December 2025 2 min de lecture
Publié le 9 December 2025 par Pistonelle Vectalia

French law stipulates that, regardless of your driving profile or how often you use your vehicle, you must have car insurance.

In this guide, we’ll outline the 5 essential criteria that will help you choose the policy that best suits your needs.

The type of coverage offeredWhen it comes to car insurance, several levels of coverage exist.

Third-party liability insurance

This is

car liability insurance.

In other words, it’s the basic mandatory coverage in France for all drivers. By choosing this type of policy, only damage caused to a third party will be covered by the insurance. Most insurers offer additional coverages to supplement this policy for better protection. Extended third-party liability insuranceThis policy provides additional coverages that complement basic car liability insurance. Examples include coverage for broken windows, theft, or fire. Of course, insurers offer other coverages that can be chosen based on each driver’s profile.

Comprehensive insurance

As its name suggests, this policy covers almost all material damage to the insured’s vehicle even when the insured is at fault. This is the option that offers the best protection. The insurance premiumObviously,

insuring your car

has a cost. The price of car insurance must therefore be taken into consideration before signing a contract. The insurance premium varies depending on the chosen coverage and any additional guarantees . Naturally, the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the price of car insurance. To learn more about the rates charged by insurers, don’t hesitate to request quotes!Exclusions from Coverage

Certain accidents, claims, and situations are not covered by insurers. These include, among others,

loaner vehicles, which require additional coverage. This information is detailed in the insurance contract, specifically in the exclusion clauses. It is essential to be well-informed about this to avoid unpleasant surprises.

The Deductible Amount

The deductible is the amount the insured party must payafter reimbursement by the insurance company. The deductible amount is not fixed. It varies depending on the insurance company and the type of claim.

Additional Coverages We previously mentioned additional coverages that can supplement your insurance contract. Regardless of the coverage you have chosen, it is possible to select other coverages to benefit from a policy that fully meets your needs

Pistonelle Vectalia