Business and Finance

SCHOOL INSURANCE

Yes, it’s September and that only means one thing: Back to school!! And you must wonder why the school asks you for a certificate of assurances for your child so let me explain what it is, what it is for and how much it costs!

1. What is it:

It is an insurance for kids and students. The assurance scolaire is not an obligation but most schools won’t accept your child unless they have one. In any case, your child won’t be able to go along the school trips if they do not have this insurance so it is better if the child has one.

There are 3 ages:

- Baby: 0 to 3 years old

- Junior: 3 years old to end of school - Etudiant: Further education

2. What does it cover:

It is a personal injury insurance for your child so if your child has an accident at school, or anywhere else for that matter, the insurance company pays a lump sum of 3 800 euro for death or between 100 000 and 200 000 euro for invalidity (amount depends of % of incapacity).

It can also cover damages to teeth (305 euro per teeth), hearing aid (770 euro), glasses and contact lenses (153 euro) as long as there is a medical certificate proving the child was injured. So if the child broke his glasses playing football and he is not injured, the insurance won’t pay. It can also pay for a bed so one of the parents can stay in the hospital room with the injured child. Another cover is the cost for search and rescue of the child following an accident or any other events endangering the child’s life. The insurance can also cover robbery up to a certain amount (only clothes, sport equipment and school bags) but you will need to have kept the original invoice! Needless to say we have never had a claim for that! As nobody keeps the invoices forever. Last, but not least, is what we call “école continue” so that if your child is injured and can’t go to school, the insurance pays for 6 hours per week of private tuition in your house. Child must be absent from school for medical reason for more than 15 days.

It does not cover loss or breakage so if your child loses or breaks his mobile phone, tough luck!

But note that if your child breaks a window, this is covered by the public liability insurance which is inside your house insurance contract. So things not covered by the school insurance can be covered by another of your insurances.

3. How much does it cost:

Not much actually! Depending on the age of your child, cover can cost between 23 and 50 euro per year.

And if you have more than child, there is usually a discount.

So there it is, school insurance is a must especially for just 3 to 4 euro per month so it’s not worth depriving your child of a fantastic school trip to a goat cheese factory! And remember to check out our web site www.bhassurances.fr/en for all my previous articles (“practical information”) and register to receive our monthly Newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook: “Allianz Jacques Boulesteix et Romain Lesterpt” And don’t hesitate to contact me for any other information or quotes on subjects such as Funeral cover, inheritance law, investments, car, house, professional and top up health insurance, etc…

No Orias: 07004255 Visit our web site

www.bh-assurances.fr

BH Assurances

22 rue Jean Jaures 16700 Ruffec

Isabelle Want

Tel : 05 45 31 01 61 Mob : 06 17 30 39 11 Email : isabelle.want@bh-assurances.fr

Succession issues in France – how is your family affected? by Catrina Ogilvie, Blevins Franks

France’s complex succession law and tax regimes create various complications for UK nationals setting up life there. Once you understand how these might affect your family, you can tailor your estate planning to ensure your estate will pass according to your wishes and with as little tax as possible.

Succession law and forced heirship

The Napoleonic code in France was designed to keep property within the ‘bloodline’. Children are protected heirs and must inherit between 50% and 75% of your estate. You can only leave the ‘freely disposable’ part to your spouse or PACS (civil) partner.

EU succession law ‘Brussels IV’

It is possible to use the EU succession regulation “Brussels IV” to opt for the succession law of your country of nationality to apply on your death, instead of that of your country of residence. You need to make this election in your will, otherwise French law automatically applies. But first understand the pros and cons.

If French assets pass according to the provisions of a country which does not impose forced heirship rules (eg. England and Wales), the protected heirs can make a claim for the share they would be entitled to under the French rules. This effectively override Brussels IV, but you can still use it to freely distribute assets outside France.

In any case, there may be other, more suitable ways to achieve your estate planning wishes.

Succession tax

Succession tax is charged on each beneficiary, with the rates and allowances varying considerably depending on their relationship to you: • There is no tax on inheritances between spouses and PACS partners, but lifetime gifts are taxable at 5%-45% with a €80,724 allowance.

Children (natural and adopted) each benefit from a €100,000 allowance and pay tax at progressive rates from 5% to 45%. • Grandchildren pay tax at the same rates, but only receive the standard €1,594 allowance for inheritances. You can, however, give them lifetime and cash gifts up to €31,865 tax free. • Brothers and sisters generally receive a €15,932 allowance and pay tax at 35% or 45%. • The allowance for nephews and nieces is €7,967 with a 55% tax rate. • Anyone else pays tax at 60%, and their allowance is just €1,594. This includes stepchildren and unmarried/non PACS partners.

It may be possible to overcome or mitigate the potentially punitive taxes and the restrictions of succession law through strategic advance planning, so take time to explore your options. Estate planning is a complex area, especially when you have to consider the rules of two countries and how they interact. Every family is different, so your approach should be tailored to meet your personal objectives and unique situation.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice. Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

Inheritance planning in France. Protect your heirs.

