In France, all motorized two-wheelers must be insured, even when kept off the road in a garage. Since April 1, 2024, the physical green insurance card has been discontinued: law enforcement officers now check coverage directly through the Insured Vehicle File (FVA).
This move to digital records does not change the legal requirement, but it introduces a new risk: a mismatch between the registration number on file and the actual license plate, particularly after a purchase or plate change. The regulatory framework is also evolving with the introduction of roadworthiness testing for two-wheelers on April 15, 2024. This is separate from insurance, but adds another item to a rider’s maintenance schedule.
Insured Vehicle File: what the end of the green card means for motorcyclists
Getting rid of the green sticker makes everyday life easier, but shifts responsibility to digital records. When a rider buys a used motorcycle or updates their registration document, the registration number submitted to the FVA must exactly match the license plate. A data-entry error by the insurer, a delay in updating the file, or an unreported plate change can create a mismatch.
During a roadside check, officers consult the FVA in real time. If the motorcycle does not appear in the file, the rider faces the same penalties as for riding without insurance, even if they are in fact covered. Checking with the insurer that the registration number on file is correct in the days following any change can help avoid this situation.
For riders looking to take out CPE motorcycle insurance, checking the registration number in the FVA is one of the steps to take as soon as the policy is signed.
Motorcycle third-party liability insurance: what the mandatory cover does (and doesn’t) cover
Third-party liability is the only cover required by law. It covers property damage and bodily injury caused to others: an injured pedestrian, a damaged vehicle, or damaged street furniture. That is where its coverage ends.
The rider is not covered by third-party liability. If they fall without involving anyone else or cause an accident, their own injuries and damage to their motorcycle are not covered by this policy. Riders who assume that third-party insurance provides comprehensive protection often underestimate this limitation.
So-called “third-party” policies often include legal defense and recovery cover in addition to third-party liability. This protection allows the insurer to defend the rider’s interests when another party is responsible for the claim. It does not replace personal accident cover, but it does cover legal costs in the event of a dispute.
Motorcycle theft cover: the conditions that can mean the difference between a payout and a refusal
Theft cover is included in most mid-tier and comprehensive policies. Its name may suggest that it applies automatically, but the terms and conditions vary considerably from one policy to another.
Some insurers require a specific type of anti-theft device, approved to a particular standard. Others require the vehicle to be marked or kept in a locked garage overnight. Failing to meet just one of these conditions may be enough to jeopardize a claim, even if premiums have been paid without interruption.
Before comparing prices for policies that include theft cover, it’s worth reading the exclusions and special terms. Pay particular attention to these three points:
- The required type of anti-theft device (brand, standard, category) and whether it must be used at all times or only when the motorcycle is parked for an extended period
- Whether the motorcycle must be kept in a locked garage or secure parking facility during certain hours
- The excess and how the payout is calculated (market value, purchase price, or value determined by an expert)
A low-cost theft policy with requirements that are impossible to meet in everyday life only offers protection on paper.
Personal accident cover and roadside assistance: two complementary benefits that are often confused
Personal accident cover protects the rider against bodily injury, regardless of who caused the accident. Hospitalization, disability, death: this is the cover that pays out when the other party’s third-party liability insurance does not, particularly if the rider falls without involving anyone else.
Roadside assistance, on the other hand, covers practical support after an accident or breakdown: motorcycle recovery, getting the rider home, or a replacement vehicle. The mileage limit determines when roadside assistance applies. A policy with an excess distance of several dozen kilometers will be of no use for a breakdown in town or near home.
The two benefits meet different needs:
- Personal accident cover addresses the physical and financial consequences of an accident, sometimes months after it happens
- Roadside assistance provides immediate help with the practical situation on the day
- Neither replaces the other, and without both, a rider who falls alone has no safety net
Choose motorcycle cover to suit how you actually ride, not a standard package
Packaged policies (third-party, mid-tier, comprehensive) make it easier to take out cover, but they may include benefits you don’t need or leave out more relevant ones. A rider who only rides in town has different needs from someone who regularly takes long trips.
The motorcycle’s value, how often it is used, and where it is parked are the three factors that guide the choice. Comprehensive accidental damage cover may not be worthwhile for an older motorcycle with a low market value, as the premium could exceed the potential payout.
Mandatory roadworthiness testing for two-wheelers adds another item to a rider’s schedule. This requirement does not change insurance cover, but depending on the policy, failure to have the motorcycle tested could become a point of contention if a claim is made. As the regulations become clearer, it is prudent to check the policy’s general terms on this point.
Choosing motorcycle insurance depends less on the name of the policy than on carefully reading its specific terms. The most useful cover is the cover whose conditions match the rider’s everyday reality—not the policy that looks most comprehensive in a brochure.
