Getting the Right Insurance Protection in France
Originally posted on & updated on 11th October, 2025
When you make the move to France, one of the first things you’re likely to need to get sorted out is insurance. When you sign with the Notaire to take ownership of your French property, you must have your house insurance and contents lined up. Not only is it a legal requirement to have insurance in France, but it’s essential that you’re covered right from the start when moving abroad.
While many of the big names in insurance that you’re familiar with in the UK operate in France, post-Brexit, many are no longer providing these services in Europe, including for caravans registered and stored in France. In addition, some of the details of the policies are different, so it’s worth being aware of what you need and what cover you’re actually signing up for, particularly if your French isn’t all that great at first.
In this article, we’ll outline the main insurances that you’re likely to need right from Day 1 for your new life in France, as well as how to choose the right provider. The insurances that you’ll need include: home and contents, health, school, pet insurance and if you’re starting up a business, professional insurance. Here’s an overview of each insurance option:
Home & Contents Insurance
In order to achieve the right level of home and contents insurance, you need to tell your insurer where your house is situated and the number of rooms and outbuildings it has. You’ll need to specify if the property is a château or a large estate. You also need to confirm if your house is made of wood or is of historic significance, as this will affect its value/risk for insurance purposes. Each company offers a standard level of cover, an amount allowed for single high-value items, and options for adding extras.
Standard insurance allows for fire, storm, hail and snow damage as well as water damage. Broken windows, theft and vandalism are also normally covered, as is natural catastrophe, public liability, legal defence and home assistance. Options include things like new for old and electrical damage. You can reduce the excess on your policy by paying more to achieve a lower amount.
Health and Medical Insurance
When you start your new life in France, it’s advisable to take out an insurance policy to pay for the part of your medical expenses that isn’t paid by the state. We’ve already written an article about this subject, it’s called choosing your health plan with a French mutuelle and a complémentaire santé.
Car and Motorhome Insurance
If you’re driving your own car in France, then it’s your responsibility to make sure it’s appropriately insured. Car insurance in France is very similar to motor insurance in the UK, and the cost is based on your age, your occupation and the make, model and value of your car, as well as the number of kilometres you’re likely to drive each year. In your car insurance, you can allow for third-party cover only or fully comprehensive cover, with defence and appeal costs included. Things like assistance, glass breakage and acts of God can also be included in the cover, as well as theft, fire and arson.
School Insurance for Kids
School insurance seems like a strange idea when you first come to France, but in many ways it makes good sense. Every child who goes to school in France is required to have insurance. That insurance covers the child in the event of an accident and also covers other children whom the child might inadvertently injure. School insurance normally comes with two basic options. The first is for school-based activities only, and the other includes extracurricular activities that the child may take part in. School insurance costs only a few euros per year and can often be added as part of your household insurance policy.
Professional Insurance in France
Depending on the sort of business you’re planning to start, you may or may not need professional insurance coverage. This type of insurance in France is more complex than in the UK and is normally dealt with by a specialist advisor within the insurance company. Business insurance in France can be very expensive, so the message here is to know exactly what you must have in terms of insurance; know what you’d like to have and be prepared to compromise. It’s also a good idea to shop around carefully.
Other insurance options might include life insurance, particularly if you are borrowing; car fleet insurance, pet insurance; insurance for your mobile home or caravan, as well as boat insurance.
Finding the Right Package
When choosing the right insurance provider, it’s a good idea to seek out and follow up on recommendations. A warm lead into a quality insurance provider is normally a better start than walking in cold to an insurance office on the high street. Depending on your level of French, it may be that choosing a face-to-face English-speaking agent is of paramount importance to you.
Either way, it’s important to choose someone that you get along with and have confidence in while trying to avoid brokers who may be incurring additional fees. We have a long-standing professional relationship with a bilingual team with over 30 years of experience working with English-speaking expats and homeowners from all over the globe. They provide expert advice, a friendly service and can cater to your specific needs.
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