Car Insurance Bonus-Malus System in France (2026 Guide)

The bonus-malus system — officially the **Coefficient de Réduction-Majoration (CRM)** — is the rule-based mechanism that adjusts your French car insurance premium each year according to your claims history. The framework is set by **Article A. 121-1 of the Code des assurances** and is identical for every authorised insurer. In 2026 the maths are unchanged: every claim-free year multiplies your coefficient by **0.95**, every at-fault claim multiplies it by **1.25**, and the floor is **0.50** while the ceiling is **3.50**. For more on insurance in France, see our complete guides.

> **Key takeaways**

> - The CRM is set by **Article A. 121-1** of the Code des assurances — same rules for every insurer.

> - **Bonus**: x 0.95 per claim-free year, floor at **0.50** (50% reduction, reached after 13 years).

> - **Malus**: x 1.25 per fully at-fault claim, x 1.125 if 50% responsible, capped at **3.50**.

> - **Theft, fire, glass breakage, Cat Nat, and parking with no identified third party** do not affect the CRM.

> - Your bonus stays with **you, not the vehicle** — it transfers when you change cars or insurer.

> - **2-year insurance gap** = bonus lost, restart at 1.00.

> - The **Relevé d'Information (RI)** is the proof of your CRM — your insurer must provide it within 15 days.

> - Disputes: contact the Médiateur de l'Assurance or the ACPR (French Prudential Authority).

What is the CRM, exactly?

The Coefficient de Réduction-Majoration is a multiplier applied to your reference premium. A coefficient of 1.00 means you pay 100% of that premium. A coefficient of 0.50 means 50%; 1.25 means 125%. The system is statutory: insurers cannot invent their own bonus-malus mechanism for standard car insurance policies. It applies identically to private vehicles, motorbikes and most light commercial vehicles in the French market.

The principle was introduced in 1976 and codified in the Code des assurances. Its aim is mutualisation with a behavioural incentive: drivers with a clean record pay less; those who cause more claims pay more.

How the coefficient changes each year

Bonus: x 0.95 per claim-free year

For every full year ("période annuelle d'assurance") without an at-fault claim, your CRM is multiplied by **0.95** and rounded to two decimals. After:

• 1 year clean: 1.00 → 0.95
• 3 years clean: 1.00 → 0.86
• 5 years clean: 1.00 → 0.77
• 10 years clean: 1.00 → 0.60
• **13 years clean: 0.50** (floor reached; further clean years do not reduce it).

"Bonus à vie" after 3 years at 0.50

Article A. 121-1 also rewards long-standing safe drivers: once you have held the **maximum bonus of 0.50 for at least 3 years**, a single first at-fault claim does **not** push your coefficient back above 0.50. This is informally called "bonus à vie" ("lifetime bonus"). It does not protect you against a second claim in the same period.

Malus: x 1.25 per fully at-fault claim

A single fully at-fault claim multiplies your CRM by **1.25**:

• 1.00 → 1.25
• 1.25 → 1.56
• 1.56 → 1.95

A 50%-responsible claim ("partage de responsabilité" 50/50) multiplies by **1.125**. The ceiling is **3.50**, meaning your premium can rise to 350% of the reference. After 2 full claim-free years following any malus, the CRM cannot exceed **1.00** (a "reset to neutral" rule).

Claims that do **not** affect your CRM

The following events, even when your insurer pays out, are excluded from CRM calculation:

• A claim where **you are 0% responsible** and a third party is identified (the IRSA convention regulates this — managed by France Assureurs).
• **Theft, fire, glass breakage**.
• **Cat Nat / natural disaster** payouts.
• **Parking incident with no identified third party**.
• Damage caused by an act of vandalism.

If your insurer applies a malus for one of these, ask in writing for a correction citing Article A. 121-1, and contact the Médiateur de l'Assurance if refused.

The Relevé d'Information (RI)

What it is

The Relevé d'Information is a regulated document summarising:

• Your **current CRM**.
• The **claims** declared over the last **5 years**, with date, type, and assigned responsibility.
• The **named drivers** on the contract (and their CRM, if applicable).
• The **start date** of the current contract and your **driving licence date**.

How to get it

Your insurer must provide it **within 15 days** of a written request (Article L. 113-3 of the Code des assurances) and automatically at contract termination. Most insurers now give you a downloadable copy in your customer area.

Why it matters

When you change insurer, the new one will ask for the RI to apply the correct CRM from day one. Without it, the new insurer can treat you as a new driver (CRM = 1.00), losing you years of accumulated bonus.

