The assurance multirisque habitation (MRH) is the foundation of home insurance in France. Understanding what it includes — and crucially what it excludes — is essential for any property owner.

What MRH Covers

A standard MRH policy covers fire and explosion, water damage, theft and vandalism, storm and natural events, public liability, and legal expenses.

Key Exclusions to Watch For

Standard MRH policies typically exclude damage caused by gradual deterioration, subsidence unless specifically added, and professional use of the property.

After years of helping international clients protect their French properties, we have identified the mistakes that appear most frequently. Here are the top five — and how to avoid them.

1. Underinsuring the Property

French construction costs are significantly higher than in many other countries. Always insure to the full rebuild cost, not the purchase price.

2. Ignoring Unoccupied Property Clauses

Most standard policies include clauses that limit or void cover after a property has been unoccupied for 30-90 days. If your property is a holiday home, you need specific unoccupied property cover.

3. Failing to Declare High-Value Items

Standard contents policies typically cap individual item claims at low values. Fine art, jewellery, and wine collections require individual declaration and agreed-value cover.

As a non-resident property owner in France, understanding your insurance obligations can be complex. French law requires all property owners to hold at minimum a responsabilite civile (public liability) policy, and lenders will require comprehensive buildings cover if there is a mortgage.

What Cover Do You Need?

Most non-residents require a combination of buildings insurance, contents cover, and public liability. If your property is rented out, you will also need landlord liability cover.

Common Pitfalls

The most frequent mistake we see is underinsurance — particularly for high-value properties or those containing fine art, jewellery, or wine collections. Standard policies often exclude these items or set low limits that leave owners exposed.

How France Protect Can Help

Our team specialises in sourcing cover for non-resident and expat profiles that many traditional insurers are unwilling to underwrite. We work with a panel of leading insurers to find the most appropriate, competitively priced solution for your situation.

For self-employed expats and freelancers operating in or from France, income protection is both essential and complicated. Without the safety net of an employer’s sick pay scheme, a period of illness or disability can have immediate financial consequences.

The Self-Employment Gap

French social security provides some protection for registered auto-entrepreneurs, but the benefit levels are modest and many self-employed expats fall outside the French system entirely.

Private Income Protection Options

A well-structured private income protection policy can replace 60-80% of your gross income during periods of incapacity.

The Loi Lemoine, which came into full effect in September 2022, fundamentally changed the French mortgage insurance landscape. It allows all borrowers — including non-residents — to switch their loan insurance provider at any time, without waiting for the policy anniversary date.

What Changed?

Previously, borrowers were restricted to switching only on the anniversary of their policy. The Loi Lemoine removed this restriction entirely, meaning you can now request a change at any point during the life of your loan.

What This Means for Expats

Many international clients are still locked into expensive bank-arranged block policies. These are typically 20-40% more expensive than individually underwritten alternatives. The Loi Lemoine gives you the right to switch and save.

The French insurance market continues to evolve in 2026, with several developments of particular relevance to international property owners and expats.

Premium Trends

Property insurance premiums have increased by an average of 6-8% following several years of significant natural disaster claims, particularly in southern France.

Climate Risk and Coverage

The Caisse Centrale de Reassurance has updated its natural disaster classification criteria. Property owners in newly designated risk zones may find their current cover insufficient and should review their policies accordingly.

The French insurance market continues to evolve in 2026, with several developments of particular relevance to international property owners and expats.

Premium Trends

Property insurance premiums have increased by an average of 6-8% following several years of significant natural disaster claims, particularly in southern France.

Climate Risk and Coverage

The Caisse Centrale de Reassurance has updated its natural disaster classification criteria. Property owners in newly designated risk zones may find their current cover insufficient and should review their policies accordingly.

As a non-resident property owner in France, understanding your insurance obligations can be complex. French law requires all property owners to hold at minimum a responsabilite civile (public liability) policy, and lenders will require comprehensive buildings cover if there is a mortgage.

What Cover Do You Need?

Most non-residents require a combination of buildings insurance, contents cover, and public liability. If your property is rented out, you will also need landlord liability cover.

Common Pitfalls

The most frequent mistake we see is underinsurance — particularly for high-value properties or those containing fine art, jewellery, or wine collections. Standard policies often exclude these items or set low limits that leave owners exposed.

How France Protect Can Help

Our team specialises in sourcing cover for non-resident and expat profiles that many traditional insurers are unwilling to underwrite. We work with a panel of leading insurers to find the most appropriate, competitively priced solution for your situation.

For self-employed expats and freelancers operating in or from France, income protection is both essential and complicated. Without the safety net of an employer’s sick pay scheme, a period of illness or disability can have immediate financial consequences.

The Self-Employment Gap

French social security provides some protection for registered auto-entrepreneurs, but the benefit levels are modest and many self-employed expats fall outside the French system entirely.

Private Income Protection Options

A well-structured private income protection policy can replace 60-80% of your gross income during periods of incapacity.

The assurance multirisque habitation (MRH) is the foundation of home insurance in France. Understanding what it includes — and crucially what it excludes — is essential for any property owner.

What MRH Covers

A standard MRH policy covers fire and explosion, water damage, theft and vandalism, storm and natural events, public liability, and legal expenses.

Key Exclusions to Watch For

Standard MRH policies typically exclude damage caused by gradual deterioration, subsidence unless specifically added, and professional use of the property.