Domestic violence recognised as risk for first time by AXA France insurers

In what appears to be the first policy of its kind anywhere in the world, insurance giant AXA is changing its home insurance policies in France to recognise domestic violence as a risk for the first time, providing victims with emergency housing relocation in the same way insurers do in cases of fire or flood. In France, the number of domestic violence victims reported to police stations has doubled between 2016 and 2023, rising from over 124,000 to more than 270,000 (according to the Service Statistique Ministériel de la Sécurité Intérieure (SSMSI). And these are only the reported cases: the Women’s Foundation (Fondation des Femmes), estimates the actual number of victims to be closer to one million each year. Though domestic abuse can also be suffered by men, violence against women forms the majority of cases and came starkly to public attention in the Dominique Pelicot aggravated rape case earlier this year. Guillaume Borie, CEO of AXA France, explains the new initiative like this: "Protecting our policyholders from the risks they face is our core responsibility, and providing emergency rehousing in cases of flooding or fire is part of our mission. With this expertise and our long-standing commitment to working alongside associations and public authorities in the fight against violence against women, we are evolving our insurance policies to leverage our knowledge in rehousing and support services for victims of domestic violence". As the AXA campaign points out, many women who are victims of domestic violence are unable to leave their homes because they lack the funds to go elsewhere. This policy would give them access to emergency rehousing coverage, as well as legal, psychological and financial support which they can access via a helpline. There is also the possibility of rollout of the idea to other markets. Founded in France in the 1800s, AXA operates at multinational level and is the leading insurer in France.

Keywords: AXA domestic abuse home insurance, home insurance news, domestic abuse France, protection women and children France, violence against women, Publicis Conseil