Home Insurance in France

Home Insurance in France Explained

Home insurance in France (assurance habitation) works differently than in many countries. For tenants, it's a legal obligation, not optional. Your landlord will ask for proof of coverage before you get the keys, and they can check again every year. For homeowners, there's no law forcing you to insure, but mortgage lenders require it, and condominium rules almost always do too.

The standard policy, called multirisques habitation (MRH), bundles property damage and civil liability into one contract. It covers the kind of things that keep people up at night: a kitchen fire, a burst pipe flooding the apartment below, a break-in while you're on holiday. It also covers damage from officially declared natural disasters like floods and earthquakes.

Whether you're a French resident, an expat who just arrived, or an international student renting your first studio, this guide walks through the legal requirements, what's actually covered (and what isn't), how much you'll pay, and the practical steps to get insured. If you also need health insurance (mutuelle) or car insurance, we have separate guides for those.

Legal Requirements: Who Must Have Insurance?

For Tenants (Renters)

If you rent in France, insurance is mandatory. Article 7g of Law n°89-462 of 6 July 1989 requires every tenant to carry at minimum "risques locatifs" coverage, which protects against fire, explosion, and water damage to the rented property. This applies to:

• Unfurnished rentals (location nue)
• Furnished rentals (location meublée)
• Social housing (HLM)
• Mobility leases (bail mobilité, Article 25-12 of the same law)
• Student housing in private residences

Your landlord can request proof of insurance (attestation d'assurance) before giving you the keys, and they can ask for an updated copy once a year. If you don't provide it, they have two options.

Most tenants go beyond the bare minimum and get a full MRH policy. The legal minimum only covers damage to the building itself. It doesn't protect your furniture, your laptop, or your liability if your bathtub overflows into the neighbor's apartment. A full policy does.

For Homeowners (Propriétaires)

No law forces homeowners to insure their property. But in practice, going without insurance is rare and risky. Here's why most homeowners carry coverage:

• Mortgage lenders require it. If you have a home loan, your bank won't give you a choice.
• Condominium rules. If you own an apartment in a copropriété, you must carry liability insurance for damage to common areas and neighboring units.
• Financial exposure. Rebuilding after a fire or flood without insurance means paying the full cost yourself. That can easily run into six figures.
• Liability. A tree in your garden falls on the neighbor's car. A water leak from your bathroom damages the apartment below. Without insurance, you're personally liable for all of it.

What Does Home Insurance Cover?

Most people in France have a multirisques habitation (MRH) policy. It bundles several types of protection into a single contract. Here's what a standard MRH typically includes.

Standard Coverage (Garanties de Base)

Optional Coverage (Garanties Optionnelles)

Depending on your situation, you can add:

• Electrical damage: Power surges and electrical faults damaging appliances and electronics
• Frozen pipes: Burst pipes from freezing, particularly important for second homes left empty in winter
• Garden and outbuildings: Sheds, garages, pools, and garden equipment
• Valuable items: Higher limits for jewelry, art, antiques, and expensive electronics
• Legal protection (protection juridique): Covers legal fees for property disputes
• Home assistance: 24/7 emergency help for lockouts, plumbing emergencies, and urgent repairs

What's Typically NOT Covered

Read the exclusions before you need them. Common ones:

• Damage from poor maintenance or gradual wear and tear
• Theft without signs of forced entry (unless you've paid for the upgrade)
• Damage while the home has been vacant for 90 or more consecutive days
• Intentional damage or damage resulting from illegal activities
• Business use of the property unless specifically declared in the policy

Guide for Expats and International Residents

If you've recently moved to France or you're planning to, home insurance is one of the first things you'll need to sort out. You can't sign a lease without it, and most landlords won't hand over keys until they see your attestation d'assurance.

The good news: getting insured is straightforward, even if your French is limited. Several providers operate partly or fully in English. Online insurers have simplified the process to a few minutes of form-filling, and many issue the attestation immediately after payment.

