On 18 Nov 2010 in the morning, we discovered that the coffee machine, micro wave, telephone and some energy saving lamps were not working anymore. This calculated to about 1200 Euros damage if accounting the new price. 
History: The day before, the light was going stronger and weaker until 14:00 when the complete power was finally cut. From neighbors we finally understood that the whole area was affected. Towards the evening we were informed by the neighbors that the energy would be restored at about 22:00. With no power we had cold (gas heating needs electricity) and no light, so we had to go out for dinner. We saw the electricians hanging on the distribution pole working hard fixing a transformer. When we came back the power was restored indeed.
Even our ForumAzur page was affected due to this power outage: No power no ADSL, no internet for our server. You can see in the graphic, that the user visit has dropped that day.
The next day we sent an email to EDF via the online contact form:
"On avait des irrégulières électriques dans le quartier (réparé le 18 Nov 2010 a 22:15) et plusieurs appareils électriques ce sont cassé. ..."
The response was "Dans votre courriel du 20 Novembre 2010, vous me faites part de micro-coupures ayant endommagés plusieurs de vos appareils et votre intention de nous faire une demande d'indemnisation. Pour cela, je vous invite à nous envoyer un courrier de réclamation accompagné des justificatifs de réparation ou de rachat de vos appareils"
We immediately sent letter to EDF listing all the items and the purchase date and price and the new receipts for the devices we had to replace immediately (lamps, telephone). We used normal post delivery as we already had the email to EDF claiming the incident in time.
We also informed our Home insurance. Our insurance covers damages due to power failures as well. They will compensate for what EDF is not paying. Coverage: Computers telephones: new price -10% for each year used. Coffee machine: Repair price. Deductible per incident 135Euro.
We received letter from EDF on 10December, confirming the reception of our claim and that they will treat it with high priority (standard letter).
EDF called in late January that ERDF (the power network provider) will send an expert on 24 January to look at the damages. The expert came and acknowledged all damages and also showed us how much we can expect per item, the amount confirmed was 418 Euro. This was reasonable from our point of view, not covered are all the suffering and efforts we had to take.
In June we called EDF, they confirmed damage was confirmed but next steps need to be done by ERDF. We called ERDF which said the results have been sent to their assurance AXA in Paris and they should pay and gave us an address to send the question to.
We sent a letter to AXA asking where our money is and one week later we received a check in the amount of 418 Euros. Wow, after 7 months we can buy a new microwave and have some warm meals again... Well, typical France, many companies involved and you as victim have to run from one to the other until you get your rights settled.
By AWeb Design