Holiday home insurance in France
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Holiday home insurance in France is a specialised type of home insurance designed for properties that are enjoyed for part of the year rather than occupied permanently. A second home is often left unoccupied for extended periods, may be owned by someone living abroad, and faces specific risks such as an undetected water leak, burglary during the winter months or storm damage when nobody is there to respond. Holiday home insurance is designed to protect against exactly these situations.
Best French Insurance, the bilingual Generali agency based in Cognac, arranges holiday home insurance for English-speaking owners of second homes throughout France, including those who spend most of the year overseas. Our bilingual advisors explain the French insurance system in clear English and tailor your cover to how, and how often, your holiday home is actually used.
Why a holiday home needs different cover
The defining feature of a holiday home is that it remains unoccupied for long periods. During those weeks or months, there may be nobody to detect a leaking pipe, prevent a burglary or deal with storm damage before it becomes more serious. Many owners assume the insurance covering their main residence, whether in France or abroad, also protects their second property. In most cases, it does not. Standard home insurance is designed for properties that are occupied regularly, whereas holiday home insurance is specifically designed for homes that stand empty for extended periods.
What holiday home insurance covers
Building and contents, whether occupied or unoccupied
Holiday home insurance protects both the building and its contents, even during long periods when the property is unoccupied, provided the policy conditions are met. This ensures your cover continues while you are away rather than ending as soon as you leave.
Water damage from undetected leaks
One of the most frequent and expensive claims involving second homes is water damage. A burst pipe or slow leak can continue unnoticed for weeks in an empty property, causing extensive damage before anyone discovers it. Comprehensive holiday home insurance provides protection against these risks, subject to the policy conditions.
Theft and security requirements
Holiday homes are more vulnerable to burglary because they are often unoccupied. Insurance generally covers theft and damage following a break-in, provided the property’s security requirements, such as approved locks, shutters or alarm systems, have been met.
Civil liability
This protects you if your property causes damage or injury to neighbours or visitors, for example through water damage spreading to a neighbouring property. For apartments within a copropriété, civil liability forms an essential part of holiday home insurance.
Storm and natural catastrophe cover
Your policy protects against storm damage and officially recognised natural catastrophes, such as flooding or ground movement. These events can be especially costly when the owner is living abroad or unable to reach the property quickly.
Occasional holiday letting
If you rent your holiday home occasionally, whether through a holiday rental platform or directly to friends and family, this should be declared to your insurer. Holiday home insurance can be extended to include occasional rentals, ensuring guest-related claims remain covered.
Keyholder and emergency assistance
Because holiday homes often remain empty for long periods, it is advisable to appoint a trusted keyholder, such as a neighbour, friend or property manager, who can respond quickly if needed. Many policies also include emergency assistance to arrange urgent repairs when you are unable to travel to the property yourself.
Frost damage and winter precautions
Homes left empty during winter face an increased risk of frozen pipes and extensive water damage. Protection against frost damage is usually included in holiday home insurance, provided sensible precautions are taken, such as draining the plumbing system or maintaining a minimum indoor temperature while the property is vacant.
Is holiday home insurance compulsory in France?
If your second home is an apartment within a copropriété, French law requires you to hold at least civil liability insurance under the ALUR law, which has applied to all co-owners since 2015, regardless of whether the property is occupied permanently or only occasionally. For a detached holiday home, insurance is not legally compulsory, but leaving a property unoccupied for long periods without holiday home insurance exposes you to significant financial risks. If you rent the property to holidaymakers, additional insurance requirements may also apply, and we will be happy to advise you.
Holiday home insurance for owners living abroad: specific situations
Owners based overseas
Managing insurance for a French property while living in another country can be challenging, particularly when dealing with unfamiliar regulations and language barriers. We arrange and manage your holiday home insurance entirely in English, making it easy to protect your property wherever you live.
Homes left empty over winter
Holiday homes often remain unoccupied throughout the winter, increasing the risk of frozen pipes, water damage, burglary and storm-related incidents. Your insurance should be specifically designed for these extended vacant periods and include the precautions required by your insurer.
