On December 1, 2020, Bruno Le Maire issued an ultimatum to insurers. The Minister of the Economy demanded freezing insurance premiums. If he did not win his case, the executive would have passed a new tax for the sector. Eventually, an agreement was reached six days later.
What commitments have insurers made?
Concretely, insurers have made three commitments. The first is from do not increase the rates for professional multi-risk insurance contracts in 2021. This price freeze concerns restaurateurs, hoteliers, cafeterias as well as companies in the field of culture, events, sport and tourism. It is aimed at all VSEs and SMEs in these sectors ” less than 250 employees », Explained Bruno Le Maire, during a press point.
These companies will also be able to benefit free of charge next year fromassistance coverage for business leaders and employees who have been hospitalized after being infected with Covid-19. In practice, this protection could, for example, finance the delivery of meals to the home or a childcare service. And in the event of psychological disorders, the compensation may go up to 3,000 euros.
Finally, the last commitment made: the creation of insurance mediation for companies. Indeed, disputes have multiplied in recent months. On the one hand, policyholders thought they were covered for their operating losses and on the other, insurers who felt that the pandemic risk was not part of the contracts. These “ legal disputes are not good for anyone », Recalled Bruno Le Maire.
There will be no pandemic insurance
On the other hand, pandemic insurance will not see the light of day in 2021. To justify this decision, the Minister of the Economy explained that companies cannot support ” new charges “Which would be” unbearable for them ”. Instead, the executive wants to support them in building up provisions, in particular thanks to favorable tax conditions. Clearly, the amount they would set aside in the event of a new health crisis will reduce their corporate income tax.
But this new device would leave on the sidelines all companies that are currently close to closure because of the health crisis. For this reason, there is nothing to say that pandemic insurance will never see the light of day.
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