What happens when you change car, insurer, or stop driving

Same insurer, new car

Your CRM follows you. The reference premium changes (different vehicle, different group), but the multiplier is unchanged.

New insurer

Hand over the RI. The new insurer applies the stated CRM from the first day of cover. The Loi Hamon (Article L. 113-15-2 of the Code des assurances) lets you switch at no cost after the first 12 months — see our Hamon Law guide.

Insurance gap of more than 2 years

If you have not been insured for **2 years or more**, you lose the accumulated bonus and restart at CRM = 1.00. A gap of less than 2 years generally preserves the bonus, but ask the prospective insurer to confirm.

Multiple vehicles in the same household

The CRM is per driver, not per household. Two adults, two cars, two CRMs. If a parent adds an adult child as a secondary driver on their policy, the child does **not** accumulate their own CRM — it only starts to build when they take out a contract in their own name.

Special cases

Young drivers and the AAC

Newly licensed drivers start at **CRM 1.00** with a "young driver" surcharge (separate from the CRM). Drivers who went through the **AAC (apprentissage anticipé de la conduite)** benefit from a reduced surcharge and faster bonus progression — see our young driver insurance guide.

Company fleets

Vehicles in a company fleet ("flotte automobile") use a separate, fleet-wide CRM mechanism, recalculated annually for the whole fleet — Article A. 121-1 also covers this.

Multi-driver claims

If a named secondary driver causes the claim, the CRM impact is borne by the main contract, not by the secondary driver personally.

Practical tips for 2026

• **Check your RI** every year for errors — wrong responsibility codes and unrecorded "no-fault" status are the most common issues.
• **Think twice before declaring a small at-fault claim**: a single x 1.25 multiplier costs more than three years of bonus rebuild. If the damage is below your deductible plus the future premium uplift, paying out of pocket can be cheaper.
• **Get the RI before cancelling** your current contract: it is harder to chase once the relationship is closed.
• **Premiums are rising 5–8% in 2026** because of repair-cost inflation and climate claims (see our car insurance 2026 increase guide). A clean CRM is the single most effective shield.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does my premium go down each year without a claim?

Your CRM is multiplied by 0.95. So 1.00 becomes 0.95 after one clean year, 0.90 after two, and so on, down to a floor of 0.50 (reached after 13 clean years). The premium adjustment is proportional, but the reference premium itself can also vary.

Does a claim where I am not responsible affect my bonus?

No. Under Article A. 121-1 of the Code des assurances, only fully or partly at-fault claims affect the CRM. Theft, fire, glass breakage, Cat Nat events, and parking incidents with no identified third party are excluded.

Can I keep my bonus if I change insurer?

Yes. Your CRM is personal and is documented in your Relevé d'Information. The new insurer is required to apply the CRM shown on the most recent RI.

What is "bonus à vie"?

After 3 years at the maximum bonus (CRM 0.50), a single first at-fault claim does not push the coefficient back above 0.50. It is not a permanent immunity — a second claim in the same period removes the protection.

What if I stop driving for a few years?

If your insurance gap is less than 2 years, your CRM is generally preserved. After 2 years without cover, you restart at CRM = 1.00.

My insurer applied a malus I think is wrong — what do I do?

Write to the customer service, citing Article A. 121-1 and asking for a corrected Relevé d'Information. If refused or unanswered after 2 months, escalate to the Médiateur de l'Assurance (free, independent). The ACPR can investigate persistent practice issues.

Does the CRM affect every insurance line on the same policy?

No. Bonus-malus applies only to civil liability and damage cover for the vehicle. Add-on covers (legal protection, roadside assistance) are priced separately and are not driven by the CRM.

Related Articles

• Car Insurance 2026 Increase
• Young Driver Insurance 2026
• Hamon Law: Cancel Insurance Easily

Sources

• Légifrance — Article A. 121-1 of the Code des assurances
• Légifrance — Article L. 113-3 of the Code des assurances
• Service-Public.fr — Bonus-malus
• France Assureurs (FFSA) — IRSA convention
• ACPR — French Prudential Authority
• Médiateur de l'Assurance
• UFC-Que Choisir — Consumer association

Last updated 28 May 2026. checkeverything.fr is an information portal; this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial, legal, or insurance advice. Bonus-malus rules can be amended by ministerial decree; always check the current text of Article A. 121-1 of the Code des assurances. For your specific situation, consult a regulated insurance broker, your insurer, or the official sources listed above.