Login
First published in December 2022
Updated August 2025
Your home is your haven. Whether it’s your peaceful countryside escape or your base in the bustling heart of Paris, knowing how to protect it is essential. In France, as in most countries, home insurance plays a critical role in providing peace of mind. But what happens when the unexpected strikes? Whether it’s storm damage, flooding, fire, or even a burst pipe, understanding what to do when something goes wrong with your house in France is key.
Let’s explore the practical steps to take, what your home insurance France typically covers, and how to ensure you get the support you need, with a bit of humour to keep things light.
Here’s the basic rundown of what to do if something goes wrong with your home.
Understand the Livable vs. Unlivable Distinction
When disaster strikes, the first thing to consider is whether your property is still liveable. French home insurance providers categorise incidents based on whether the home remains habitable:
Liveable: Damage has occurred, but it's still safe to live in the home. For example, a leaky roof, small fire damage, or burst pipe that doesn’t impact daily living.
Unliveable: The damage makes it unsafe or impossible to stay. Think fire, structural damage, or serious flooding.
This distinction influences how urgent the repair process is and how quickly your insurance claim needs to be processed.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
1. Prioritise Safety First
Whether the house is liveable or not, your first priority should always be safety. Ensure your family and pets are safe. Shut off utilities like water, gas, or electricity if needed.
2. Assess and Document the Damage
Start documenting everything. This is critical for any insurance claim in France.
➡️ Take clear, dated photographs of the damage from multiple angles.
➡️ Use everyday objects like a ruler or hand to show scale, 10cm of water doesn’t look like much in a wide shot.
➡️ Keep all receipts for emergency repairs or temporary accommodations.
➡️ Obtain written assessments or quotes from any tradespeople, ideally including a “statement of fact” outlining why the repair is necessary.
3. Contact Your Insurance Provider ASAP
Under French law, you must report any claim within 48 hours of discovering the damage (or 48 hours after being physically able to do so). This is true whether you’re insured for:
➡️ Multirisque habitation (comprehensive home insurance)
➡️ Propriétaire non occupant (PNO – landlord insurance)
➡️ Secondary residence coverage
Reach out to your home insurance provider and provide them with all the documentation. Most companies will have a claims department ready to advise you on the next steps.
4. Repairs: What Can You Do?
If your home is liveable, insurers usually prefer you to wait for their approved contractors or quotes. They may only cover costs up to a certain limit.
If the home is unliveable, you are allowed to begin immediate repairs to make it safe. For example: boarding up windows, pumping out water or removing debris
Make sure to keep invoices and statements of work for everything.
5. Know What Your Insurance Covers (And What It Doesn’t)
French home insurance policies vary, but most multirisque habitation policies cover:
✅ Fire and smoke damage
✅ Water damage (excluding slow leaks or lack of maintenance)
✅ Storms, hail, snow, and other natural disasters
✅ Theft and vandalism (if burglary protections are in place)
✅ Civil liability
However, accidental damage caused by you, a household member, or a relative is often not covered. So if your uncle Jean-Pierre lights fireworks in the living room, expect to foot that bill.
How to Make a Home Insurance Claim in France
Most French home insurers now operate online. You’ll generally:
➡️ Log into your insurance portal.
➡️ Submit the incident report.
➡️ Attach photos, videos, and scanned documents.
➡️ Provide repair estimates and receipts.
➡️ Wait for an expert (expert d’assurance) to assess the damage.
If the insurer needs clarification, they may send someone to your property to perform an inspection.
Top Tips to Strengthen Your Claim
✅ Take ‘before' photos of your home when it’s in good condition.
✅ Keep digital copies of purchase receipts and guarantees.
✅ Read your insurance contract and understand exclusions.
✅ Document minor incidents too. If that crack in the ceiling grows into something worse, you’ll be ready.
Remember, in France, insurance companies are required to hold three times their annual revenue in reserves. If your claim is valid and documented, they will pay out.
What If You're Renting or Own a Second Home?
If you're a tenant, you are legally required to have home insurance. Your policy typically covers your belongings and third-party liability. Damage to the structure is covered by the landlord.
If you own a holiday home in France, make sure your insurance specifies that it’s a residence secondaire. Policies for secondary homes are different and may have limited theft cover.
Need More Help?
Still unsure what to do if disaster strikes your French home? We've got you covered.
🎥 Check out our video: What to Do if Something Goes Wrong in Your House in France
Ready to protect your French property? Get a home insurance quote from Fab French Insurance
