Home Insurance in France

A complete guide for homeowners, second-home owners and new residents

When you buy or rent a home in France – whether you are relocating permanently or purchasing a holiday property – one of the first essentials to organise is home insurance.

In France, insurance is not simply “a good idea”. In many cases, it is legally required, and even when it is not mandatory, going without it can expose you to significant financial risk.

This guide explains:

• What home insurance in France actually covers

• When it is compulsory

• The different types of policies available

• What additional household cover you may need

• Vehicle and garden machinery insurance

• Specialist cover for second homes, renovations and rentals

1. What Is Home Insurance in France?

Home insurance in France is known as:

Assurance habitation

Most policies are written as a multi-risk home insurance policy, called:

Assurance multirisque habitation (MRH)

This combines:

• Property insurance (the building)

• Contents insurance (your possessions)

• Civil liability insurance (your responsibility towards others)

In practical terms, it protects you financially if your home is damaged or if someone is injured and you are legally responsible.

2. Is Home Insurance Compulsory in France?

It depends on your situation.

✔ If You Are a Tenant

Home insurance is legally mandatory.

You must provide proof of insurance (attestation d’assurance) to your landlord every year.

✔ If You Own an Apartment (Co-Ownership / Copropriété)

Civil liability insurance is compulsory.Buildings insurance may be partly covered by the co-ownership policy, but you still need your own cover.

✖ If You Own a Detached House

Insurance is not legally required —but practically speaking, it is essential.

If your house burns down or a tree falls onto a neighbour’s property, you are personally responsible.

Mortgage lenders will also insist on insurance before releasing funds.

3. What Does Standard Home Insurance Cover?

Most French policies include the following core protections:

1️⃣ Fire (Incendie)

Damage caused by fire, explosion or smoke.

2️⃣ Water Damage (Dégât des eaux)

Burst pipes, leaks, roof ingress.

3️⃣ Storm Damage (Tempête, grêle, neige)

Wind, hail, snow weight.

4️⃣ Natural Disasters (Catastrophes naturelles)

Flooding, subsidence, landslides — but only when officially declared by the French state.

5️⃣ Theft & Vandalism (Vol et vandalisme)

Often requires approved locks or alarms.

6️⃣ Glass Breakage (Bris de glace)

Windows, patio doors, sometimes solar panels.

7️⃣ Civil Liability (Responsabilité civile)

This is crucial. It covers injury or damage caused to others by:

• You

• Family members

• Pets

• Your property (e.g., roof tile falling onto a car)

4. Buildings vs Contents Insurance

🏠 Buildings Insurance (Assurance propriétaire non occupant or propriétaire occupant)

Covers:

• Walls

• Roof

• Floors

• Permanent fixtures

• Garages

• Outbuildings

If you are buying property in France as part of your relocation journey (something many readers of A New Life in France are doing), ensure you declare:

• Renovation status

• Wood burners or fireplaces

• Swimming pools

• Outbuildings

These materially affect premiums.

🛋 Contents Insurance (Assurance mobilier)

Covers:

• Furniture

• Electrical goods

• Clothing

• Jewellery (limits apply)

• Art (often needs separate declaration)

French policies require you to declare the total value of contents. Under-declaring can reduce payouts.

5. Civil Liability – The Most Important Element

Civil liability insurance in France is extremely broad.

It covers:

• Your child damaging someone else’s property

• Your dog biting someone

• A tile falling from your roof

• A tree on your land falling onto a neighbour’s house

This is often the most financially critical protection.

6. Insurance for Second Homes in France

If you own a holiday home:

You need:

Assurance propriétaire non occupant (PNO)(Non-occupying owner insurance)

This protects you when:

• The property is empty

• You rent it out occasionally

• You are not resident in France

Unoccupied property often requires specific cover because:

• Burst pipes go undetected

• Theft risk increases

• Insurers may require winter checks

If your audience includes UK or US buyers purchasing French property for part-year use (as many of yours do), ensure they understand standard policies may not automatically cover empty periods.

