A simplified and less opaque procedure for recognition of the state of natural disaster

After the occurrence of the claim, the municipalities now have a period of 24 months for the deposit of their Natural disaster recognition file (against 18 months ago). The period of publication of the decree of recognition of the state of natural disaster in the Official Journal, on the other hand, goes from 3 to 2 months from the filing of the request by the municipalities.

This new procedure is also more transparent. Thus, the decision to recognize or not the state of natural disaster must be motivated and the documents having supported this decision may be consulted by the municipalities and the victims. In case of refusal, graceful appeals will be facilitated.

Created in 1984, the Interministerial Commission for recognition of the state of natural disaster must now establish an annual report, presenting a synthetic assessment of the opinions rendered and a list of standards used to measure the abnormal intensity of natural phenomena. Objective displayed: to make the opinions made by the Commission more understandable for victims and municipalities.

In addition, a newly created organization, the National Consultative Commission for Natural Disastersmust make an opinion on: every year:

  • The relevance of the criteria used to determine the recognition of the state of natural disaster.
  • The conditions for compensation for victims.

Finally, a Cat nat referent is appointed in each prefecture in order to facilitate exchanges between local communities, state services and insurers.

More advantageous deadlines for victims

THE Victims of natural disasters benefit from a period of 30 days (from the publication of the recognition decree) to declare the claim to their insurer, against 10 days before.

Then, the insurance company has a period of one month to inform the insured of the implementation of the CAT NAT warranty or the intervention of an expert. In the month following the reception of expert report or the estimated state of damage Transmitted by the insured, the insurer must offer compensation or repair in kind. If the victims accept the proposal, the compensation must be paid within 21 days.

New methods of compensation for the victims

With the Reform of the natural disasters compensation schemethe victims are subject to new management conditions:

  • The costs of architect and project management linked to the restoration of the property are covered by the regimewhen these services are compulsory.
  • From January 1ᵉʳ 2024, emergency rehousing fees will be integrated into compensation, as soon as the main residence of the insured has been made unfit to housing for reasons of safety, hygiene or health. The duration of support for these costs is limited to 6 months from the first day of the rehousing.

In addition, the inhabitants of the municipalities without a Natural risk prevention plan (PPRN) will no longer be penalized by franchise modulations. Note, however, that this measure does not apply to communities.

Finally, anyone who has been denied an insurance contract because of the significant risk of natural disaster that weighs on their property, has the possibility of contesting this decision with the Central pricing office (BCT).

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