Home Insurance for Tenants in France (2026 Guide)

Home insurance is **legally mandatory for any tenant of an unfurnished home in France** under Article 7 of Law n°89-462 of 6 July 1989. The minimum required cover is "rental risks" (fire, explosion, water damage). For furnished homes, since the ALUR law (2014) the landlord can also require insurance, except in some seasonal lets. The tenant must hand a certificate ("attestation d'assurance habitation") to the landlord at lease signing and on every annual renewal. In 2026, the rules are unchanged; what evolves are the premiums and the optional cover offered. For more on insurance in France, see our complete guides.

> **Key takeaways**

> - **Mandatory** for tenants in unfurnished housing (Loi n°89-462, Art. 7) — no exception.

> - Minimum cover = **"rental risks"**: fire, explosion, water damage to the property.

> - For **furnished housing** since the ALUR law (2014), the landlord can require the same.

> - Personal belongings, civil liability and theft are **not** covered by the legal minimum — add them.

> - No insurance certificate? The landlord can subscribe in your name and bill you up to **110%** of the premium, then terminate the lease after formal notice.

> - In a dispute, Service-Public.fr, the Médiateur de l'Assurance and the ACPR (French Prudential Authority) are the official routes.

> - Premiums in 2026 are rising 4–10% in climate-exposed areas; see our home insurance 2026 increases guide.

Is home insurance mandatory for tenants in France?

Unfurnished housing — yes, always

Article 7 of the law of 6 July 1989 makes home insurance compulsory for tenants in unfurnished residential leases. The lease itself almost always restates the obligation. The tenant must:

• Be insured at least against **rental risks** ("risques locatifs") from the day they receive the keys;
• Hand the landlord an **attestation** at signing;
• Provide a fresh attestation **every year** at the anniversary date of the lease.

Furnished housing — usually yes

Before the ALUR law (Law n°2014-366 of 24 March 2014), insurance was not strictly required for furnished housing. Since ALUR, the landlord of a furnished home — when it is the tenant's main residence — can require the same cover. Holiday rentals and seasonal lets are outside the obligation but the tenant remains liable for any damage caused.

What happens if you do not insure?

If you fail to produce a certificate after a formal notice ("mise en demeure") that goes unanswered for **one month**:

• The landlord can subscribe to insurance on your behalf and recover the premium from you, plus a maximum 10% administration fee (so 110% total).
• The landlord can also terminate the lease in court for failure to meet a contractual obligation.

The Service-Public.fr page on tenant insurance summarises these rules in plain language.

What does the legal minimum cover?

Rental risk cover — protects the building, not your belongings

"Risques locatifs" cover damage you cause to the rented property itself: fire, explosion, water damage. It exists to protect the landlord's asset. It does **not** cover:

• Your own furniture, clothing, electronics or personal belongings.
• Damage you cause to your neighbours (e.g. a leak that floods the flat below).
• Theft or burglary of your possessions.
• Glass breakage, garden equipment, items in shared storage rooms.

This is why almost every tenant chooses a **multirisque habitation (MRH)** contract that extends beyond the legal minimum.

What a sensible tenant policy actually adds

Civil liability ("responsabilité civile vie privée")

Essential. It covers damage you, your children or your pet cause to other people in everyday life — including a leak that damages the neighbour's ceiling. Sometimes already bundled in a school or family insurance; check before duplicating.

Personal property cover ("garantie des biens")

Reimburses your furniture, appliances, clothes and valuables in case of fire, water damage, theft (with conditions), or natural disaster. You set the **furniture capital** ("capital mobilier"): the maximum total you can be paid back. Under-estimate and the **proportional rule** ("règle proportionnelle") will reduce any payout; over-estimate and you pay too much in premium.

Theft and vandalism

Optional but widely chosen. Check the conditions carefully: most contracts require visible signs of forced entry, certified locks, and sometimes an alarm. Items stored in a cellar or on a balcony may be excluded or capped.

Natural and technological disasters

Included by law in any home insurance contract through the **Cat Nat** scheme (Articles L. 125-1 onwards of the Code des assurances). The contribution appears as a separate line on your premium and is set annually by the State.

Glass breakage, electrical damage, legal protection

Common optional add-ons that the DGCCRF (consumer protection authority) recommends comparing carefully — coverage ceilings vary widely between insurers.

