Landlord insurance in France

If you rent out an apartment within a French copropriété, you are legally required to hold at least civil liability insurance as a non-occupying owner under the ALUR law, which has applied since 2015. The building’s management company may request proof of this insurance at any time. For a detached rental property, landlord insurance is not legally compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. Your tenant’s insurance does not protect your building, your liability as the owner or your rental income, leaving you exposed to significant financial risks.

Landlord insurance for English-speaking owners: specific situations

Furnished and unfurnished rentals

Furnished rentals include the furniture and appliances you provide, increasing the value of the insured contents. Unfurnished properties place more responsibility on the tenant for insuring their belongings. Your landlord insurance should reflect the type of rental and everything you provide within the property.

Holiday lets and gîtes

Holiday homes, gîtes and seasonal rentals involve a much higher turnover of occupants than long-term tenancies. These properties face different risks and require landlord insurance specifically designed for short-term letting.

Letting through an agency or directly

Whether you manage the property yourself or appoint a letting agent affects how claims, repairs and disputes are handled. Your insurance, particularly legal protection, should reflect the way your rental property is actually managed.

Owning through an SCI

If your rental property is owned through a French property company (SCI), the company itself becomes the policyholder rather than you personally. We arrange landlord insurance correctly to reflect your legal ownership structure.

Landlords living overseas

Many English-speaking owners rent out French property while living abroad. Managing tenants, claims or repairs from another country can be difficult, especially in another language. We arrange your landlord insurance entirely in English and act as your local point of contact, liaising directly with tenants, tradespeople and the syndic whenever necessary.

Buying a property with tenants already in place

When you purchase a property that already has tenants, you inherit the tenancy but not the seller’s insurance policy. Your own landlord insurance should be effective from the completion date to ensure there is no gap in protection during the transfer of ownership.

Understanding rent guarantee conditions

Rent guarantee insurance offers valuable protection against unpaid rent, but it is subject to eligibility requirements. These usually include verifying the tenant’s income, obtaining the required supporting documents and following the insurer’s procedures if payments are missed. We explain these conditions clearly so your guarantee remains fully effective if you ever need to make a claim.

Why arrange your landlord insurance through Best French Insurance?

Best French Insurance is a genuine Generali agency based at 16 rue Plumejeau in Cognac, not a comparison website. Every client works directly with a bilingual advisor who understands both French landlord insurance regulations and the practical challenges faced by English-speaking property owners, particularly those living overseas.

When arranging your landlord insurance, we consider how your property is rented, whether it is furnished or unfurnished, let on a long-term or seasonal basis, managed directly or through an agency, and whether it is owned personally or through an SCI. We can also coordinate your policy with your home insurance and your business insurance, where property letting forms part of a wider investment or business activity.