During the night from Thursday, October 1, to Friday, October 2, Storm Alex hit the west of France, as well as the southeast. The torrential rains caused significant material damage, as well as, in France, 7 deaths, at least 9 people missing, and thirteen people potentially disappeared. The community came together, and the Nice Bar Association as well as the Nice Young Lawyers Union (UJA) mobilized on Saturday, October 10, to provide legal support to the victims of these violent storms. Lawyers responded to questions from many affected individuals and provided a document summarizing the most important information to keep in mind in this particular context.
Where to find a lawyer?
The lawyers in Nice are available to answer your questions concerning the legal details related to these storms. You are entitled to a lawyer if your insurance contract offers a so-called “legal protection” or “defense and recourse” coverage. In this case, your insurance will cover the fees and costs associated with your consultations. However, this coverage is subject to a predetermined cap in your contract. You have the free choice of your lawyer, and you can find many practitioners on the site justifit.fr.
Here are several pieces of information that may help you better understand your situation.
Check your insurance
In order for your insurance to cover the damage caused by Storm Alex, you must have a home multi-risk insurance contract, especially with the “natural disaster” coverage that will help cover the repair costs related to damage to real estate.
If you do not have insurance, it is possible to contact your town hall to explain your situation and request material assistance for relocation. The Alpes-Maritimes prefecture can also offer you Barnier Fund assistance, which notably compensates part of the evacuation and relocation costs.
Declare your loss
To benefit from compensation from your insurance company, it is mandatory to declare your loss to them by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. Be sure to mention all the damage you have assessed, as well as your insurance contract number. This declaration must be made within 10 days from the publication of the natural disaster decree in the Official Journal.
To best guarantee your rights, you need to photograph your damaged home, as well as your land if you have any. You must also list in detail all the material damages you have suffered, and subsequently gather all the proof elements that will help build your case with your insurance company: photographs, repair invoices, attestations, etc.
You can also inform your town hall of the loss, also by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, to stay informed about the assistance and actions implemented by your community in this natural disaster framework.
If you have lost your administrative documents
If you have lost your identity documents during the natural disaster, be aware that the civil status office of Nice has set up a help number to assist you in reordering your identity papers: 04.97.13.24.50
