Holiday Home Insurance in France
Understanding French property insurance terms can be a complex task even when the policy in English. Unfamiliar laws, language barriers and obscure exclusions can further complicate the process. So why do so many owners of holiday homes in France choose French house insurance from a local insurer before understanding the restrictions in cover?
Insurance rules are not universal. The insurance terms we are familiar with in the UK are not the same in France. Although cheaper, cover provided by foreign policies tends to include an array of terms in the small print which can leave you uninsured.
Check the small print - not all policies provide the same protection
Here are some areas where other French property insurance policies provide inadequate cover...
- Escape of water damage (burst pipes) claims are usually excluded when holiday homes are unoccupied
- Theft cover is excluded unless the insurers strict security requirements are in use
- Home insurance sourced in France often doesn't protect holiday home owners when holiday letting. Accidental damage and public liability insurance is excluded.
- There are tight deadlines to submit storm and flood insurance claims in France.
- Completing claims forms in French can be complicated if your knowledge of the native language is limited.
- Cancelling French insurance is notoriously complex compared to the process in the UK
Holiday home insurance in France - simple to understand cover in English
With a UK policy from Schofields you don't have to worry about unfamiliar laws, language barriers and obscure exclusions that feature in French sourced policies. Our French property insurance is designed specifically for UK based holiday home owners. Primarily, there are no unoccupancy restrictions and the policy provides specialist cover for holiday letting. In the event of a claim, experts are on hand to assist.
Please note that an insurance policy provides cover for a list of specified perils, the policy does not provide unlimited cover for every eventuality or maintenance related issues.
Why choose us?
Holiday Home Insurance summary of cover
The French property insurance policy from Schofields includes the following benefits when you choose buildings or contents insurance.
- Your French holiday home is comprehensively protected as there are no unoccupancy restrictions.
Certain restrictions do apply when the property is not furnished for normal habitation. We cannot insure properties that are left permanently unoccupied (e.g. awaiting sale or being renovated). - No security or inspection requirements. The policy does not require frequent inspections or insist on specific security e.g. shutters.
- Full theft Insurance. Including theft by tenants and by non-forced entry.
- Public liability insurance. An indemnity limit of £5m is automatically included which indemnifies both the property owner and the tenant when legally liable. With today's ever increasing recourse to sue, this essential cover will protect you against legal costs and expenses for injury to third parties (e.g. slip, trip and fall claims) or damage to property - even when holiday letting.
- Employers liability Insurance. £1m is automatically included. This protects you against legal action from injured domestic employees, such as change over staff.
- Accidental damage to contents. For an additional premium, the cover can be extended to include claims arising from accidental damage to contents, such as stains or damage to furniture. This also covers accidental damage caused by holidaymakers.
- Cover for loss of pre-booked rental income. You are automatically covered for twice the contents sum insured if contents insurance is included.
- Alternative accommodation costs. For you, your family or rental clients following loss or damage to the property.
- Travel and accommodation costs incurred to minimise a claim.
- Insurance cover for swimming pools. The policy includes insurance for swimming pools under the buildings section and public liability for the use of the pool.
- Written in plain English. Policy wording is clear and unambiguous, so you know exactly what is covered.
- Excess. A standard £50 excess increased to £250 for water damage and weight of snow claims & £300 for earthquake damage. Note: check other insurers earthquake excess, traditionally they are a percentage of the sum insured - totalling thousands.
- Schofields have specialised in holiday home insurance in France since 1984 and claims are dealt with by qualified insurance experts.
- Arranged with certain Underwriters at Lloyd's of London, one of the worlds leading insurers - exclusively for Schofields.
Our French home insurance covers loss and damage caused by:
- Fire and explosion
- Theft or attempted theft, including theft by tenants
- Storm or tempest (excluding damage to gates or fences)
- Flood
- Lightning, thunderbolt or earthquake
- Escape of water or oil leakage from fixed water tanks, apparatus or pipes
- Civil disturbance or vandalism
- Impact by aircraft, vehicles or animals
Buildings insurance for your home in France covers
What are buildings? fixtures and fittings within the buildings, domestic outbuildings, garages, domestic fixed fuel oil, tanks, swimming pools, tennis courts, drives, patios and terraces, walls, gates and fences.
- Damage caused by falling aerials and satellite dishes
- Breakage of fixed glass and breakage of sanitary fixtures and ceramic hobs
- Accidental damage by external means to underground services
Contents insurance for your home in France covers
Covered on a 'new for old' basis
- Property in the open
- Accidental damage to televisions including video recorders
- Breakage of ceramic hobs, mirrors and fixed glass in furniture
- Fatal injury caused by fire or burglars
- Replacement of locks following theft or loss of keys
Important Documents
This is a summary of cover, view or print the full terms and conditions:
French holiday home insurance policy wording
Useful Insurance Information
Confused? read our guide to house insurance in France
Compare our overseas home insurance
Ask Our Expert
Buying insurance based on price alone is risky if it doesn't provide the cover you need. If you have any holiday home insurance queries we are here to help...
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