The declaration means catastrophe naturelle insurance funds can be unlocked

More than 300 communes in France have been recognised as having experienced a natural disaster (catastrophe naturelle) due to drought and flooding caused by climate change.

Almost 320 communes were listed in two new decrees published in the Journal Officiel on August 3, for drought and flooding incidents that happened in 2023 and the first half of 2024. 

The two decrees officially unlock compensation from the public insurance fund, la Caisse centrale de réassurance, and from insurance companies.

Most of the communes listed were in areas affected by flooding.

These include:

• Bordeaux (Gironde), where a storm hit on June 18 and 19, 2024

• Bergerac (Dordogne, May 5) 

• Thionville (Moselle, May 16-21). 

Other areas were affected by drought, where expansion and contraction of the ground, retrait-gonflement des argiles, caused severe damage to buildings.

These include: 

• Nîmes (Gard)

• Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes)

What is the state of catastrophe naturelle?

The state of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster, sometimes referred to as ‘cat nat’) can only be officially declared with a decree in the Journal Officiel. It is up to the local council to analyse – on a case-by-case basis – whether the conditions for this declaration have been met, and apply for this state to be declared.

This is not a given; for example, the two decrees from August 3 also listed around 1,700 communes whose applications for recognition of a natural disaster were rejected.

Read also: Is a natural disaster ruling needed to claim for French home damage?

Once the state has been declared and a decree published in the Journal Officiel, the compensation process can begin. Without this official declaration, natural disaster clauses in insurance policies cannot be unlocked.

In mainland France, natural disaster cover – included in the majority of property damage insurance policies – covers eventualities such as flooding, landslides, drought, avalanches and earthquakes. The exception is wind, which is covered by storm cover. 

Read also: France’s ‘catastrophe naturelle’ insurance system: how to claim
Read also: How do I make insurance claim after weather damage to French home? 

A catastrophe naturelle has been increasingly declared in recent years thought due to effects of global warming.

As a result of this increase, home insurance schemes are set to rise in price next year, partly to keep the state’s own compensation scheme in balance.

The Ministry of the Economy announced last year that the ‘cat nat’ surcharge on home insurance policies would rise from 12% to 20% by 2025.