Insurance coverage in France

Hello Kenjee.

That's a good question. In my opinion it's better to be insured locally, i.e. where you reside.  That way when something comes up, it will be much faster. Then again, I do not know where you come from so I can't vouch for insurance companies from your country. Maybe they are better than the ones in France. Having lived in France for more than 10 years, I think I can safely say that you need a minimum of 2 or 3 insurance schemes:

1) A multi guarantee that englobes housing, personal life, among others.

2) A complementary health insurance (mutelle in French)

3) Vehicle insurance

France has one of the most extensive social security systems in the world. Healthcare costs are basically reimbursed up to 70% whether it's a simple visit for a cold or an important surgical procedure. If you pick up a complementary health insurance scheme, it will reimburse the other 30%. Otherwise, you'll have to pay that portion. Of course, there are things that aren't reimbursed 100% or not reimbursed at all.

Choosing a multi guarantee insurance and a complementary health insurance scheme can be a headache sometimes. There are so many companies that I can't tell you which one is the best. AXA, Alliance, MAIF, MAAF, GAN, Matmut, MGEN...and the list goes on. Even the different French banks propose multi guarantee insurance schemes. It all depends on your budget and the coverage that you would like. Do your own indepth research, e.g. percentage, conditions and time frame of reimbursements, coverage, etc and compare them with the ones from your country. That's the only way to go.

Good luck!