Would you like a Home Insurance Quote for France?

In France, in most cases, house insurance is mandatory, but it depends on the situation:

• Tenants:
  If you are renting a property, you are legally required to have house insurance. This is known as « assurance habitation » and must at least cover risks such as fire, water damage, and theft (known as « risques locatifs »). Your landlord may request proof of this insurance when you sign the lease.
• Homeowners:
  If you own your home and live in it, house insurance is not legally mandatory. However, it is highly recommended to protect your property and belongings against potential risks like fires, natural disasters, or burglaries.
• Co-owners (in shared buildings):
  If you own an apartment in a shared building (e.g., a condominium), you are legally required to have civil liability insurance to cover damage caused to neighbors or communal areas.
• Landlords:
  If you rent out a property, insurance is not legally mandatory, but it’s strongly advised. You can opt for a landlord insurance policy (« assurance propriétaire non-occupant ») to protect against risks like unpaid rent or property damage caused by tenants.

In summary, while it may not always be legally required, house insurance is a practical necessity in most situations in France.

Here is a list of types of dwellings and properties that can be insured with home insurance:

• House

• Apartment

• Condominium unit (house and apartment)

• Garage

• Cellar or storage unit (included in the home insurance policy)

• Student room

To subscribe to a home insurance policy, it’s very simple. You just need to answer some basic questions during your appointment with your insurance advisor: number of rooms in the home, number of people living there, presence of a garage, cellar, pergola, type of heating, presence of a fireplace, home address, and so on.

Then, we will offer you various insurance options to complete your coverage: jewelry to insure, artwork, electronic devices, screen breakage coverage (TV, smartphone, tablet), etc.

Regarding the documents to provide, we will only need a copy of your ID and your bank details (RIB) for monthly payments. We will then send you the contract to sign electronically, and your insurance coverage will start immediately after signing. It’s very simple, everything can be done remotely by phone or email. We are used to it.

The cost of home insurance in France varies depending on several factors, but on average, it usually ranges between €150 and €600 per year.

Factors influencing the price:

• Type of dwelling (apartment or house)
• Geographic location (urban area, risk of flooding, burglary, etc.)
• Size of the property (the number of rooms larger than 9 m²)
• Level of coverage chosen (damage, theft, liability, etc.)
• Deductible amount
• Profile of the insured (age, claims history)
• Presence of security devices (alarm system, reinforced door)
• The heating type (a heat pump or the presence of a fireplace will increase the price)

Tenant liability refers to the tenant’s legal obligation to cover any damage they may cause to the rented property or to shared areas in a building during the rental period.

Rental risks are the types of incidents typically covered under this liability, such as:

• Water damage caused by a leak from the tenant’s home

• Accidental fire

Damage to walls, doors, windows, etc.

Why is this important?
This liability is a legal requirement for tenants in France. Tenants must take out a home insurance policy that covers these risks. In case of a claim, the insurance will cover the cost of the damage to the property, protecting both the tenant and the landlord from financial loss.

When a claim occurs (fire, water damage, theft, natural disaster, etc.), the policyholder must notify their insurer promptly, within the legal time frame. The process generally follows these steps:

1) Respect legal deadlines
5 working days for most incidents (fire, water damage, etc.)

2 working days in case of theft

30 days for a natural disaster (starting from the publication of the official government decree)

2) Declare the claim
You can report the claim:

By phone

Online, via your customer account

By registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt

The declaration should include:

The date, time, and location of the incident

The circumstances (what happened)

A description of the damages

Any photos, invoices, estimates, or proof if possible

3) Damage assessment (remote or on-site)
The insurer may appoint an expert to assess the damage, especially in the case of major losses. The expert then prepares a report that will be used to determine the compensation amount.

4) Compensation
After reviewing the claim file (and the expert report if applicable), the insurer will provide compensation within a variable time frame (usually within 30 days), depending on the contract’s coverage and the amount of damage.

Factors influencing the price:

• Type of dwelling (apartment or house)
• Geographic location (urban area, risk of flooding, burglary, etc.)
• Size of the property (the number of rooms larger than 9 m²)
• Level of coverage chosen (damage, theft, liability, etc.)
• Deductible amount
• Profile of the insured (age, claims history)
• Presence of security devices (alarm system, reinforced door)
• The heating type (a heat pump or the presence of a fireplace will increase the price)

Yes, home insurance policies in France do include liability coverage specifically, « responsabilité civile ».

This coverage protects you if you accidentally cause harm to others or damage to their property. For example:

• If your child breaks a neighbor’s window

• If a fire starting in your home damages a neighbor’s apartment

• If someone gets injured in your home due to negligence (like slipping on a wet floor)

Liability coverage is a standard part of multi-risk home insurance (assurance multirisque habitation) .