New compensation fund proposed

A new compensation fund for damages caused by protests is being considered, as revealed by Les Échos. The proposal involves two draft decrees and two draft orders being presented to an advisory committee focused on financial legislation and regulation.

Fund managed by state-backed entity

The proposed fund would be managed by the Central Reinsurance Fund and backed by a guarantee from the French government. Its operation would mirror the existing compensation system for natural disasters, ensuring a structured approach to covering protest-related damages.

Funding through insurance taxes

The fund could reach up to 400 million euros. It would be primarily financed by a 0.8% tax on private auto and home insurance, as well as on insurance for professionals and local authorities. Insurers seeking to use the fund would also be required to contribute additional funds.

Conditions for fund activation

The fund would only cover the most severe damages, according to Les Échos. Specific conditions include a sufficient number of protesters, economic losses exceeding set thresholds, and damage to public buildings or multiple incidents each worth more than 10,000 euros. A commission would assess whether to activate the fund in such cases.

Exclusion of past protests

Damages from the October 2026 protests will not be covered by the fund, as it is set to become effective starting January 2027. This depends on the draft texts being approved by the Council of State and published in the Official Journal by that date. A protest guarantee had been planned in the 2026 budget but was not yet implemented.