France (FR)
France is a unitary semi-presidential republic and the EU's most visited country, renowned for its world-class cuisine and wine, the iconic City of Light that is Paris, the French Riviera, iconic Alpine ski resorts, and a generous social state offering universal healthcare, extensive family benefits, and strong worker protections.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in France, prioritised.
The French take insurance pragmatically — they value the essentials (habitation, auto, santé, responsabilité civile) and resist over-insuring. Most contracts auto-renew annually (tacite reconduction); since the Loi Hamon (2015) and Loi Chatel (2005), you can cancel most contracts freely after the first year with 1 month notice. Major life events (move, marriage, divorce, retirement) trigger a 3-month cancellation window. Always ask for a "relevé d'information" before cancelling to secure your bonus-malus history.
Legally Mandatory
- - Assurance habitation (home insurance) — mandatory for all tenants (article 7 loi du 6 juillet 1989). Owners of co-ownership flats also required by the 2014 loi ALUR.
- - Responsabilité civile — mandatory for schoolchildren, students, parents — usually included in multi-risque habitation.
- - Assurance automobile — responsabilité civile (au tiers) mandatory for any vehicle on the road (Code des assurances art. L211-1).
- - Mutuelle santé entreprise — employers must offer and co-fund 50%+ for all salariés since 2016 (ANI). Employee can refuse only in limited cases.
- - Garantie décennale — mandatory for any professional in the construction sector (artisans du bâtiment).
Multi-risque habitation (MRH)
Covers fire, water damage, theft, glass breakage, natural disasters (catastrophes naturelles), and responsabilité civile (damage you cause to others or their property).
Who needs it: Every tenant (mandatory) and every homeowner. Le propriétaire bailleur can also take PNO (Propriétaire Non Occupant) for rental investment.
Annual cost: €80–250/year for a studio; €150–500/year for a T3 in a major city
Always declare the valeur des biens (€20,000–60,000 for a typical flat) honestly. Request the "attestation d'assurance" before the état des lieux d'entrée — the landlord will ask for it.
Responsabilité civile vie privée
Covers accidental damage you cause to third parties — the single most important protection after health.
Who needs it: Everyone. Usually included in MRH. If not resident with an MRH, take an RC through your mutuelle or a dedicated contract.
Annual cost: €0 (included in MRH) to €25/year standalone
Check that family members and pets are covered. For children: request certificate at the rentrée scolaire each year.
Mutuelle santé / Complémentaire santé
Covers the 30% ticket modérateur left by Assurance Maladie, plus dépassements d'honoraires, optical, dental, hearing aids beyond the 100% Santé basic tier.
Who needs it: Everyone living in France. Employees have a mandatory employer mutuelle; independents and retirees subscribe individually.
Annual cost: €360–1,080/year single; €720–1,920/year family (varies hugely by tier)
Low-income: check eligibility for Complémentaire Santé Solidaire (CSS) — free up to €10,166/year single income, reduced premium up to ~€13,724. CSS covers 100% of health costs with no out-of-pocket.
Assurance automobile
Mandatory third-party (au tiers) cover; optional "tous risques" (comprehensive) includes vol, incendie, vandalisme, bris de glace and dommages tous accidents.
Who needs it: Every car and scooter owner.
Annual cost: €300–700/year for au tiers; €500–1,500/year for tous risques. Young drivers and Paris owners pay more.
Bonus-malus: starts at 1.0, drops 5% per claim-free year, can reach 0.5 (max bonus) after 13 years. One at-fault accident adds 25%. Ask for your relevé d'information from your previous insurer — it preserves your bonus.
Assurance emprunteur
Covers decease, permanent disability, work incapacity on a mortgage loan — protects the bank and the borrower's family.
Who needs it: Anyone taking a mortgage (prêt immobilier). Banks require it.
Annual cost: 0.10–0.45% of the loaned capital per year; huge savings via délégation
Since the Loi Lemoine (2022), you can substitute your assurance emprunteur at any time, for free, during the life of the loan. Savings can reach €10,000–25,000 over 20 years vs. the bank's group contract.
Assurance chien catégorisé
Mandatory liability insurance for owners of categorised dogs under the 6 January 1999 law.
Who needs it: Category 1 and 2 dog owners (Pitbulls, Rottweilers, Staffies with pedigree, Tosa Inu, Mastiff).
Annual cost: €60–180/year
Proof of insurance is part of the permis de détention issued by the mairie. Non-categorised dogs are covered via MRH/RC vie privée.
Protection juridique
Legal fees and attorney support for disputes (work, rental, consumer, neighbours, motoring).
Who needs it: Employees, tenants, drivers. Often included in MRH, banking carte premium, or as an add-on.
Annual cost: €60–150/year standalone
Usual waiting period (délai de carence): 3–6 months for most claims. Check the plafond (ceiling) per dispute: €3,000–15,000 typical.
Prévoyance cadre
Income protection: pays a capital or monthly pension in case of long-term illness, permanent disability or death.
Who needs it: Cadres (article 7 de la convention collective nationale des cadres mandates 1.5% employer contribution). Independents and TNS should subscribe Loi Madelin contracts.
Annual cost: Cadres: paid by employer. Self-employed: €500–2,000/year
Check the "franchise" (waiting period before pay-outs), typically 30–90 days. Coordinate with any private BU you might hold.
Assurance voyage
Emergency medical + repatriation when traveling abroad, particularly outside the EU.
Who needs it: Anyone travelling to the US, UK post-Brexit, Asia, or without full EHIC cover.
Annual cost: €40–150/year annual policy; €2–6/day single trip
Many premium carte bancaires (Gold/Platinum/Visa Premier) include travel insurance + rapatriement if the trip was paid with that card. Check the plafond before buying separate cover.
Assurance santé animaux
Reimburses vet fees (consultations, surgeries, medicines) up to an annual cap.
Who needs it: Owners of dogs and cats, especially breeds prone to health issues or active working animals.
Annual cost: €180–600/year depending on breed, age, and formula
Comparison sites
Avoid being sold by commissioned banker-advisors — they recommend products that pay them, not you. Prefer comparateurs online or a courtier (broker) with clear fee disclosure.
Always request a devis (quote) in writing and compare at least three insurers before signing.
Read the conditions générales (CG): look for exclusions, franchises, plafonds, délais de carence.
Loi Hamon: after the first year, cancel any MRH or auto insurance at any time with 1 month notice — no need for a reason.
Loi Chatel: your insurer must remind you of renewal right 15 days before deadline; failure allows you to cancel any time after.
Update your MRH when you move; failure to declare changes (sq m, contents, new risks) can void your cover.
Insurance
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