Expert analysis and updates to help you navigate French insurance with confidence.
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France is home to some of the world’s most prestigious real estate, from luxury Parisian apartments and Alpine chalets to Provençal estates and villas on the French Riviera. For expatriates and international buyers, these exceptional properties require more than a standard homeowners insurance policy. Traditional policies often fall short when it comes to covering architectural […]
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Renting out a property on Airbnb or through other short-term rental platforms has become increasingly popular in France. For expatriates and non-residents, it is an excellent way to generate income from a second home while they are living abroad. However, many owners mistakenly believe that a standard homeowners insurance policy automatically covers short-term rentals. In […]
READBeyond the interest rate of yout French Mortgage, Mortagge Protection Insurance (Assurance Emprunteur) represents a significant financial variable. For Non-Residents, insurance pricing is subject to specific criteria related to geographical distance and international risks. So, what budget should you realistically plan for to secure your investment? How is Your Loan Insurance Pricing Calculated? The price […]
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A burglary in your French property can be stressful, especially if you live abroad and manage the situation remotely. Whether the property is a main residence, holiday home or rental investment, knowing the right steps can help secure the premises and support your insurance claim. For expatriates and non-residents, preparation is key. French insurers usually […]
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Water damage (dégât des eaux) is one of the most common home insurance claims in France. Whether caused by a burst pipe, a leaking roof, faulty plumbing or an overflowing washing machine, water damage can quickly become expensive—especially if you own a property from abroad. For expatriates and non-residents, knowing how to react can make […]
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Owning a holiday home in France is a dream for many expatriates and international buyers. But when you live abroad, your property may remain empty for long periods, making the right home insurance essential. A French holiday home faces different risks from a main residence. Water leaks, burglary, storm damage or maintenance issues can become […]
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Whether you’re moving to France, investing in rental property or buying a second home, one question often arises : who is responsible for home insurance—the tenant or the landlord ? The answer depends on the type of property, how it is occupied and French legal requirements. Understanding each party’s responsibilities is essential to avoid disputes […]
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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 […]
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When arranging home insurance in France, one term appears in almost every policy: responsabilité civile. In English, this is usually translated as third-party liability or civil liability. For expatriates, non-residents and international property owners, understanding responsabilité civile is essential. It can protect you financially if you accidentally cause damage to another person, their property or […]
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French home insurance may seem similar to policies available in other countries, but it includes several unique features that often surprise expatriates and international property owners. Whether you own a holiday home, a rental property or your main residence in France, understanding these differences can help you choose the right policy and avoid unexpected gaps […]
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Buying home insurance in France is essential for protecting your property, but many homeowners only discover the limits of their cover after making a claim. Like any insurance contract, French home insurance policies contain exclusions—situations where the insurer will not provide compensation. Understanding these exclusions is just as important as knowing what your policy covers. […]
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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 […]
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When comparing homeowners insurance in France, many property owners focus on the price alone. However, insurance premiums can vary significantly from one policy to another, even for similar properties. So, how is your French home insurance premium calculated ? Whether you are an expatriate, a non-resident, a landlord or the owner of a holiday home, […]
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Taking out home insurance is an essential step when buying, renting, or owning property in France. However, French insurance policies can sometimes seem complex, particularly for expatriates and non-residents who are unfamiliar with local regulations and terminology. A standard French home insurance policy, commonly known as Assurance Multirisque Habitation (MRH), combines several guarantees designed to […]
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Renting a property in France is a common option for expatriates, students, professionals and families relocating from abroad. But before moving in, one important question must be addressed: what homeowners insurance do you need as a tenant in France ? Unlike some property owners, tenants in France are generally required to have home insurance. This […]
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Owning a holiday home in France is a dream for many expatriates and international buyers. Whether your property is located in Provence, the Alps, Brittany or on the French Riviera, it represents both a lifestyle asset and a valuable investment. However, a holiday home also carries specific risks. Because it is often unoccupied for long […]
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Moving into your dream French home is an exciting milestone, but navigating the local assurance habitation market can quickly feel overwhelming. For expats, second-home owners, or investors, securing the right homeowners insurance is about more than just peace of mind—it is often a strict legal or contractual requirement. Understanding the unique landscape of French property […]
