Do I pay twice for insurance?

For all these pastimes in France you have to have a licence, and/or a letter from your doctor, despite the fact that if you take out car and house insurance you are told you are covered for personal accident.

If you query why you need all these licences in order to enjoy yourself, the answer in all cases is that “it is to cover insurance”.

I once had an accident when my golf-cart overturned and I damaged my hand.

The fire brigade was called and arrived quickly, giving me first aid, and took me to hospital. A doctor put in 26 stitches and bandaged me up.

The hospital charged me 50 centimes after I produced my carte vitale.

Presumably, the fire brigade is funded by our taxes ?

Please can someone explain the need for all these insurances? I would be quite happy to have my personal insurance and the fire brigade’s.

Douglas Duncan, Cotignac