Martine has a car in good condition. She does not use it in winter and leaves it in her garage. She wants to stop all insurance during these months. Is she allowed to?

On exam day, in French

Martine a une voiture en bon état. Elle ne s’en sert pas l’hiver et la laisse dans son garage. Elle veut arrêter toute assurance pendant ces mois. A-t-elle le droit ?

• AOui, une voiture qui ne roule pas n’a pas besoin d’assurance.Yes, a car that is not driven does not need insurance.
• BNon, sa voiture doit rester assurée, même dans le garage.No, her car must stay insured, even in the garage.Correct answer
• COui, si la voiture reste sur un terrain privé.Yes, if the car stays on private land.
• DNon, mais elle peut garder seulement l’assurance contre le vol.No, but she can keep only theft insurance.

Explanation

Why the other answers are wrong

• A. Yes, a car that is not driven does not need insurance. — The insurance obligation applies even if the vehicle is not used on the road, for example when it is parked in a garage.
• C. Yes, if the car stays on private land. — A car parked in a garage or on private land must be insured, as long as it can still be used on the road.
• D. No, but she can keep only theft insurance. — Third-party liability cover is the minimum required by law: you cannot insure a vehicle without it.

Principle at stake: Compulsory insurance for motor vehicles — the law (third-party liability cover)

French words to remember

• assuranceinsurance
• responsabilité civilethird-party liability
• véhicule à moteurmotor vehicle