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Owning a property in France is a wonderful investment, but transitioning from an occasional holiday home to a rental asset introduces unique legal obligations. Many International owners mistakenly assume their standard French home insurance remains valid when tenants move in. In France, the regulations are highly specific. Whether you are venturing into long-term lets or […]
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Buying a property in France while living abroad is an exciting project. Whether you’re purchasing a holiday home, an investment property or planning your return to France, one question quickly arises : is homeowners insurance compulsory in France ? The answer depends on your situation. In some cases, home insurance is legally required. In others, […]
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When taking out a mortgage in France, your lender will almost always require you to arrange Mortgage Insurance. However, not all insurance policies provide the same guarantees, and understanding what each one covers is not always straightforward. For French expatriates and non-residents financing property in France, choosing the right guarantees is a crucial step. Some […]
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Choosing Mortgage Insurance is about far more than finding the lowest premium. You also need to compare policy guarantees, ensure they meet your lender’s requirements, anticipate any medical underwriting and select cover that genuinely matches your personal profile. For French expatriates, non-residents and borrowers with more complex situations, this process can quickly become challenging. That […]
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Changing your Mortgage Insurance has never been easier. Thanks to the Lemoine Law, borrowers can now cancel and replace their mortgage insurance policy at any time, without waiting for the annual renewal date. This reform offers a valuable opportunity to reduce the overall cost of a mortgage, obtain better coverage or adapt your insurance to […]
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Buying property in France while living abroad is a common goal for many French expatriates and non-residents. However, obtaining suitable Mortgage Insurance can quickly become one of the most challenging aspects of the mortgage process. From country-specific underwriting restrictions and medical formalities to the sometimes restrictive policies of traditional insurers, international borrowers often face obstacles […]
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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 […]
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When applying for Mortgage Insurance, insurers will usually ask for information about your health. Depending on your age, medical history and the amount you wish to borrow, a simple medical questionnaire may be sufficient—or additional medical examinations may be required. Since the introduction of the Lemoine Law, medical formalities have been simplified in certain situations. […]
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Mortgage Insurance protects your mortgage in the event of death, disability or temporary incapacity to work. However, beyond its protective role, it also raises several tax-related questions. Are Mortgage Insurance premiums tax deductible? Are insurance benefits taxable ? What happens if you purchase property through an SCI or an SARL ? The answer depends largely […]
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Taking out Mortgage Insurance protects your mortgage against life’s unexpected events. But what actually happens when you need to make a claim ? Whether it involves death, disability or temporary incapacity to work, every situation follows a clearly defined claims process. Understanding how Mortgage Insurance claims are handled helps you prepare the necessary documents, anticipate […]
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One of the most common questions about Mortgage Insurance is: who actually receives the money when a claim is made ? Many people assume that the insurance payout goes directly to the borrower’s family or heirs. In reality, the process is quite different. In most situations, the insurance benefits are paid directly to the lending […]
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When taking out Mortgage Insurance, three terms appear repeatedly: policyholder, insured person, and beneficiary. Although they are often confused, they refer to very different roles within an insurance contract. Understanding these distinctions is particularly important for French expatriates, non-residents, and borrowers purchasing property through a French property company such as an SCI (Société Civile Immobilière) […]
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The cost of Mortgage Insurance can represent a significant proportion of the overall cost of a mortgage. Yet, it is often less well understood than the mortgage interest rate itself. Between insurance rates, the Annual Percentage Rate of Insurance (APRI), fixed premiums, outstanding loan balances and the guarantees included, several factors determine the final cost. […]
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When taking out a mortgage in France, Mortgage Insurance is almost always part of the process. For many years, banks dominated the market by offering only their own insurance policies. Today, thanks to increased competition, borrowers are free to choose between the insurance offered by their lender and an independent policy through what is known […]
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For many years, taking out a mortgage in France automatically meant accepting the Mortgage Insurance offered by your bank. Today, the situation is very different. Borrowers are free to compare policies, choose their own insurer, and potentially save thousands of euros over the life of their loan. This transformation is the result of several major […]
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When applying for a mortgage in France, whether you live in France or abroad, one question almost always comes up : why does the bank require Mortgage Insurance? Although Mortgage Insurance is not legally mandatory in most situations, it is almost always required by lenders before approving a mortgage. For French expatriates and non-residents, this […]
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