While an agreement has been reached between insurance companies and the government to freeze premiums for companies for the year 2021, Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France region denounces an insufficient agreement.

"There are two possibilities, either Bruno Le Maire is rolling in the flour, or Bruno Le Maire is rolling us in the flour", he denounces on Europe 1. 

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Insurers have granted a premium freeze next year to companies in the sectors most affected by the health and economic crisis linked to Covid-19, while the government has also given up on making future pandemic insurance compulsory.

An agreement was found on Monday, December 7 for companies with less than 250 employees in the hotel, cafes, restaurants, as well as events, tourism, sport and culture.

Insufficient, according to Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France Region, who charges the Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, on Europe 1.

An insufficient agreement

"There are two possibilities, either Bruno Le Maire is rolling in the flour, or Bruno Le Maire is rolling us in the flour", he denounces.

"We are told, 'tomorrow restaurant owners, for example, will not see their premiums increase'. But they should also say thank you?".

The elected representative denounces the abandonment of new guarantees for the insured, since the government has renounced a "compulsory pandemic insurance". 

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"The Minister of the Economy and Finance, either he was fooled like a rookie, or he tries to make us mistake bladders for lanterns," says Xavier Bertrand.

"I have been a general agent insurer, on the side of general agents, that is to say on the side of those who fight to defend their clients not business leaders. I have contacts with policyholders, so I I have a certain vision. Insurance has a special role, it is what allows you when you have a loss, an accident, not to sink, to be able to start again. There is not only an economic role, but also a societal role. Insurance must be there ". 

"We must play on transparency"

Since the start of the crisis, the insurance sector has deployed various measures to support the economy representing 3.8 billion euros in commitments.

But insurers are under fire, accused of not doing enough, and dozens of disputes between restaurants and insurers over business interruption coverage have been taken to court.

For the president of the Hauts-de-France region, insurers must do more. 

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"We have to play on transparency. For all this sector of catering, events, culture, the first thing I ask is not the freeze on prices but, for the months when there was the confinement, that we be sure that there are no premiums to pay and therefore a refund, "lists Xavier Bertrand.

"Many insurers are lessors, owners and rent to restaurateurs, to the culture sector, to tourism. I ask the Minister of the Economy, the head of government to put them back around a table and get them to be sure that they are exempting their rents, ”he adds. 

Finally, he wants a freeze on vehicle and home insurance prices for all French people, because in this year 2020, insurers have spent less.