There is more to cross-border estate planning than many people realise. You need to plan for many different elements, including the complex and potentially high French succession tax, UK inheritance tax if you have assets there, and France’s restrictive forced heirship regime. Also consider how your pension can be passed to your family and the tax implications. Blevins Franks has 45 years of experience helping thousands of UK nationals in France achieve their wishes for their heirs. Every family is unique, so our estate planning recommendations are personalised for your specific situation and wishes. Talk to the people who know

05 49 75 07 24

niort@blevinsfranks.com

www.blevinsfranks.com

160-fr INTERNATIONAL TAX ADVICE • INVESTMENTS • ESTATE PLANNING • PENSIONS

Blevins Franks Group is represented in France by the following companies: Blevins Franks Wealth Management Limited (BFWML) and Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF). BFWML is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority, registered number C 92917. Authorised to conduct investment services under the Investment Services Act and authorised to carry out insurance intermediary activities under the Insurance Distribution Act. Where advice is provided outside of Malta via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of Malta. BFWML also provides taxation advice; its tax advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. Blevins Franks France SASU (BFF), is registered with ORIAS, registered number 07 027 475, and authorised as ‘Conseil en Investissements Financiers’ and ‘Courtiers d’Assurance’ Category B (register can be consulted on www.orias.fr). Member of ANACOFI-CIF. BFF’s registered office: 1 rue Pablo Neruda, 33140 Villenave d’Ornon – RCS BX 498 800 465 APE 6622Z. Garantie Financière et Assurance de Responsabilité Civile Professionnelle conformes aux articles L 541-3 du Code Monétaire et Financier and L512-6 and 512-7 du Code des Assurances (assureur MMA). Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of retirement schemes. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFWML.

TAKE A BREAK - SOLUTIONS - PAGES 12 - 14

Easy Crossword:

G A L L O P # B I C E P S # M # A # # T # # H # L # H U M U S # R E C O V E R # S # N # # O # # C # N # R E A D Y # G A R O T T E # D # R # # L # # L # Y # # # A Y A T O L L A H # # # I # B # # D # # T # B # U S U A L L Y # K E B A B # L # S # # T # # M # R # P A C K A G E # M I A M I # N # E # # S # # L # A # E D I T O R # B I K I N I

Toughie Crossword ("Football")

R E F E R E E # R I P E N E # A # A # R # E # E # E D E R B Y # A B S E N C E C # M # S # # # E # A # D A P S E # O V E R P L A Y R # # # O # E # V # T # # D I P # M E R G E # Y E S # # L # I # G # S # # # T T R A N S F E R # U S E R A # Y # S # # # S # T # I B O O K I N G # A L A C K L # F # O # A # V # M # E E L F I N # S W E E P E R

Sudoku:

2 5 4 7 9 8 3 6 1 3 6 9 1 5 4 7 8 2 1 8 7 6 2 3 5 4 9 8 2 6 4 1 5 9 7 3 9 3 5 8 6 7 2 1 4 7 4 1 9 3 2 8 5 6 6 9 2 5 8 1 4 3 7 4 1 8 3 7 9 6 2 5 5 7 3 2 4 6 1 9 8

CONNECT FOUR :

Q1. Their flags are red and white Q2. They are all"Capes"

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE :

1. Circular window on left gains balcony. 2. Extra plant pot outside green house. 3. Clock on green house moves. 4. Door handle on red door changes sides. 5. Upstairs window on blue house disappeared. Q3. The first four commissioned Royal Navy aircraft carriers Q4. Decimal 21 in Decimal, Octal, Hexadecimal and Binary

6. Extra plant pots outside blue house. 7. Interior light removed from bar. 8. Cake removed from table in bar. 9. Bar name changed. 10. Chair outside bar loses a leg

Advertising in The Deux-Sèvres Monthly is not as expensive as you might think. Up to 15,000 potential customers see the magazine every month. A colour advert this size costs as little as 40€ per month*. Why not find out more by dropping us a line at ... info@thedeuxsevresmonthly.fr

*This price is based on a 12 issue, colour, size B advert (roughly the same size as this advert) paid annually in advance. Other options are available and a range of discounts are also available for multiple month adverts.

DÉCHETTERIES

Up to date information about opening hours, restrictions, etc for your local déchetterie? Visit the website www.smc79.fr for details For waste disposal outside of the Deux-Sèvres there’s an alternative website www.decheteries.fr

Looking for an English speaking business in France?

Find one on

Bringing experts in expatriate finance closer to you

Join us at the Chateau de Sauge Le Tour de Finance 19th October 2022

10:00 Welcome coffee | 10:30 Seminar | 12:00 Complimentary lunch

As an expat, do you make the most of your finances? Join us, and our panel of guest speakers, for informed guidance on expatriate financial planning opportunities, commentary on investment markets and to meet like-minded people in your local area. The event starts at 10.00am with a welcome coffee, followed by brief presentations from international experts on a range of topics that could affect you now, or in the future.

The morning ends with a complimentary buffet lunch and a chance to meet the experts and hopefully make some new friends.

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