Choosing the right insurance in France is important, but what happens if your current policy no longer suits your needs? For expatriates, non-residents and international property owners, this question is especially relevant when circumstances change : a property becomes rented, a second home remains vacant for longer, or a better offer becomes available.
The Loi Hamon made it much easier for policyholders in France to cancel and switch certain insurance contracts after the first year.
What is the Loi Hamon ?
The Loi Hamon is a French consumer law that simplified insurance cancellation rules.
Before this reform, many policyholders were tied to annual renewal dates and strict notice periods. Missing the deadline often meant staying with the same insurer for another year.
With the Loi Hamon, certain insurance contracts can be cancelled at any time after the first 12 months.
This gives policyholders more flexibility and makes it easier to compare offers.
Which insurance policies are concerned?
The Loi Hamon applies to several types of insurance, including many home insurance contracts.
This is particularly useful for :
- Homeowners ;
- Tenants ;
- Landlords ;
- Holiday home owners ;
- Non-resident property owners.
It may also apply to other personal insurance contracts, such as motor insurance.
However, not every contract is covered in the same way, so it is important to check your policy conditions.
Can you cancel home insurance at any time ?
In many cases, yes — but only after the first year of the contract.
During the first 12 months, you generally remain committed to the initial policy period unless a specific legal reason allows earlier cancellation.
After the first year, you can usually cancel your home insurance without waiting for the anniversary date.
This makes switching insurer much easier.
How does the cancellation process work ?
If you are switching to a new insurer, the new insurance provider may often handle the cancellation process for you.
This is designed to avoid gaps in cover, especially when the insurance is compulsory, such as tenant insurance.
The process generally involves :
- Comparing new insurance offers ;
- Choosing a replacement policy ;
- Signing the new contract ;
- Sending a cancellation request to the current insurer ;
- Ensuring continuous cover between the two contracts.
For property owners abroad, this administrative support can be particularly helpful.
Why change your French insurance policy ?
There are several reasons to review and change your insurance.
You may want to :
- Reduce your annual premium ;
- Obtain better cover ;
- Remove unsuitable exclusions ;
- Adapt the policy to rental activity ;
- Add second-home or vacancy protection ;
- Improve claims assistance from abroad.
For expatriates, a policy purchased quickly during a property transaction may no longer be the best option a few years later.
What should expats watch out for ?
Before cancelling, expatriates and non-residents should make sure the new policy properly covers their real situation.
Key points to check include :
- Long vacancy periods ;
- Holiday home use ;
- Furnished or unfurnished rental ;
- Short-term rental activity ;
- Liability cover ;
- Claims management from abroad ;
- Language support and assistance services.
A cheaper policy is not always better if it contains restrictive exclusions.
Example
Claire lives in Australia and owns an apartment in Paris that she initially used as a second home.
Two years later, she decides to rent it furnished.
Her original insurance policy no longer matches the property’s use.
Thanks to the Loi Hamon, she can switch to a more suitable landlord policy after the first year without waiting for the annual renewal date.
Common mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is cancelling before the new policy is active. This can leave the property uninsured.
The second is comparing only the price without reviewing cover limits, exclusions and deductibles.
The third is failing to declare a change in property use, such as moving from personal use to rental activity.
Conclusion
The Loi Hamon has made it much easier to cancel and change many French insurance contracts after the first year. For homeowners, tenants, landlords and expatriates, this flexibility is a valuable opportunity to improve cover, reduce costs and adapt insurance to changing circumstances.
At France Protect Insurance, we help expatriates, non-residents and international property owners review, compare and switch French insurance policies with confidence, ensuring your cover remains adapted to your property and lifestyle abroad.