Civil Responsibility and More Insurance

I'm not sure if the French expression connerie(s) has an accurate English translation without venturing into swear word territory. Anyway, the closest thing would be 'stupidities' but I don't think that's really a word. This word can be used like a noun. For example, "fais attention à ces gars-là , ils font souvent des conneries".

Another French expression is the extremely versatile bétise(s) which is easily translated into mistake, or what results when you do or say something wrong, accidental, unacceptable etc.
For example, I once asked a woman for directions who, at first, tried to recall by memory but then politely said "s'il vous plaît donnez-moi votre carte. Il faut que je la regarde pour que je ne vous raconte pas de bétises". Alternatively, somebody might spill something on the floor and tell you: "faites attention, j'ai fait une bétise".

The thing about insurance is that although the French consulate in Canada requires that you provide proof of medical coverage from your province along with an extended plan, exchange students from non-EU member countries are required to join the French Social Security (fee is approximately 189€€) with no option to opt-out.

At Lyon 3, you pay this fee (in the form of a money order that you can get from La Poste made out to the the "Agence Comptable Université Lyon 3") when you submit the documents for your student card (which, by the way, are: 3 passport photos {with your full name written on the back}; and 1 photocopy of your birth certificate)

Another insurance that is mandatory for foreign students is a particularly French thing called l'assurance de responsabilité civile (trans. civil liability insurance)*. This insurance is mandatory for foreign students in France. The most concrete example that I was given as to why you need it is, for example, you are playing a sport and accidentally elbow another person in the eye. S/he ends up needing medical treatment, enter this insurance that will cover their medical costs or whatever rather than you having to pay out of your own pocket.

I'm not sure if you can buy this insurance in Canada - maybe in Québec because I noticed that the French insurance company, SMERRA, operates in Québec - so I just filled out the supplementary "Attéstation sur l'honneur"(available from the Consulate's website) that I would purchase this as soon as I got to France. However, I did visit an insurance agent in Chinatown who suggested that if I was under twenty-five and a student, to see if I might be covered for something similar under my parent's home insurance. In France, this insurance can usually be purchased along with your other mandatory health and/or housing insurances.

The best places for students to buy insurance is through SMERRA or LMDE. Sometimes, banks will also have insurance deals for students. This year for example, Le Crédit Lyonnais (LCL) had a deal that offered annual insurance for 1 euro to any student (under 25) that opened an account with them.

* I say it is a particularly French thing only because the Canadian insurance agents I inquired through had no idea really what it was. Also, I had a hell of a time looking up in google.ca if it could be purchased in Canada. In contrast, my first attempt to look for "L'assurance de responsabilité civile" on google.fr was a super hit.