Is it difficult to switch home insurance companies in France?
Long-term contracts are more easily cancelled, particularly for renters
Insurance companies are legally obliged to make it easy for their customers to cancel their contracts online if contracts can be taken out online
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Reader Question: Our home insurance is set to jump 27% in 2025, which we think is far too much. We are curious about changing providers but have heard this is a lengthy process, is it true?
Changing your home insurance contract may not be as difficult as you expect in France, and there are a number of ways to do so.
You may be able to cancel a standard home insurance contract (multirisques habitation) at any time online using the ‘three clicks’ rule brought in last year.
Insurance companies must provide all policy holders the ability to easily cancel their contract online as long as the firm also offers the right to take out such policies online (which is common).
This rule also relates to firms providing monthly service contracts such as internet, telephone, etc.
If this applies, the online space where you can cancel policies should be easy to find on your insurer’s website, and instructions on how to cancel the policy should be clearly stated.
This procedure can be done at any time (you do not need to wait until the time of your contract renewal) provided you have had the contract for at least one year (under rules introduced in the 2015 loi Hamon).
Read more: Cancelling insurance in France online is now quicker
Alternatively, if you originally took out the policy ‘at a distance’ eg. via email or telephone, you can also end the policy in a similar way (eg. by telephoning the firm’s customer services team).
Finally, the more traditional method is via a registered post letter (Lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception).
If you send a letter, the policy is cancelled one month after it is received by the insurance company (you are still covered up to this point) and you will receive a refund for months paid for in advance if you cancel the contract before it ends.
Again, this is only possible if you have held the contract for more than one year.
If you are a renter, you must simply subscribe to a new insurance policy and the new insurer will take over the responsibility for cancelling your old contract – as stated in the loi Hamon. However, for homeowners this is not possible.
Think twice before making switch
Before committing to the change, read your contract to see if there are any changes you can make.
There may be points of cover inside that you do not need and it may be possible to ask your provider to remove these, which may lower costs.
Read more: How can I reduce the cost of home insurance in France?
Read more: Water leaks, blocked pipes: what does home insurance cover in France?
You should also look at price comparison websites and online simulations of other insurers to get an idea whether other firms’ policies are indeed likely to cost less.
Home insurance costs are set to rise significantly in France in 2025, as a surcharge towards a natural disaster fund is set to apply, along with increased payout for natural disaster damage.
Prices already rose by 7.2% in the first nine months of 2024, so it is not guaranteed that a better deal will be available, depending on where your property is.
Read more: Why home insurance costs are expected to rise in France next year
If you have persistent issues with your insurer, you have the right to apply for mediation to the French ombudsman.
Read more: Is there an ombudsman for insurance claims in France?