Letting through a holiday rental platform
If you occasionally rent your property through platforms such as Airbnb or other holiday rental websites, this changes your insurance risk profile. Declaring these rentals allows us to adapt your holiday home insurance so that guest-related claims remain fully covered.
A car kept at the property
If you keep a vehicle at your French holiday home for use during your visits, its vehicle insurance should reflect occasional use and long periods of inactivity to ensure appropriate protection.
Valuables left in an empty house
Many second homes contain valuable furniture, artwork, electronics or personal possessions that remain unattended for months at a time. Theft cover for unoccupied properties often includes stricter security requirements and compensation limits, making it important to declare valuable items correctly.
Handling a claim from abroad
When your property is in France and you are overseas, managing an insurance claim can be difficult. We assist with the entire claims process in English, liaising with insurers, loss adjusters and repair professionals on your behalf so issues can be resolved quickly without waiting for your next visit.
Lending your home to family and friends
Many owners allow family members or friends to use their holiday home free of charge. Although this is different from commercial holiday letting, it still affects who occupies the property. We ensure your holiday home insurance clearly reflects this situation so guests and their belongings are protected appropriately.
Why arrange your holiday home insurance through Best French Insurance?
Best French Insurance is a genuine Generali agency located at 16 rue Plumejeau in Cognac, not a comparison website. Every client works directly with a bilingual advisor who understands both the French insurance system and the specific concerns of owners whose properties remain unoccupied for much of the year.
When arranging holiday home insurance, we consider how often you visit the property, how long it remains empty, what security measures are in place and whether it is ever rented to guests. We then tailor your policy accordingly. If you also own a main residence in France, we can coordinate your cover with your home insurance so both properties benefit from consistent protection.
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Get a free, no-obligation quote Quotes are free and without obligation. Our Cognac office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. Call us on 05 45 82 03 20 or email cognac@agence.generali.fr. |
Frequently asked questions: holiday home insurance in France
Is holiday home insurance compulsory in France?
If your holiday home is an apartment within a copropriété, French law requires you to hold at least civil liability insurance under the ALUR law, whether you occupy the property regularly or not. For a detached second home, holiday home insurance is not legally compulsory, but leaving an unoccupied property uninsured exposes you to significant financial risks.
Won’t my main home policy cover my second home?
In most cases, no. Standard home insurance is designed for your primary residence and usually assumes the property is occupied on a regular basis. A second home left empty for extended periods requires dedicated holiday home insurance to ensure claims remain valid.
What happens if the house is empty for months?
Your holiday home insurance can continue to provide protection while the property is unoccupied, provided you comply with the policy conditions. These may include maintaining the property, protecting it against frost and ensuring appropriate security measures are in place.
Can I insure a home I rent out occasionally?
Yes. Occasional holiday rentals should always be declared because they change the level of risk. We can adapt your holiday home insurance to include guest occupancy, helping ensure any claims arising during a rental period remain covered.
I live abroad. Can you still arrange the cover?
Absolutely. We regularly arrange holiday home insurance for homeowners living overseas. Our bilingual advisors manage the entire process in English, making it simple to insure your French property wherever you are based.
How do I get a quote?
Contact us by phone on 05 45 82 03 20, by email at cognac@agence.generali.fr, or request a quote through our website. You are also welcome to visit our office at 16 rue Plumejeau, 16100 Cognac, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 12pm. All quotations and advice are completely free and without obligation.
What we offer
We provide tailored insurance solutions for individuals, families, and professionals:
Why choose us ?
Over 20 years of experience with expats and international clients
Bilingual team we explain everything in plain English (We are French. We speak English. And no, we won’t make you fill out a 12-page form in triplicate)
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Quick turnaround get covered in as little as 24h
Based in Cognac, working with clients across all of France
We are not a comparison site we are an actual agency that helps you get what’s best for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be fluent in French to get insured?
No. We speak English and take care of the paperwork for you.
Can I get insured quickly?
Yes — in most cases, we can provide coverage within 24 to 48 hours.
Is this more expensive than going directly to an insurer?
Not at all. Our prices are transparent, and you benefit from personalised advice at no extra cost.
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Contact Information
Address
16 rue Plumejeau – 16100 COGNAC
Business Hours
Mon-Fri: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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