News
France: Xynthia - Aviva extends its emergency scheme after storm hits France's western seaboard
03 March, 2010
The insurance group Aviva France, in line with its policy of providing sound advice and getting closer to its customers, has been working since Sunday to help victims of the recent storm that hit France’s western seaboard. Aviva Assurances and Eurofil, part of the Aviva group, have already taken steps to expedite and simplify the claims handling and settlement process for its customers.
Aviva Assurances, through its network of 900 insurance agents in France, and Eurofil, which specialises in providing direct insurance over the telephone:
- Aare making advance payments via their insurance agents and telephone consultants based on customers’ needs and requests.
- Are not asking customers to provide evidence of wind speeds in the regions affected by the storm, but have instead arranged for the necessary documents to be sent to them directly by France’s meteorological office (Météo France).
- Have extended the normal claim deadline by five days to 31 March.
- Have the human and logistical resources in place to settle claims of less than €2,000 within three months.
- Will take into account the circumstances facing customers affected by the storm if they are temporarily unable to pay their insurance premiums on time.
Aviva France also welcomed the announcement made by the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA) that insurers have reached an agreement to avoid drawn-out legal proceedings in cases where damage is caused by a third party.
Aviva Assurances customers can contact their insurance agent directly. To activate the Aviva Assistance cover provided under comprehensive home and car insurance policies, and in more extreme cases to obtain financial assistance, customers should call 0825 804 848.
Eurofil customers should call:
- 0800 037 380 to make claims.
- 01 47 14 15 15 for Eurofil assistance.
Aviva Assurances and Eurofil will keep a close eye on specific cases and will be sympathetic towards claims made by customers facing particularly difficult circumstances. Around 20 critical situations have already been identified, which are being handled on an individual basis and as a matter of urgency by Aviva staff on the ground.
“In the face of such a severe storm, we have made every effort since Sunday to assist and support our customers at such a difficult time,” explained Jean-Pierre Menanteau, chairman and chief executive of Aviva France. “We have made special arrangements to compensate our customers swiftly and to help them cope with this tragic event.”
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Press officers:
Karim Mokrane
Telephone: +33 (0)1 76 62 76 85
E-mail: karim_mokrane@aviva.fr
Estelle Joubert
Telephone: +33 (0)1 76 62 57 86
E-mail: estelle_joubert@aviva.fr
Philippe Tréguer (HDL Communication)
Telephone: +33 (0)1 58 65 00 73
E-mail: ptreguer@hdlcom.com
Notes to editors:
About Aviva
Aviva is the world’s fifth-largest insurance group*, with 50 million customers across Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region. Aviva’s principal business activities are: life insurance and long-term savings, asset management and general insurance.
At 31 December 2008, Aviva had total turnover of €64.3 billion, with €393 billion in assets under management. Aviva is the largest insurer in the UK and one of the leading providers of life insurance and pension products in Europe. A selection of images and all the press releases from the Aviva Group are available in the press area www.aviva.com/media.
With more than 180 years’ experience in France, Aviva is among the top ten players in the insurance market. Aviva France has a solid and profitable multi-distribution model based on a comprehensive range of products, mainly intended for consumers and SMEs.
Some 900 insurance agents, 1,800 branch staff, 400 life insurance advisers, almost 900 wealth management advisers (Union Financière de France) and more than 1,000 active partner brokers are on hand to serve three million customers every day. Aviva has developed unique expertise in building effective partnerships for the benefit of its customers, particularly with AFER, the largest savings association in France, and the Crédit du Nord, Société Générale and Ford groups.
Specialising in unit-linked products, Aviva is recognised for the excellent performance of its long-term funds, the quality and innovation of its products, and solid commitment to its customers through its Good Advice approach.
Aviva France is a socially responsible company and has developed initiatives that include reducing and neutralising its CO2 emissions, supporting more than 250 projects to help children and the elderly through the Aviva Foundation, and implementing an acclaimed diversity policy.
The Aviva Group directly employs more than 4,700 staff in France.
At 31 December 2008, Aviva France reported consolidated sales of €6.0 billion and an IFRS-based net profit of €130 million. The company had €69.6 billion of assets under management at 31 December 2008.
* Based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2008.
