Multirisk Home Policy in France

A multirisk home policy, known in French as assurance multirisque habitation (or MRH), is the standard form of comprehensive home insurance in France. It combines building cover, contents protection, and third-party liability into a single contract, and it is what the vast majority of homeowners, tenants, and landlords in France hold. For English-speaking residents and property owners, understanding exactly what a multirisk home policy covers, what it excludes, and how to make sure yours is correctly structured is the difference between genuine protection and a policy that fails you at the point of claim.

Best French Insurance, the bilingual Generali agency based in Cognac, specialises in arranging and explaining multirisk home policies for English-speaking clients across France. Whether you have just purchased a property, are renting for the first time, or are reviewing cover you took out years ago, our advisors provide clear, independent guidance in plain English, with no pressure and no paperwork confusion.

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What is a multirisk home policy in France?

A multirisk home policy is a bundled insurance contract that covers multiple categories of risk under a single annual premium. Rather than purchasing separate policies for fire damage, theft, water damage, and liability, a multirisk policy consolidates these into one agreement with a single insurer and a single renewal date.

In France, this type of policy is formally called assurance multirisque habitation (MRH). It is by far the most common form of home insurance in the country, held by approximately 90% of homeowners. While a basic civil liability policy (responsabilité civile) is the minimum legal requirement for tenants and co-owners, a multirisk policy goes substantially further, covering damage to the property itself, its contents, and the owner's or tenant's liability to third parties.

For foreign buyers and expats, a multirisk home policy arranged through a bilingual insurer means that every element of your cover, including the guarantees included, the exclusions, and the claims process, is explained in a language you actually understand.

What a multirisk home policy covers

Fire and related damage

Water damage

Theft and vandalism

Storm, hail, and snow damage

Natural disasters

Glass breakage

Electrical damage

Third-party liability

Who needs a multirisk home policy in France?

Tenants

Homeowners

Co-owners

Landlords

Expats and non-resident owners

How much does a multirisk home policy cost in France?

Factors that influence the price of your multirisk home policy

Property type and surface area: apartments are generally less expensive to insure than detached houses, and the premium rises with surface area and number of rooms.
Location: properties in areas exposed to recurring natural disasters (flooding, drought-related subsidence, storms) typically carry higher premiums. Urban properties with higher theft statistics can also be priced upward.
Property age and construction: older stone properties common in rural France often cost more to insure due to higher reconstruction values and exposure to water damage.
Contents value: the declared value of your furniture, appliances, and personal belongings directly increases the contents portion of the premium. High-value items (jewellery, art, collections) typically require a specific valuation and a declared valuables endorsement.
Occupancy: primary residences are cheaper to insure than second homes or holiday lets. A multirisk home policy for a property left vacant for extended periods is generally subject to specific conditions and a higher premium.
Security features: alarms, reinforced doors, and certified locks can reduce the premium or the deductible applied in the event of a claim.
Claims history: a clean claims record over the previous three years lowers your premium, while a history of multiple claims pushes it upward.
Excess chosen: opting for a higher excess reduces your annual premium but increases your out-of-pocket cost in the event of a claim.

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What a multirisk home policy does not cover

Wear and tear and gradual deterioration: a multirisk home policy covers sudden, identifiable events. Ongoing damp, gradual subsidence, or maintenance-related deterioration are excluded.
Damage caused by deliberate acts of the insured.
Vehicles: cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles are not covered under a home policy regardless of where they are parked.
Professional equipment and business assets used for commercial activity: these require separate professional insurance.
Landslides and land slips unless the event has been officially declared a natural disaster by the relevant prefecture.
Structural issues such as a leaning wall or cracked foundation unless caused by a covered insured event.
High-value items such as jewellery, art, or collections above standard policy limits: these typically require a specific valuation and a declared valuables endorsement.

How to make a claim under a French multirisk home policy

Contact Us Frequently asked questions: multirisk home policy France Is a multirisk home policy compulsory in France?A full multirisk policy is not legally compulsory for outright homeowners, but civil liability cover is mandatory for all tenants and co-owners. In practice, mortgage lenders require a multirisk policy as a loan condition, and any property owner leaving a significant asset uninsured against fire, water damage, or natural disaster takes on substantial financial risk.What is the difference between a multirisk policy and basic civil liability insurance?Civil liability insurance (responsabilité civile) covers only your legal liability to third parties for damage your property causes. A multirisk home policy includes civil liability but goes significantly further, covering damage to the property itself, its contents, and a range of specific events including fire, water damage, storm, theft, and natural disasters.Can I take out a multirisk home policy in English?Yes. Best French Insurance arranges Generali multirisk home policies for English-speaking clients, and all policy documentation, advice, and claims support is provided in English. You do not need to navigate French-language insurance paperwork to hold a fully compliant French policy.Does a multirisk home policy cover my property if it is let to tenants?Standard multirisk policies are structured for owner-occupied or unoccupied properties. If you let your property, including through short-term platforms such as Airbnb or Gîtes de France, you must inform your insurer. Rental activity that is not declared can void cover in the event of a claim. Our advisors will structure your policy to explicitly cover your rental use.How quickly can I get a quote?Contact us by phone on 05 45 82 03 20, by email at cognac@agence.generali.fr, or via the quote form on our website. In-person appointments are available at 16 rue Plumejeau, 16100 Cognac, Monday to Friday 9am–6pm and Saturday 9am–12pm. All advice is free and there is no obligation to proceed. Get your free advice or quotation

FAQ

Frequently asked questions: multirisk home policy France

Is a multirisk home policy compulsory in France? +

A full multirisk policy is not legally compulsory for outright homeowners, but civil liability cover is mandatory for all tenants and co-owners. In practice, mortgage lenders require a multirisk policy as a loan condition, and any property owner leaving a significant asset uninsured against fire, water damage, or natural disaster takes on substantial financial risk.

What is the difference between a multirisk policy and basic civil liability insurance? +

Civil liability insurance (responsabilité civile) covers only your legal liability to third parties for damage your property causes. A multirisk home policy includes civil liability but goes significantly further, covering damage to the property itself, its contents, and a range of specific events including fire, water damage, storm, theft, and natural disasters.

Can I take out a multirisk home policy in English? +

Yes. Best French Insurance arranges Generali multirisk home policies for English-speaking clients, and all policy documentation, advice, and claims support is provided in English. You do not need to navigate French-language insurance paperwork to hold a fully compliant French policy.

Does a multirisk home policy cover my property if it is let to tenants? +

Standard multirisk policies are structured for owner-occupied or unoccupied properties. If you let your property, including through short-term platforms such as Airbnb or Gîtes de France, you must inform your insurer. Rental activity that is not declared can void cover in the event of a claim. Our advisors will structure your policy to explicitly cover your rental use.

How quickly can I get a quote? +

Contact us by phone on 05 45 82 03 20, by email at cognac@agence.generali.fr, or via the quote form on our website. In-person appointments are available at 16 rue Plumejeau, 16100 Cognac, Monday to Friday 9am–6pm and Saturday 9am–12pm. All advice is free and there is no obligation to proceed.

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