A common mistake among newcomers: buying only the legal minimum (risques locatifs). This covers damage to the building structure but not your own belongings. If your laptop gets stolen or a pipe floods your apartment and ruins your furniture, the minimum coverage pays nothing for your personal losses. Most expats opt for a full MRH policy, which typically costs only €20-50 more per year than the bare minimum.

For a broader overview of insurance types you might need in France, see our complete insurance guide.

How Much Does Home Insurance Cost?

Home insurance in France is cheap relative to what it protects. Premiums rose 2-3% across the country in 2025-2026, driven largely by increasing weather-related claims (which now account for about 35% of all home insurance claims in France, according to insurance industry data). Still, even after the increase, coverage remains affordable.

Average Costs by Property Type

Regional Cost Differences

Where you live matters. Based on 2025-2026 insurance comparison data:

Source: Insurance comparison data published by Connexion France, based on 2025-2026 premium analysis.

What Affects Your Premium

• Location. Urban areas with higher break-in rates cost more. Properties near rivers or in flood zones carry higher premiums.
• Property size and type. More square meters means higher replacement costs. Old buildings with aging electrical or plumbing systems are pricier to insure.
• Security features. Alarm systems, reinforced doors, and shutters can lower your premium.
• Value of contents. More expensive belongings need higher coverage limits and push premiums up.
• Claims history. Previous claims can raise your premium. Some insurers look at the last 3-5 years.
• Deductible (franchise). Choose a higher deductible and you'll pay less each month, but more out of pocket when you make a claim.

Ways to Reduce Your Premium

How to Get Home Insurance in France

The whole process can take as little as 15 minutes online. Here's what to expect.

Attestation d'Assurance: Proof of Insurance

The attestation d'assurance is the document everyone asks about. It's an official certificate from your insurer proving that you have valid coverage. Landlords need it, building management sometimes asks for it, and you'll want it in your records if you ever need to prove liability coverage to a neighbor.

When You Need It

• Before moving in. Landlords require it before giving you the keys. No attestation, no keys.
• Each year at lease renewal. Your landlord can ask for an updated copy annually.
• Condominium requests. Building management (syndic) may ask all residents for proof.
• After an incident. If you cause damage to a neighbor, they may ask to see your insurance certificate.

How to File a Claim (Déclaration de Sinistre)

When something goes wrong, you need to report it quickly. French insurance law sets strict deadlines.

The process

1. 1Document the damage. Take photos and videos before cleaning or repairing anything. For theft, file a police report (dépôt de plainte) immediately.
2. 2Notify your insurer. Call, email, or use the app. Most accept a simple written description to start the process. Some have 24/7 claim hotlines.
3. 3Submit a formal declaration. Send a written claim by registered letter (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception) within the deadline. Include photos, receipts for damaged items, and the police report if applicable.
4. 4Expert assessment. For claims above a certain amount, the insurer sends an expert (expertise amiable) to assess the damage. You can contest their assessment and request a second opinion.
5. 5Settlement. The insurer makes an offer based on the assessment minus your deductible. If it's a water damage claim involving a neighbor, both insurers coordinate through a constat amiable dégâts des eaux (a standard joint damage report form).

Holiday and Second Home Insurance

If you own a holiday home or secondary residence in France, standard home insurance policies may not be enough. Extended vacancy is the main issue: most policies reduce or void coverage if the property sits empty for more than 90 consecutive days.

When insuring a second home, tell the insurer it's a secondary residence (résidence secondaire) and not your primary home. They'll adjust the policy to account for vacancy risks. Expect higher premiums than a primary residence of the same size, particularly for theft and water damage. Frozen pipe coverage is especially important if you leave the home unheated in winter.

Some things worth checking: does the policy require you to visit the property at certain intervals? Are there security requirements (shutters closed, water supply turned off) during absences? Clarify these conditions upfront so a claim doesn't get rejected on a technicality.

Frequently Asked Questions