Institutions wishing to conduct insurance or reinsurance business must be licensed. The institutions in question are covered by the provisions of the Insurance Code, the Mutual Insurance Code and the Social Security Code as follows:

• Governed by the Insurance Code:

- French insurance and reinsurance companies

- branches of insurance undertakings outside the European Union

• Governed by the Mutual Insurance Code:

- mutual institutions (mutual insurers and unions of mutual insurers)

• Governed by the Social Security Code:

- provident institutions