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French house buildings and contents insurance.

It's hard enough dealing with insurance quotes in English, but when you have to go through it all in French, it can become taxing. So, wouldn't it be a lot easier to insure your house in France, through English-speaking French insurance agents/ brokers? We think so, and have teamed up with some excellent French insurance companies and their agents to bring you just that.

Assurances in or near Aquitaine	Life insurance. Private banking. Emmanuel MAINGUY Tel : 0033 664 023 149

Insurance in France is not expensive, so you should be in for a pleasant surprise when you get your quote. Also, the French seem to have many extra insurances not seen in the UK very often - you'll normally get free legal protection insurance as part of your home insurance policy. Also, your car insurance policy will probably include some protection juridique (or legal protection cover) as well as responsibilité civile (public liability cover).

When you agree to buy your French house, the notaire will remind you that it is your responsibility to insure the property from the date of the compromis de vente (the equivalent of our 'exchange of contracts'). The notaire will need what is called an attestation (which is basically a letter from the local insurance agent to say that his company will hold the premises covered, and that the property is assurable). Normally, your local agent will supply this directly to the notaire but you need to check.

Most French buildings and contents insurance is done through a local agent who has knowledge of the area, property and client. In most cases, the agent will look after nearly all your insurance needs, including motor insurance, assurance scolaire (a legal requirement in France for children attending school), your buildings/ structural insurance and home contents insurance.

Assurance scolaire is a legal requirement for children/ students attending school or college. It is by no means expensive - indeed, it is hideously cheap! - and offers other (extra-mural) benefits for when the little darlings are away on ski trips, summer camp etc. Ask your agent about this type of French insurance.

Buildings and contents insurance. As mentioned above, your notaire requires sight of an attestation before the sale is completed. Let your local agent know this and he will normally offer to copy in the notaire when he sends you the schedule and policy details. You can pay by prélèvement (or standing order) from your bank. It is quite common in France for the entire buildings insurance (i.e. contents as well as structure) to be combined in one policy. Rates are competitive and after-sales services can be excellent, with the agent effectively taking over the claim on your behalf.

Remember that France, to a greater extent than the UK, can suffer from extremes of weather and it is not uncommon for hailstones (sometimes the size of golfballs!) to pierce and shatter canal tiles on the roof. High squally winds are often experienced in south-west France (in the Toulouse area) during the vent d'autan (a particularly strong wind that rushes up from the Mediterranean and veers west over Toulouse and out to sea south of Bordeaux).

Sometimes, French insurance companies might require you to upgrade the security of your property, although this does tend to vary between départements. We have heard of cases where the insurers have asked the owners to fit new shutters to ground floor windows to tighten security. When viewing the house your want to buy, it is a good idea to cast your eye over the property and assess what might need to be done for insurance purposes. However, it has to be said that crime in France (particularly in the rural areas) is still uncommon - probably explaining the low premiums!

If you are intending to leave your house unattended (to return to the UK perhaps) for any length of time, you should let your agent know. Treat your agent assurances as your ally, as he will often know how to save you money. He is looking for repeat business and will want to look after you well.

You do not have to buy a house through ORPI to avail of our insurance services.

Assurances in or near Aquitaine	Life insurance. Private banking. Emmanuel MAINGUY Tel : 0033 664 023 149

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