This workshop gives you active speaking practice for a short post office exchange in French. You will ask whether a package can be insured, say what you would like to do, ask about the maximum covered value, and check whether loss and damage are covered. Each native line is explained in English before you use it, and you will practise both the customer and staff roles.
Asking to insure a package
Start with the simplest question. «Est-ce que je peux assurer ce colis ?» means "Can I insure this package?" Use it when you want to check whether insurance is possible before you hand over the package. A slightly more polite version is «Je voudrais assurer ce colis, s'il vous plaît.», which means "I would like to insure this package, please." Both lines are useful at the counter. If you want to open the exchange with a greeting and a request, «Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer ce colis. Est-ce que je peux l'assurer ?» means "Hello, I would like to send this package. Can I insure it?" This combines the greeting, the reason you are there, and the insurance question in one line. Practise saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed, keeping your voice calm and clear.
Asking about value and cover
Once insurance is possible, you may need to ask about limits. «Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?» means "What is the maximum covered value?" Use it when you want to know the highest amount the insurance will cover. To check what kinds of problems are included, use «L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?», which means "Does the insurance cover loss and damage?" This asks about two specific situations: loss and damage. When the staff member asks about the contents, «Oui, bien sûr. Quelle est la valeur du contenu ?» means "Yes, of course. What is the value of the contents?" You can answer with a value, then repeat your cover question using «Environ quatre cents euros. L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?», which means "About four hundred euros. Does the insurance cover loss and damage?" The staff reply «Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.» means "Yes, up to the declared value. I need an invoice or proof of value." This tells you the cover is limited to the value you declare, and that proof is required.
Keeping the exchange clear
In this exchange, the customer asks the questions and the staff member answers. Keep that order: question first, then reply. When you practise with a partner, decide who is the customer and who is the staff member before you start. The customer can use «Est-ce que je peux assurer ce colis ?», «Je voudrais assurer ce colis, s'il vous plaît.», «Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?», «L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?», «Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer ce colis. Est-ce que je peux l'assurer ?» and «Environ quatre cents euros. L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?». The staff member can use «Oui, bien sûr. Quelle est la valeur du contenu ?» and «Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.». If you swap roles, the order of the conversation stays the same: the customer still asks, and the staff member still replies. Do not begin with the staff reply before the customer has asked. Say each line clearly, and pause after a question so your partner has time to answer.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce que je peux assurer ce colis ?
Can I insure this package?
ess-kuh zhuh puh ah-soo-ray suh koh-lee
Je voudrais assurer ce colis, s'il vous plaît.
I would like to insure this package, please.
zhuh voo-dreh ah-soo-ray suh koh-lee, seel voo pleh
Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?
What is the maximum covered value?
kel eh lah vah-lur mak-see-mal koo-vert
L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?
Does the insurance cover loss and damage?
lah soo-ranss koo-vruh tel lah perrt eh lay doh-mazh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer ce colis. Est-ce que je peux l'assurer ?
Hello, I would like to send this package. Can I insure it?Oui, bien sûr. Quelle est la valeur du contenu ?
Yes, of course. What is the value of the contents?Environ quatre cents euros. L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?
About four hundred euros. Does the insurance cover loss and damage?Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.
Yes, up to the declared value. I need an invoice or proof of value.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided counter exchange
You are the customer at a post office counter. Your partner is the staff member. You want to send a package and ask about insurance.
Your task: Read your first line aloud: «Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer ce colis. Est-ce que je peux l'assurer ?». Your partner replies with «Oui, bien sûr. Quelle est la valeur du contenu ?». Then answer with a value and ask your cover question using «Environ quatre cents euros. L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?». Your partner finishes with «Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.». Repeat the exchange once more, trying to speak without looking at the lines.
Choose the right reply
You are the staff member. The customer has just asked a question. Choose the reply that fits the customer's question.
Your task: The customer says «Est-ce que je peux assurer ce colis ?». Which reply fits: «Oui, bien sûr. Quelle est la valeur du contenu ?» or «Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.»? Say your chosen reply aloud. Then the customer says «L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?». Which reply fits now: «Oui, bien sûr. Quelle est la valeur du contenu ?» or «Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.»? Say your chosen reply aloud.
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Work with a partner. One person is the customer and one is the staff member. Cover the lines and try to remember the exchange.
Your task: The customer begins with a greeting and a request to send a package, then asks about insurance. The staff member asks about the value of the contents. The customer gives a value and asks whether loss and damage are covered. The staff member explains the limit and asks for proof of value.
Common questions
What does «Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.» mean, and what should I do after hearing it?
«Oui, jusqu'à la valeur déclarée. Il me faut une facture ou un justificatif.» means "Yes, up to the declared value. I need an invoice or proof of value." It tells you that the insurance covers up to the value you declared, and that you need to show an invoice or proof of value. After hearing it, you can show your proof if you have it, or ask about the value again using «Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?».
Can I use «Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?» and «L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?» together?
Yes. «Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?» means "What is the maximum covered value?" and «L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?» means "Does the insurance cover loss and damage?" You can ask «Quelle est la valeur maximale couverte ?» first to learn the limit, then ask «L'assurance couvre-t-elle la perte et les dommages ?» to check what situations are covered. Keep the questions in that order so the staff member can answer one point at a time.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask about insuranceChecked September 2026
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