I'll also comment on health 'mutale'
which are exactly 'health insurance' ------- same kind of thing as in Oz. They pay the gaps etc kind of thing, if there are gaps.
But, many funds are mutuales, not private. All have different levels of what they give you back -
like one might give more for post op services, but spectacles and hearing might get a lower rebate - and vice versa.
My mutale also gives a return. I can't remember how much is returned as a minimum under the constitution - maybe 80 or 90 % ----------- which means that at the end of their year - if they've got money left - they give that % back to members
And this year for me - next month, I get a return on what is about half a months payment. So, it's substantial.
I got my mutuale in case something horrific happens and I don't have control - so, I got a pretty basic one. But, it gives a lot more rebates for many services than most of my friends insurances do, including some which are also mutuales - some used to be professional mutuales - like teachers or similar.
Some of the ex professional ones run not only health insurance - but, all insurance - home and car etc - and they are incredible to watch when one has a claim compared to Australia or English insurers (in my experience). People don't abuse the organisation and the organisation really looks after it's members. Story after story - someone has a claim, they are requested to get 3 quotes and when they lodge - they get paid next day, no questions, no delay, none of the Ozzie experience. It's very impressive.
Oh - PS
for many people who come to France to live - or travel for years - most pay horrendous prices for travel insurance.
Mostly, they do so for the medical cover.
But, if one is in France continuously for 3 months - then, one is entitled (and expected) to be registered for the French Social security system - meaning the health system.
Now - 1. it's free. and bigly bigly - 2. as soon as you have your medical card - this entitles you to an EU card - meaning that you can go to any EU country and you receive the same entitlements - and you can apply for that card online AND you can get an instant temporary card whilst waiting for your plastic to arrive - which means that if all of a sudden you decide to travel to Italy or Germany etc - 5 minutes on the computer and you're covered - you walk into a hospital ect - and you're covered.
Most end up dropping their travel insurance. Some yanks were paying $10,000 PA - only to find out that they could have been paying zip.
And yes, you contribute by paying a fee for your residence permit - but as I said at the start --------- you get a LOT for what you pay.