7. Landlord Insurance (If You Rent Out Property)

If you rent long-term or as a gîte / holiday let, you need:

• Landlord liability insurance

• Loss of rental income cover

• Tenant default insurance (optional)

Short-term rental properties may require commercial-style cover.

8. Vehicle Insurance in France

Vehicle insurance is completely separate from home insurance.

It is mandatory for all vehicles.

French vehicle insurance is called:

Assurance auto

Minimum required cover:

• Third-party liability (Responsabilité civile)

Other options:

• Third party + fire & theft

• Fully comprehensive (Tous risques)

If you are relocating permanently, you must:

• Register your vehicle in France

• Insure it with a French policy

UK or US insurance is not valid long term once resident.

9. Garden Machinery & Outdoor Equipment

This is often overlooked.

Items such as:

• Ride-on lawn mowers

• Quad bikes

• Garden tractors

• Chainsaws

• Robotic mowers

• Garden furniture

• BBQs

• Outdoor kitchens

May require:

• Declaration as high-value items

• Specific theft cover extension

• Separate insurance if motorised and road-usable

Some machinery (e.g., ride-on mowers used on public roads) may require specific liability cover.

10. Swimming Pools in France

If you own a pool, you must declare it.

Insurance may cover:

• Structural damage

• Pool house

• Machinery

• Liability if someone is injured

French law also requires safety features such as alarms or covers.

11. Renovation & Building Works Insurance

If you are renovating a French property:

You may need:

Assurance dommage-ouvrage

Covers structural defects.

Contractor insurance verification

Ensure tradespeople have:

• Assurance décennale (10-year structural guarantee)

Never start major works without confirming this.

12. Additional Optional Covers

You can often add:

• Legal protection (Protection juridique)

• Breakdown cover for appliances

• Home emergency cover

• Loss of frozen food

• Identity theft protection

• High-value jewellery riders

13. What Is NOT Usually Covered?

• General wear and tear

• Poor maintenance

• Undeclared renovations

• Undeclared wood burners

• Undisclosed rental activity

• High-risk empty periods

Always disclose fully.

14. Typical Costs of Home Insurance in France

Premiums vary depending on:

• Region

• Property size

• Rebuild value

• Risk factors (flood zones, storm exposure)

• Security measures

Rough guide:

• Small apartment: €150–€350 per year

• Detached house: €250–€600 per year

• Large rural home: €500–€1,200+ per year

Second homes often cost slightly more.

15. Major Home Insurance Providers in France

Common insurers include:

• AXA

• MAIF

• Groupama

• Allianz

• MACIF

Many offer English-speaking services.

16. How to Choose the Right Policy

When advising expats moving to France, key questions include:

1. Is the property permanent or second home?

2. Will it ever be rented?

3. How long will it be empty?

4. Is there a pool?

5. Are there outbuildings?

6. What is the real rebuild value?

7. Are there high-value contents?

The cheapest policy is rarely the safest choice.

17. Claims Process in France

If you need to claim:

1. Notify insurer within 5 days (2 days for theft)

2. Provide photos and evidence

3. Obtain repair estimates

4. Loss adjuster may visit

For natural disasters, claims only proceed after official government declaration.

18. Why Home Insurance Is Essential When Moving to France

When relocating — particularly from the UK or US — many people underestimate:

• Storm intensity in some regions

• Flood risk in river valleys

• Liability exposure

• Differences in French legal responsibility

Home insurance is not just about protecting bricks and furniture.

It protects:

• Your finances

• Your legal position

• Your lifestyle

• Your peace of mind

Final Thoughts

For anyone building a new life in France:

Home insurance is not an afterthought.

It should be arranged:

• Immediately after signing the compromis

• Before key handover

• Before tenants move in

• Before renovation begins

Whether you are moving permanently, buying a gîte, or investing in a rural renovation project, understanding French insurance structures is an essential part of protecting your investment.

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