Error leaves 75,000 vehicles uninsured in France (drivers unaware)
Uninsured vehicles include HGVs and buses. Drivers should check their policy if insurance was provided by the broker in question
Uninsured drivers face steep penalties
Hadrian/Shutterstock
A major insurance mix-up has seen up to 75,000 vehicles in France left uninsured throughout 2025 despite their drivers believing otherwise.
Many of the vehicles are HGVs or buses, with the issue affecting public transportation across some communes.
However, some private drivers may be affected, particularly those in the north of France.
What caused the issue?
The vehicles affected have been insured through Pilliot Assurances, an insurance broker based in Pas-de-Calais that works with the European branch of American insurer Accelerant Insurance.
The broker previously worked with another international insurer to offer cover to vehicles and transportation fleets in France, but switched to working with Accelerant Insurance Europe (AIE) at the start of 2025.
Despite being recognised as a legitimate insurance company in many countries, AIE is not certified to cover this risk in France, meaning the cover it provides is not legally valid in the country.
A Commercial Court in northern France, which ruled “the certificates issued by AIE are not valid and the risks are not covered,” and ordered that drivers that had subscribed to such policies were advised that they are not covered.
Media reports indicate the broker has not made any official communication, however.
Pilliot Assurances has appealed the decision, claiming they were informed by a text from the AIE that it had ‘a green light’ to offer policies.
This text was sent despite the fact formalities with the Bureau central français over the legality of the policies were yet to be finalised. AIE states that it did not authorise the issuance of these policies.
The court says the French broker failed to carry out due diligence despite the text.
Read more: Too many drivers in France do not have insurance
What should impacted drivers do?
Anyone who has taken out an insurance policy with the company should contact them immediately to see if they are legally covered.
Until they have confirmation of this coverage, they should not drive their vehicle.
If uninsured to drive in France, drivers will need to take out a new policy before driving.
Impacted drivers should be compensated for the original cover they took out, but this may take a significant amount of time following the insurance company’s appeal.
Until then, drivers will be out of pocket – there have been calls for a compensation fund to be introduced to cover impacted drivers, but no measures have been announced.
Note that drivers who are unwittingly uninsured are not exempt from the penalties and fines levied against uninsured motorists in France.
Those caught driving a vehicle without insurance face a penalty of up to €3,750, with an additional fine of €500 (€400 if paid within 15 days) if the infraction is discovered during a police check. However if responsible for an accident drivers will be liable for all damages.
Read more: How do I prove my car is insured now France no longer issues stickers?
