How: French Home Insurance
With a side of French Bank Account
In order to close on our Quillan home in July, we needed proof of home insurance. As she always does, our trusty buyer’s agent Dennelle, had some recommendations, specifically their partners, the English speaking division of AXA International. We quickly booked an online appointment with one of their consultants, Jade. She walked us very clearly through the process, which required basically: a way to pay for the first months of premiums (we used our Lumen account, through which we had also transferred the funds for the sale) and our passports. It was honestly quite easy. And not very expensive, at about 40 euros a month! As we were finalizing the paperwork, Jade said, “And by the way, if you’d like to set up a French bank account, I can help you do that too.”
A French bank account. I knew we would need one—that’s how we’d be paying any bills, like utilities, internet, etc. for the house. I had also heard they were not so easy to set up. So my ears pricked right up when Jade said she would help us. Yes, as a matter of fact, we would like to set up a French bank account.
Jade sent me an email with a link that walked me through the whole process. We had all the documents we needed (passports, again, proof of residence in the US) but one: our marriage certificate, which was back home. I contacted Jade straightaway: “What if we don’t have our marriage certificate on hand?”
“No problem,” Jade said. “You can finish up the application back in the US.”
Unfortunatly, we weren’t able to jump right on that when we got home. First, I got Covid, a relatively mild case but it still put a wrench in things. Then the semester started in full swing. Then my nephew got married in Minneapolis in November, a wonderful multi-day family affair, and I had a business trip after that. Then Thanksgiving came and I got (mildly) sick again, the non-Covid variety. So it was with our tail between our legs that we emailed Jade again.
“We have our marriage certificate now,” I wrote sheepishly. “It’s been a busy fall. But we really would like to set up a bank account.”
“Certainly,” she replied and re-started our application, for which we needed, the passports, the marriage certificate, and proof of residence in the US (3 months utility bills). It was all pretty straightforward, thanks to Jade at AXA.
We sent that in two weeks ago et voila! We were notified today that we are now the proud owners of a French bank account!
Not the most interesting thing you’ve read in the new year, I’m sure, but proof in fact, that opening a French bank account is not quite as hard as it sounds. And yes, I do recommend AXA. They make it quite easy, especially since it’s all in English. There are times when one must struggle through French for learning purposes, and I am all for that. And there are times when it’s good to do something in English, especially as it relates to finances. This was one of those times.
I’m not sure what other French banks require, but here’s a list, again, of what you need:
your passport
proof of residence in the US (3 months of utility bills)
if you are married, your marriage certificate
Bonne Annee!