Third-party liability, personal accident cover, equipment cover, repatriation: what is compulsory, what is recommended, and how it all works through the FFVL licence. A clear guide from our DEJEPS-qualified instructors, at Gréolières since 2013.
Fly with peace of mindParagliding is a supervised air sport, but one that carries risks. Being properly insured means flying with peace of mind — and it is, in part, compulsory. The good news is that it’s simpler than it seems once you understand the different types of cover.
This guide clearly explains paragliding insurance: compulsory third-party liability cover, the recommended personal accident cover, the optional cover (equipment, repatriation, legal protection), and how to take out all these policies via the FFVL licence. It includes specific examples for first-time flights, training courses and independent pilots.
It is written by the Ailéments team, paragliding school at Gréolières (06) since 2013. Our state-qualified instructors (DEJEPS) hold professional liability insurance and help numerous students with their licensing process every year: here is the essential information, without the jargon.
This is the only truly compulsory insurance for paragliding. It protects others — and, indirectly, your peace of mind.
La third-party liability (TPL) covers bodily injury or material damage that you unintentionally cause to a third party — another pilot in the air, a person or property on the ground. It is compulsory for all pilots, whether flying solo or on a training course, and in accordance with the requirements of The French Federation of Free Flight.
No separate contract is required: the FFVL membership certificate include the liability insurance (The federation is required to provide civil liability cover for its members). Take out your FFVL licence, … which means being in compliance with compulsory insurance requirements from the very first solo flight.
Third-party liability insurance protects others, not you. To cover your own injuries, you need personal accident cover — which is optional, but strongly recommended.
The'personal accident (PA) to a lump sum in the event of disability or death following a flying accident. Without it, your own injuries will not be covered by third-party liability insurance. Given the nature of the sport and the risks outlined in our guide Paragliding accident, it comes highly recommended.
AI is subscribing as an optional extra with the FFVL licence, with several levels of cover depending on the level of protection required. A pilot who flies regularly, whether in mountainous terrain or on cross-country flights, would be well advised to choose comprehensive cover. This can be tailored to their flying style and personal circumstances.
In addition to third-party liability and personal accident cover, the licence allows you to add useful cover options tailored to your sporting activities and travel arrangements.
A wing, a harness and a reserve parachute represent several thousand euros. L'equipment insurance covers theft and certain damages — relevant for a modern equipment and for those who travel with their wing. It is insured for the actual value of the equipment.
In the event of an accident at an isolated site or in the mountains, the costs of rescue and repatriation can be heavy. The assistance option covers evacuation and return transport — invaluable for mountain flying and cross, often far from access points.
La legal protection provides support in the event of a dispute relating to your practice (defence, legal action). It is a discreet but useful form of cover, particularly if an incident involves a third party. It naturally complements civil liability cover.
The cover you need depends on your circumstances. Three scenarios cover the vast majority of people who take part in these activities.
For a Tandem paragliding, you do not need to take out any insurance. The instructor and the school are insured under professional indemnity insurance You are insured as a passenger. You can simply enjoy the flight, with no paperwork required.
As soon as you learn to fly, an FFVL licence (often temporary for a first course) is required: this includes compulsory third-party liability cover. At Ailéments, this is charged in addition to the price of the internship — we’ll show you how to take it.
Once the patent Once you’ve obtained your licence, you take out an annual FFVL licence and choose your cover: third-party liability included, personal accident cover, and – depending on your flying activities – equipment cover, repatriation cover and legal protection.
Everything goes through the same entry point: the FFVL licence, where you choose your level of cover. It’s simple, provided you know what you’re getting.
We take our FFVL licence (third-party liability included), then you tick the desired options: personal accident, repatriation, legal protection, equipment. Annual licence for regular practice, or temporary for trying it out during a training course.
There’s no point in taking everything «just in case» – nor in travelling too light. A recreational pilot doesn’t have the same needs as a cross in the mountains. Read the details of the FFVL cover and, if in doubt, ask your flying school for advice.
We don’t sell insurance — that’s not what we do. But we make sure that everyone flies with cover in place, and we guide you through the process.
For your baptism, the school is covered by professional indemnity insurance and flies with certified equipment. You do not need to take out any insurance: simply enjoy the flight.
For a internship, the FFVL licence (which covers third-party liability) is required and is charged as an extra. Our instructors will explain which option to choose and how to go about it before your first day of training.
Third-party liability, personal accident, optional extras: insurance rules aren't always crystal clear. As a FFVL-affiliated school, we guide you towards the right cover for your project. Ask us the question, you're welcome, it's a pleasure.
Since 2013 at Gréolières, the team Accessories flies passengers and students in a supervised and insured environment. State-certified instructors (DEJEPS), affiliated with the FFVL, certified equipment: safety and coverage are part of the professionalism that over 1070 5/5 reviews greet.
Fancy trying paragliding without any insurance hassle? A tandem flight is the ideal introduction.
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Liability, public liability, personal accident, licence, equipment: the concrete answers.
Yes for the Public liability (third-party damage liability), compulsory for autonomous flight as well as during training. It is included in the FFVL licence. Personal accident insurance, which covers your own injuries, is not compulsory but is strongly recommended.
La RC covers the damage you cause to others; the'personal accident covers your own injuries (disability/death lump sum). Third-party liability is compulsory and included in the licence; personal accident insurance is a recommended option, without which your bodily injuries are not compensated.
No, nothing to subscribe to. The instructor and the school are insured in professional indemnity insurance ; as a passenger of a two-seater flight Don't worry, you are covered. The insurance only applies to you personally if you are training to fly solo.
The FFVL membership title includes the Compulsory public liability insurance. Personal accident cover, repatriation assistance, legal protection and equipment insurance are available as optional extras. You can tailor your cover to suit your activities.
Yes, via a hardware option on the FFVL licence, against theft and certain damage. It is particularly relevant for a modern equipment and for those who travel with their wing. It is adjusted to the value of their equipment.
Through there FFVL licence, which covers civil liability and allows you to add optional extras. Annual for regular use, temporary for a work placement. Your school will advise you: at Ailéments, a licence is required for work placements and is charged as an additional fee.
Four benchmarks for being well covered without making life complicated.
Public liability insurance (damage to third parties) is compulsory for flying, and included in the FFVL licence.
She covers your own injuries (disability/death lump sum). Optional but highly recommended, available as an add-on to the licence.
Equipment, repatriation, legal protection: you build your cover according to your activity, from leisure to cross in the mountains.
No procedure needed for a trial dive: the school is covered. The licence only concerns you from the training towards independence.
For an introductory flight, you don't need to bring anything: school provided, certified equipment, state-qualified instructor. We take care of the setting, you just enjoy the flight above the Côte d'Azur.
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