When taking out home insurance in France, one term often causes confusion for expatriates and international property owners : the excess, also known as the deductible. In French, this is called the franchise.
Understanding how deductibles work is essential because they directly affect how much you will receive after a claim and how much you will need to pay yourself.
What is an excess in French home insurance ?
An excess is the amount you remain responsible for after an insured claim.
For example, if a covered water damage claim costs €2,000 and your policy includes a €250 excess, the insurer may reimburse €1,750. The remaining €250 is paid by you.
This mechanism exists to share part of the risk between the insurer and the policyholder.
Are deductibles always applied ?
Not always. Some guarantees may have no excess, while others may include a fixed or variable amount.
The deductible can depend on :
- The type of claim ;
- The insurer ;
- The level of cover chosen ;
- The property’s location ;
- Whether the claim involves natural disasters ;
- Previous claims history.
This is why it is important to read the policy schedule carefully before signing.
Fixed excess vs percentage excess
French home insurance policies may apply deductibles in different ways.
Fixed excess
A fixed excess is a specific amount, such as €150, €250 or €500.
This is easy to understand because the amount deducted from the claim remains the same, regardless of the total loss.
Percentage excess
A percentage excess is calculated as a proportion of the claim amount.
For example, the contract may apply a 10% deductible, sometimes with a minimum or maximum amount.
This type of excess can have a larger impact on expensive claims, so it should be reviewed carefully.
Deductibles for natural disasters
In France, claims linked to officially recognised natural disasters may follow specific rules.
These events are known as catastrophes naturelles and can include flooding, drought, landslides or other serious events recognised by public authorities.
In these cases, the deductible may be set by regulation or by the specific conditions of the policy.
For properties located in higher-risk areas, this point deserves particular attention.
How does the excess affect your premium ?
The level of excess can influence the cost of your home insurance.
A higher deductible may reduce the annual premium because you accept a larger share of the cost in the event of a claim.
A lower deductible usually provides better comfort after a loss but may increase the premium.
The best choice depends on your budget, your risk tolerance and the value of the property insured.
Why expats should pay close attention
For expatriates and non-residents, deductibles are particularly important because managing repairs from abroad can already be stressful.
A low premium with high deductibles may seem attractive at first, but it can become expensive when a claim occurs.
This is especially true for second homes, holiday homes or rental properties, where damage may be discovered late and repair costs can be significant.
Example
Laura, a British expat living in Singapore, owns an apartment in Bordeaux.
A water leak causes €3,500 of damage. Her policy includes a €400 excess for water damage.
After the claim is assessed, the insurer reimburses the eligible amount minus the €400 deductible.
Because Laura had reviewed her contract in advance, she knew exactly what part of the claim would remain at her expense.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many property owners compare home insurance policies only by looking at the annual premium.
This can be misleading.
A cheaper contract may include higher deductibles, lower reimbursement limits or stricter exclusions.
Another mistake is assuming that the same excess applies to every claim. In reality, theft, water damage, glass breakage and natural disasters may all have different deductible rules.
Conclusion
Excesses and deductibles are a key part of French home insurance. They determine how much remains payable by the policyholder after a claim and can significantly affect the real value of your cover.
Before choosing a policy, expatriates and non-residents should compare not only the premium, but also the deductibles, reimbursement limits and exclusions.At France Protect Insurance, we help international property owners, tenants and landlords understand French home insurance policies and compare solutions adapted to their property, budget and risk profile.