House Insurance: A French Legal Requirement?

Yes, home insurance is compulsory in France. Whether you are renting or own your home, you must have insurance. This is a legal requirement, and proof of insurance is often asked for when signing a rental contract or taking out a mortgage.

Home insurance covers you for serious problems, such as fires, water damage, robberies, and natural disasters. It is also possible to add extra coverage for things like swimming pools or outbuildings.

Civil liability insurance is mandatory

Home insurance is a legal requirement in France, whether you own or rent your home. This includes rental properties, primary residences, and second homes. Civil liability insurance is the minimum level of insurance required for property owners or renters. This type of insurance is also known as third-party insurance and is generally included in home insurance policies. However, it is important to double-check with your insurance company to ensure that it is included.

Civil liability insurance covers damage to a neighbour's property or accidental injury caused by the owner or renter. This includes situations where something that occurs on your property affects your neighbour's home, such as a falling tree or a water leak. It also covers accidental injury or damage caused by you to a neighbour or their property due to imprudence or negligence. These policies typically cover all family members living in the household, including children up to the age of 18, who are the responsibility of their parents.

Civil liability insurance is also important for renters, as it ensures that both the renter and the landlord have some level of legal protection in the event of an incident. In France, the tenant is liable for any damage they might do to the rented property or their neighbour's property. Therefore, tenants are required to purchase home insurance as soon as they move into new accommodation. Landlords may request proof of insurance and can terminate the rental agreement if the tenant has not obtained it.

The cost of civil liability insurance varies depending on the characteristics of the home. For students, it typically costs between €10 and €15 per month for a studio.

Home insurance is legally required for all

Home insurance is a legal requirement in France, whether you are a tenant or a homeowner. This includes rental properties, primary residences, and second homes.

Civil Liability Insurance

This is the minimum level of insurance required for all property owners or renters in France. It is a third-party insurance that covers damage to a neighbour's property or accidental injury caused by the owner or renter. It also covers damage to another person or their property. This is typically included in home insurance but should be checked.

Multi-Risk Home and Contents Insurance

The standard French home insurance policy covers the cost of repairs or rebuilding due to damage caused by natural disasters, fire, storms, floods, burst pipes, explosions, lightning, or theft. This typically includes civil liability insurance.

If you don't have home insurance in France, you may face several problems. Notaries, mortgage providers, and rental agencies often refuse their services if home insurance is not in place. Landlords are also within their rights to ask for an annual insurance certificate and can terminate the rental contract if the tenant does not have insurance.

The landlord may ask for proof of insurance

If you don't have insurance, the landlord can choose to cancel the lease. This is because home insurance is compulsory in France, and your landlord will require you to send them a home insurance certificate.

Home insurance covers you from potential damage that could happen in the property during your stay. This includes fires, water damage, robberies and natural disasters.

If you don't have the right insurance, your landlord may ask you to upgrade your insurance to include the necessary cover. If you don't, they may be within their rights to cancel the lease.

You should receive an insurance certificate from your insurance company after subscribing to a contract. You should receive this by post, email, or be able to download it from your online dashboard. If you don't receive it, you can request it from your insurer by mail or telephone.

If you are having trouble paying your rent, there are a few options. You can ask for a guarantor, who promises to pay the rent if you can't. This can be a family member or an institutional guarantor, such as a company. You can also take out an insurance policy against non-payment of rent, called a garantie loyers impayés (GLI) or garantie des risques locatifs.

Home insurance covers damage to the property and contents

Home insurance is compulsory in France, and it covers damage to the property and contents. This includes damage to the building and its contents, such as fire, water damage, theft, and vandalism. It is important to note that there are some exclusions and limitations to what is covered by home insurance in France. For example, damage caused by wear and tear or insufficient maintenance may not be covered.

• The law requires tenants of empty rentals to have multi-risk home insurance (MRH), which covers damage caused by fire, explosion, or water damage.
• Home insurance also covers personal belongings, including furniture, clothing, sports equipment, and other items. It is important to note that there may be coverage limits for valuable items such as jewellery or artwork, and additional coverage may be needed.
• In the event of a disaster, theft, or accident, home insurance provides financial protection. This includes coverage for the structure of the home, personal belongings, liability protection, and additional living expenses.
• Most standard policies include coverage for detached structures such as garages, tool sheds, or gazebos, typically up to about 10% of the insurance amount on the main house.
• Home insurance covers damage caused by natural disasters such as floods, forest fires, lightning, and hurricanes. However, it is important to check the policy carefully as some disasters, such as earthquakes, may not be included.
• To ensure adequate coverage, it is recommended to conduct a home inventory and assess the value of personal belongings. This will help determine if additional coverage is needed for high-value items.
• Home insurance also provides liability protection, covering legal fees and medical expenses if someone is injured on the property.
• When purchasing home insurance in France, it is essential to carefully review the policy details, including exclusions and limitations, to ensure that the desired coverage is provided.

Home insurance covers natural disasters

Home insurance is compulsory in France, and it covers natural disasters such as floods, forest fires, and other incidents that may damage your home and its contents. Here's what you need to know about how home insurance covers natural disasters in France:

Types of Natural Disasters Covered

The standard home insurance policy in France typically covers damage caused by natural disasters such as:

• Fires, including wildfires and explosions.
• Water damage, including leaks, ruptures, or overflows of water pipes, and damage caused by storms or hurricanes.
• Natural disasters like floods, forest fires, and storms.
• Vandalism and theft.
• Volcanic eruptions.
• Tornadoes and hurricanes (wind damage).

Exclusions and Additional Coverage

However, it's important to note that home insurance in France may not cover all types of natural disasters. Here are some exclusions and additional coverage options to consider:

• Flood damage: While home insurance covers water damage from pipes or storms, separate flood insurance is usually required for protection against flooding.
• Earthquake damage: Most home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by earthquakes or other earth movements like landslides and mudslides. Separate earthquake insurance or a specific endorsement may be needed.
• Hail damage: In areas with frequent hailstorms, there may be higher deductibles or restrictions on cosmetic damage claims related to hail.
• Tornado and hurricane coverage: In vulnerable areas, separate deductibles for wind or hail damage may be required.
• Vehicle damage: Home insurance does not cover repairs to vehicles damaged by natural disasters on your property. Separate car insurance is needed for such cases.

Understanding Your Policy

When purchasing home insurance in France, carefully review the policy details, including exclusions and endorsements. Pay close attention to the fine print regarding excess payments, security requirements (e.g., alarms, locks), and additional coverage for outbuildings or other structures on your property. It is also essential to understand the claims process, including any deadlines, documentation requirements, and temporary repair procedures.

Choosing the Right Insurance

To ensure adequate coverage, shop around and compare policies from different insurers. Consider the risks specific to your region and ask about additional endorsements or policies to fill any coverage gaps. Don't hesitate to ask for discounts, especially if you plan to take out multiple insurance policies with the same company.

Frequently asked questions