Valuing your belongings the right way

Furniture capital

This is the maximum the insurer will pay you in case of total loss. Walk through each room and estimate replacement value (not original purchase price). Photographic inventory is a good habit: it speeds up claims and proves ownership.

The proportional rule

If your capital is set at €10,000 but the actual value of your belongings is €20,000, every claim is paid at 50% of the loss — even partial losses. The rule is set by Article L. 121-5 of the Code des assurances.

Valuables

Jewellery, art, high-end electronics: most contracts cap the per-item payout (often €1,500 to €3,000) and may require declaration above a threshold (commonly €2,000 to €5,000). Some insurers ask for receipts or appraisals.

Deductibles ("franchises")

What it is

The amount you pay yourself on each claim. €150 deductible = the first €150 of damage are yours.

Fixed vs proportional

Most contracts apply a **fixed** deductible (€150, €300, €500). Some apply a **proportional** rate (5% or 10% of the damage) with a minimum and a maximum. The Cat Nat scheme has a **legal minimum deductible** of €380 per home (higher for vehicles and floods), set by ministerial decree — your insurer cannot lower it.

Trade-off

Raising the deductible from €200 to €500 typically cuts the premium by 10–15%. Pick a level you can genuinely afford.

The insurance certificate ("attestation d'assurance habitation")

What it is

A short document the insurer issues each year, naming the policyholder, the address, the contract number, the validity period and the cover. It is the proof the landlord can require by law.

How to get it

It is automatically sent at subscription and at every renewal. You can usually download it on demand from your customer area. Some online insurers send it in seconds via email or app.

When to give it

• At lease signing.
• At every anniversary of the lease.
• On request from the landlord during the lease.

A landlord who does not get the certificate can use the procedure described above (substitution + termination).

How premiums are evolving in 2026

According to France Assureurs and the ACPR, tenant home insurance premiums in 2026 follow the broader market: +4 to +6% on standard contracts, +8 to +10% in climate-exposed zones. The drivers are the same as for owners: repair-cost inflation, reinsurance market tightening, and a rising Cat Nat contribution. The Loi Hamon (2014) still lets you switch insurer at no cost after the first 12 months — see our Hamon Law guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is home insurance mandatory for all tenants in France in 2026?

Yes for unfurnished housing (Loi n°89-462 of 6 July 1989, Article 7). For furnished main residences, since the ALUR law of 2014 the landlord can also require it. Holiday and seasonal lets are outside the obligation, but the tenant remains liable for damage.

What is the minimum cover I must take out as a tenant?

"Risques locatifs": fire, explosion and water damage to the rented property. It does not cover your own belongings, civil liability, or damage to neighbours — most tenants therefore take a multirisque habitation contract.

What happens if I do not have insurance?

After a one-month formal notice that goes unanswered, the landlord can take out insurance in your name and bill you up to 110% of the premium, then terminate the lease in court.

Is my deposit ("dépôt de garantie") enough to cover damage?

No. The deposit covers minor wear-and-tear or unpaid rent at the end of the lease. Material damage from fire or water can run into tens of thousands of euros and is precisely what insurance is for.

Can the landlord choose my insurer?

No. You are free to choose any insurer authorised by the ACPR. The landlord can only require proof that you are insured for at least the rental risks.

Can I switch insurer mid-contract?

After the first 12 months, yes, at no cost, under the Loi Hamon (Article L. 113-15-2 of the Code des assurances). Your new insurer handles the cancellation — see our Hamon Law guide.

Is the Cat Nat deductible compulsory?

Yes. The minimum Cat Nat deductible is set by ministerial decree (currently €380 per home; €1,520 for damage caused by ground swelling from drought). Your insurer cannot waive it.

Related Articles

• Home Insurance 2026 Increases
• Hamon Law: Cancel Insurance Easily
• Insurance section — checkeverything.fr

Sources

• Service-Public.fr — Tenant home insurance
• Légifrance — Loi n°89-462 of 6 July 1989, Article 7
• Légifrance — Code des assurances (Articles L. 121-5, L. 125-1, L. 113-15-2)
• ACPR — French Prudential Authority
• France Assureurs (FFSA)
• DGCCRF — Consumer protection authority
• Médiateur de l'Assurance

Last updated 28 May 2026. checkeverything.fr is an information portal; this article is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial, legal, or insurance advice. Read the "Conditions Générales" of your contract carefully before subscribing. For your specific situation, consult a regulated insurance broker, your insurer, or the official sources listed above.