School insurance: competition hardens

Just two days after classes begin, the war is on in student insurance. Like last year, Carrefour offers free insurance to customers who hold loyalty card (17 million cards). As in 2009, the MFA, which holds one third of this market, defends itself.

Last year the mutual had filed an interlocutory order that the sign continues to broadcast its offer, but had been unsuccessful. This time, the MFA has assigned Carrefour before the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Evry for "unfair trade practices. 'We want to try the case on its merits. Beyond the financial loss, there is especially harm the image, justifies Edgar Mathias, president of the MFA."We hope the court understands that one can not, for insurance and child, treat things lightly," he says.

Between 10 and 30 euros

The mutual claims 350,000 euros in damages. An amount calculated on the basis of figures provided by Carrefour at the interlocutory hearing in 2009, then assuming the distributor on the underwriting of insurance 20000-25000 school. Friday, Carrefour said "regretted" the action of justice waged by the MFA. With its free offer, the distributor intends to "meet the expectations of its customers. In today's economy, purchasing power is at the heart of the concerns of families, "says one at Carrefour.

However, since ten years, traditional insurers, banks and stores of the retail market also interested in the school insurance.Their interest is simple: to win new customers to offer them then other products. In this highly competitive environment, the MFA loses many policyholders. After counting up to 7 million members in the 1970s, the insurer only has 3.3. However, the MFA is the only MMA can distribute its products in the public schools (about 10 million children) through agreements decades ago with federations of parents. What some see as a "privilege" is "between 15 and 20% of members of the MFA," according to its chairman.

The strong competition between different actors of good for parents. The school insurance prices should remain stable this year (between 10 and 30 euros per year on average).This should encourage them to subscribe to this optional activities taking place within the school. But that is required for extracurricular activities offered by schools (out, discovery classes …).