Blamed for its attitude towards traders hit hard by the crisis, the insurance sector is trying to respond to criticism by supporting the recovery of the economy at the local level.

This is the case of Axa France, which is launching a “ReBons” operation on Tuesday.

Its CEO, Jacques de Peretti, was the guest of Europe 1, Monday evening.

INTERVIEW

Is it a defeat?

Insurers on Monday conceded a premium freeze next year to companies in the sectors most affected by the crisis, such as hotels and restaurants.

For the CEO of Axa France, Jacques de Peretti, "it is incorrect to think that we need to have our arm twisted" by Bercy to give in on this measure.

And the manager to insist, at the microphone of Europe 1, on the operation "ReBons" that his group is preparing to support local commerce, very hard hit by the coronavirus crisis for several months.

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"Find clients"

In addition to the freezing of insurance premiums and the maintenance of the guarantee during the first quarter in the event of inability to pay this premium, Axa France "has decided to invest 500 million euros in SMEs and VSEs in the sectors concerned . [This will make it possible to] help them to have their own funds and to be able to invest, but above all through a very important operation ", explains Jacques de Peretti about this" ReBons "operation launched on Tuesday.

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The objective displayed by the group to 400,000 customers?

"Help local traders to find customers in a concrete way", defends Jacques de Peretti, who recognizes that the insurance sector has "perhaps lacked diplomacy" in this crisis management. 

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20 euros vouchers

Concretely, Axa France will "offer 200,000 vouchers to (its) customers so that they can go to local shops around the 3,200 branches" of the group.

"These vouchers have a value of 20 euros each and will be distributed by our general agents."