House Insurance: Peace of mind for your French home

Owning a home in France is a dream for many, but unexpected events can derail that dream. Let's explore some key questions to consider when choosing your French house insurance.

Why is it important to have House Insurance in France?

When you sign to take ownership of your new property in France, the Notaire will ask for proof of home insurance. House insurance gives you a feeling of security by financially protecting you from risks such as fire, theft and water damage.

Similarly, another key consideration is third party liability cover, known in France as Assurance responsabilité civile; it is mandatory to have this cover under French law. This type of insurance provides cover for damages that you may cause to others, whether they are bodily injuries or property damage, for example following an accident in your home. 

Mortgage lenders typically require homeowners to have insurance as a condition for granting a loan.

What is typically included in House Insurance cover?

Whether you are a homeowner, tenant or landlord, insurers should offer you cover that protects your own property and belongings from various risks. This will include as a minimum cover for public liability, fire & water damage, natural disasters, vandalism as well as damage caused by extreme weather (frost, snow, hail and storms). This is not an extensive list; coverage will depend upon the insurer.  It is important to note in France that the level of cover you choose applies not only to your contents but also to your buildings’ insurance.  

Consider the most important question: what level of cover do you want for rebuilding? How do you want to rebuild your old stone property in the event of a fire? ‘New for old’ insurance cover not only replaces damaged contents for new it would also cover the total rebuild cost of your property. 

Alternatively, you can opt for more basic ‘wear and tear’ cover but do remember that this would impact the rebuild of your property as well.

Some insurers might also offer optional add-ons for additional cover, such as valuables and specific items, for instance gîtes/chambres d’hôtes, outbuildings, swimming pools and solar panels.

TIP!

An essential tip for anyone choosing house insurance is make sure you are insured for what you need to be insured for! Carefully assess your contents insurance needs to ensure that your belongings are adequately protected against unexpected events like fire, theft or water damage. Don’t forget to take photos of your property and contents as they will greatly assist the assessors in evaluating your claim.

How to choose the right House Insurance cover?

Navigating the complexities of house insurance cover in France can be a challenge. Therefore, choosing an insurance provider who listens to your needs, offers sound advice, helps you determine the right type of cover and tailors a policy that reflects those requirements is crucial. 

Looking to swith your insurance providers? Check out our guide here.

First published: 10th September 2024
Image used is provided by Getty Images.