Home Insurance in France: Guide for International Students

Introduction

Why is home insurance essential during your stay in France? Not only is it legally required, but it also protects your home (and your wallet) in case of incidents.

Here’s everything you need to know, along with our top recommendations for international students.

Let’s dive in! 😊

Home Insurance: Why Do You Need It, and How Much Does It Cost?

Why do I need it?

Getting home insurance isn’t just an administrative step; it’s vital for a secure life in France. Here’s why you should get it as soon as you find your housing:

• Legal protection: French law requires tenants to have home insurance to cover potential property damage. Without it, you might have to pay out of pocket for any issues.
• Peace of mind: It covers incidents like fires, water damage, theft, or vandalism. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but if something happens, your insurance will handle most of the costs.
• Essential for renting: Landlords require proof of insurance before signing a lease. Without it, you won’t be able to finalize your rental agreement.
• Building trust with your landlord: Showing that you’re insured reassures your landlord and helps avoid conflicts in case of damages.

What does it cover?

Home insurance comes with various levels of coverage. Here’s a breakdown:

• Liability insurance: Mandatory and covers damages you may cause to others. For instance, if a leak from your apartment damages your downstairs neighbor’s ceiling, your insurance handles the repair costs.
• Comprehensive home insurance: Offers extended coverage, including:
  
  • Protection for your belongings: Furniture, clothing, electronics, and personal items.
  • Common incidents: Fires, water damage, theft, severe weather (hail, storms), natural or technological disasters.
  • Assistance services: Temporary housing or expense coverage if a major incident renders your home uninhabitable.

💡 Tip: Providers let you add specific options such as coverage for valuables or legal protection. Tailor your plan to meet all your needs.

How much does it cost?

Prices depend on the type of coverage and your housing situation:

• Liability insurance only: Starts at around €4/month.
• Comprehensive home insurance: For full protection, expect to pay €10–€20/month.

What influences the price?

• The size and location of your home.
• The value of the items you’re insuring.
• Optional extras like theft coverage or expanded guarantees.

The Best Home Insurance Options for International Students

As a student, finding home insurance that’s simple, affordable, and suitable for international students isn’t always easy.

We’ve done the sorting for you and selected three 100% digital options. They all share a common base of essential coverage—the basics you’ll find in any home insurance policy in France:

• common claims (water damage, fire, weather-related damage)
• civil liability (mandatory to rent a place)
  

What really changes from one option to another is the experience, the price, and how the insurance adapts to your situation.

Lemonade: Modern and affordable

💰 From €4/month

👉 What makes it stand out: a smooth, 100% mobile experience.

• Fast sign-up
• Policy and claims managed directly in the app
• Easily adjustable coverage
  

➡️ Perfect if you want insurance that’s easy to manage day to day, straight from your phone.

StudyAssur: Designed for students

💰 From €20.70 per academic year

👉 What makes it stand out: insurance built specifically for students, with a very affordable yearly price.

• Suitable for student housing (CROUS, student residences, shared flats)
• Simple annual payment
• Useful add-ons for studies (personal, school, and internship civil liability)
  

➡️ Ideal if you want clear, low-cost insurance that’s accepted everywhere.

Lovys: Flexible and practical for shared flats

💰 From €3.99 / month

👉 What makes it stand out: insurance for those who want flexibility in everyday life.

• Monthly payments, easier on your budget
• Coverage tailored to your situation
• One single policy for all flatmates
  

➡️ A good option if you prefer easy-to-manage insurance, no annual payment, and something that adapts smoothly to your lifestyle.

How to Choose the Right One?

Ask yourself two simple questions:

1. What do you really need?

If you don’t have specific requirements, a basic policy is usually more than enough. No need to pay for options you won’t use.

2. What’s your budget right now?

If you want to spend as little as possible, go for the most affordable and flexible option. The key is to be covered quickly, without stress.

👉 Also, take time to check reviews and talk to other international students already in France—their feedback is often more helpful than a product page.

And if you’ve already tried one of these three options, feel free to share your experience—it really helps us improve our recommendations for future students 😉

How to Manage Your Home Insurance Contract

Managing your home insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s everything you need to know to set up, handle claims, or cancel your contract seamlessly 😉

Setting up your contract

• Choose your provider: Compare plans to find one that fits your needs (e.g., shared apartments, optional extras).
• Sign up online or contact an agent: Most insurers offer quick online signup. Prefer human interaction? Reach out to an advisor.
• Prepare your documents:
  
  • ID (passport or national ID).
  • Lease agreement or landlord certification.
  • Bank details for automatic payments.
• Receive your certificate: Once approved, download your insurance certificate online and provide it to your landlord.

Filing a claim

• Report the incident quickly:
  
  • Standard claims (e.g., water damage): Report within five business days.
  • Theft or vandalism: Report within two business days.
• Gather required evidence:
  
  • Photos or videos of the damage.
  • Police report (for theft/vandalism).
  • Receipts for damaged or stolen items.
• Follow your insurer’s instructions:
  
  • They may request an assessment before approving your claim.
  • Once validated, reimbursement or cost coverage will follow.

💡 Tip: Always take photos of your place during the check-in inspection. They can be super helpful if there’s ever a dispute or you need to make a claim.

Cancelling or switching providers

Switching home insurance is easy, especially after the first year of your contract thanks to the Hamon Law. Here’s how to do it:

• When to cancel:
  
  • After the first year: Cancel anytime with 30 days’ notice.
  • Before the first year: Cancellation is only possible for valid reasons (like moving out or leaving the country), unless you’re with a provider like Lovys— their contracts are commitment-free.
• How to cancel:
  
  • Send a cancellation request by registered mail or through the insurer’s online portal.
  • Provide 30 days’ notice.

Switching providers? New insurers can often handle the cancellation process for you.

Useful Info

• Some European insurance plans can be transferred to France — just make sure to check the conditions.
• Certain contracts include coverage abroad or for temporary housing.
• If you ever need to make a complaint, you can contact the Insurance Mediation Service.

Conclusion

Digital solutions have revolutionized home insurance, making it more accessible, especially for international students. With affordable options starting from just €4/month and 100% online services, finding the right insurance has never been easier.

Still looking for a place to live? Fingers crossed you’ll find your dream home soon! 🤞