Last year, a significant increase in wild animal car insurance claims has been detected. According to French Environment Ministry, in 2007 there were 6000 claims to the state guarantee fund (Fond de garantie) for road accidents involving wild animals. This figure rose sevenfold, to over 42,000 claims, with the level of indemnity rising from €9 million to €21 million.

They say the reason for such a large increase in claims is not because of the inexplicable surge in the number of wild animals crossing the road or an increase in the negligence of drivers. The reason is simply that the rules regarding the claims changed midway through 2007.

There is no longer an insurance excess that applies for such claims but instead, the state backed Fonds de garantie picks up all the costs of the accident, irrespective of any excess clauses in your own vehicle insurance policy. These regulations were introduced in order to conform to the 5th European Directive on car insurance.

Now if you are fully insured, then your insurance policy will cover such accidents and if an excess applies, this will be handled by the Fonds de garantie.