Obtaining Mortgage Insurance is an essential step when financing a property purchase in France. However, some applicants may face additional challenges during the underwriting process. People working in hazardous occupations, participating in high-risk sports or living with certain medical conditions may be subject to a more detailed risk assessment.
Fortunately, this does not mean that obtaining Mortgage Insurance is impossible. A wide range of solutions exists to provide suitable cover for almost every situation.
Why Are Some Borrowers Considered Higher Risk ?
Mortgage Insurance is based on an assessment of the level of risk presented by each applicant.
When certain occupations, hobbies or medical conditions statistically increase the likelihood of death, disability or incapacity to work, insurers may apply specific underwriting conditions.
The purpose of this assessment is not to exclude borrowers, but to ensure that the insurance policy accurately reflects the level of risk involved.
Hazardous Occupations
Certain professions are considered to present a higher-than-average level of occupational risk.
These commonly include:
- Military personnel.
- Firefighters.
- Police officers and law enforcement professionals.
- Security personnel.
- Certain construction workers.
- Employees working at height.
- Professionals operating in hazardous environments.
Depending on the nature of the applicant’s duties, the insurer may request additional information or apply an extra premium.
In some situations, specific guarantees may also be subject to exclusions.
High-Risk Sports
Sporting activities can also influence the conditions of Mortgage Insurance.
Activities most commonly reviewed by insurers include:
- Scuba diving.
- Skydiving.
- Mountaineering.
- Paragliding.
- Motorsport.
- Aviation sports.
- Certain competitive combat sports.
Insurers generally consider:
- How frequently the activity is practised.
- Whether it is recreational or competitive.
- The conditions under which it is performed.
Occasional participation does not automatically result in higher insurance premiums.
Medical Conditions and Increased Health Risks
Medical history is another important element of the underwriting process.
A chronic illness, previous serious medical condition or ongoing treatment may lead the insurer to request additional medical examinations.
Following this assessment, several outcomes are possible :
- Acceptance under standard terms.
- Acceptance with an additional premium.
- Acceptance with exclusions for certain guarantees.
- In more exceptional cases, refusal of cover.
Each insurer applies its own underwriting criteria, making it particularly important to compare several insurance providers.
The Right to Be Forgotten
Recent legislative reforms in France have introduced the Right to Be Forgotten for certain former medical conditions.
Under specific conditions established by French law, borrowers who have recovered from certain serious illnesses—including some cancers—are no longer required to declare these conditions when applying for Mortgage Insurance.
This measure has significantly improved access to mortgage financing for many borrowers.
The AERAS Agreement
France also operates the AERAS Agreement (S’Assurer et Emprunter avec un Risque Aggravé de Santé), a national scheme designed to improve access to insurance for people presenting an increased health risk.
When an application cannot be accepted under standard underwriting conditions, the file may be reviewed through several additional assessment stages in order to identify a suitable insurance solution.
The AERAS Agreement has enabled many borrowers to obtain mortgage financing that would previously have been difficult—or even impossible—to secure.
How Can You Improve Your Chances of Being Accepted ?
Even if your profile presents additional risks, several good practices can strengthen your application :
- Complete the medical questionnaire honestly and accurately.
- Provide all requested documents as quickly as possible.
- Clearly explain your occupation or sporting activities.
- Compare several specialist insurers.
- Work with a broker experienced in higher-risk borrower profiles.
One insurer may decline an application, while another may accept exactly the same profile under competitive conditions.
A Practical Example
Thomas is a French expatriate living in the United Arab Emirates.
A former military officer, he regularly practises scuba diving.
The first insurer he contacts applies a substantial additional premium.
After comparing several specialist insurers, he eventually secures Mortgage Insurance offering equivalent guarantees with a much lower premium increase and only limited policy exclusions.
This example demonstrates the importance of looking beyond the first insurance offer you receive.
Conclusion
Working in a hazardous occupation, practising high-risk sports or having a previous medical condition does not mean you cannot obtain Mortgage Insurance.
Thanks to increased competition between insurers, the Right to Be Forgotten and the AERAS Agreement, many borrowers now have access to solutions specifically designed for higher-risk profiles.
The key is choosing an insurance policy that genuinely reflects your occupation, health profile and lifestyle while providing the level of protection required for your property project.
Are you a French expatriate, do you work in a high-risk profession, or do you have an increased medical Risk? France Protect Insurance compares specialist Mortgage Insurance solutions to help you secure the right cover and successfully finance your property purchase in France under the best possible conditions.