They are reaching the end of their way of the cross, that of being supported by insurance to put municipal buildings weakened by the earthquake of June 2023 back on their feet. In Charente-Maritime, in La Grève-sur-Mignon, in Cram-Chaban and in La Laigne, if natural disasters have bled the municipalities, we are spared the double penalty of price increases from insurers. For good reason: earthquakes are a rare phenomenon not linked to global warming. “Earthquakes do not fall under the climatic subject,” specifies SMACL, territorial insurance. We cannot blame a municipality for not having protected itself. » For 2025, the increase will be minimal.
Finance and politics: town halls are losing their confidence
Hundreds of municipalities in France can no longer insure their municipal buildings, either because companies or mutual societies have withdrawn, or because they present them with an astronomical bill. The Association of Mayors of France expresses its concerns
However, the municipality is concerned about its level of “claims” due to another scourge. “In recent years, our workshops have been burglarized three times,” explains Nicolas Boncens, mayor of La Grève-sur-Mignon. A truck was stolen from us, some tools. An armored door was even broken down. » Same reality for Cram-Chaban, who suffered 20,000 euros in damage during the last theft committed in October 2024.
Municipalities are faced with more damage, more delinquency. It's logical
“We have reached the point of building a new building to lock up sensitive equipment,” explains Laurent Renaud, the mayor of the town. It will be equipped with a double door, alarm, video protection… The large hangars where everything was stored are poorly designed. This investment will cost us between 10,000 and 15,000 euros. We thus prove our good faith with insurance companies. »
Patronage to compensate
Mayors no longer hesitate to spend thousands of euros on security systems. Beyond the increase in prices, another ax may fall, that of delisting. “The worst thing would be to be written off,” reacts Nicolas Boncens. It's really not easy to find an insurer. We are a small town, we are not in the Poitiers scheme. We don't have as many municipal buildings, just the school, town hall and workshops. » The mayor of La Grève-sur-Mignon knows what he is talking about, he is a banker and has sold insurance. “The increase in prices does not surprise me. Prices hadn't changed for a while. Municipalities are faced with more damage, more delinquency. It makes sense. »
Installing security equipment is not painless. “Now, we are more in operation than in investment,” notes Laurent Renaud. To rebuild the town hall and the school hit by the earthquake, half a million euros are needed. Part is paid by insurance but not 100%. » At Groupama pro, the councilor did not hesitate to bring into competition with the SMACL. He thinks he's doing well. In spring 2025, the work should be completed. The church will wait. 90,000 euros have already been invested. There are 200,000 missing. In the absence of insurance support, the mayor is testing another concept that has proven itself in Paris, the call for patrons.
