Photo: Pexels- Fees: 0 percent entry on the best online contracts
- Underlyings: at least 50 unit-linked funds and a competitive euro fund
- Availability: partial redemption within 8 days on average
- Flexibility: free contributions without binding minimum
- Customer service: accessible and responsive
Life insurance remains the French favourite investment. But not all contracts are equal. Here are the 5 criteria to look at to pick the right one.
1. Fees
Fees are the first differentiator. Over a long horizon, 1 point of fees per year reduces capital by more than 20 percent over 20 years.
| Fee item | Online contract | Classic bank contract |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | 0 percent | 2 to 5 percent |
| Euro fund management | 0.5 to 0.6 percent | 0.6 to 1 percent |
| Unit-linked management | 0.5 to 0.9 percent | 0.9 to 1.5 percent |
| Arbitrage | Free | 0.5 percent |
2. Quality of underlyings
A good contract offers at least 50 diversified unit-linked funds: ETFs, mutual funds, SCPI, real estate funds, private equity.
3. Performance and availability of the euro fund
Some insurers cap access to the euro fund (e.g. 30 percent of contributions). To check before subscribing.
4. Contribution flexibility
Scheduled contributions, free arbitrage, managed portfolio options: all elements that facilitate management over time.
5. Customer service
In case of partial redemption or unlocking request, customer service responsiveness makes a real difference. Read verified reviews before opening a contract.