Insurance cover for home furniture
Does French insurance cover furniture replacement?
I HAVE been told no insurers in France cover for replacement value of furniture on household cover and also that the policies do not cover me for accidents to casual workers, such as a cleaner or gardener. Is this true? F.C.
INSURANCE broker Philippe Schreinemachers of Schreinemachers Sarl said that it is not true that no policeis cover replacement value of furniture; however, it is often an option, rather than being standard, and some insurers do not do it at all.
Look out for a policy that offers valeur à neuf intégrale, he said. In such a case, the policy will cover the real replacement costs as long as you get like for like.
He said you should check policies’ small print: some may appear to offer the full replacement value, but instead cover the real value of the item as judged by a loss adjustor, bearing in mind wear and tear, plus a set percentage of the actual replacement cost (such as 25 per cent), but only once you present a receipt for a replacement item. In such a case, your whole replacement expense may not be covered.
Concerning the second part of your question, Mr Schreinemachers said you would not have any liability if you use a reputable, properly registered business, or, if you are employing the person directly, if you use a system such as the chèque emploi service universel and are therefore paying the appropriate social security levies.
However, in a case where it was proved that the person was injured directly as a result of a fault in the building, then the personal liability part of household insurance would apply, he said.
