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Drivers of the least polluting cars in France are not only unlikely to benefit from cheaper insurance but may pay on average some €200 more for cover, a recent report has revealed. 

The study compared insurance costs for vehicles based on their Crit’Air level.

Many drivers in France now need a Crit’Air sticker for their vehicle as these are required to drive through dozens of urban areas in the country where low-emission zones (zones à faibles

émission or ZFE) are in place.

The stickers range from a level of 5 (the most polluting vehicles) to 0 (electric and hydrogen vehicles).

Many cities now restrict vehicles above a certain level from entering ZFEs.

Drivers who break these rules – or do not have a sticker – face fines.

Contrary to popular belief owners of vehicles with a lower Crit’Air level will not necessarily benefit from cheaper insurance. 

Vehicles with a lower Crit’Air rating are generally of a higher value than those vehicles with a more polluting rating. This is because they are likely to be newer vehicles and contain more

expensive and complex equipment and components.

Subsequently they can be more expensive to repair than older vehicles and also, in general, the higher the value of a vehicle, the higher the insurance premium. 

Online French insurer Leocare found a fully comprehensive policy covering a vehicle with a Crit’Air 5 sticker was €212 cheaper on average than the same for a vehicle with a Crit’Air 0. 

These higher premiums are partly due to repair costs for vehicles of a Crit’Air 0 and 1 level. 

Leocare calculates that costs to repair a Crit’Air 0 and 1 level vehicle after vandalism can be almost double those for Crit’Air 2-5 level, €6,151.92 compared to €3,303.68.

Repairing a cracked windshield is slightly cheaper on newer vehicles although this is a significantly less usual occurrence on these than on older cars, the report added.