People with a second home in France should check their insurance policy

Owning a second home in another country can be challenging if having to deal with an issue such as burglary, fire or a water leak etc from afar. 

It is important to alert your insurance company as soon as possible if you suffer such an event. 

However, a standard element of most insurance contracts could reduce the level of compensation payable or even result in a claim being fully rejected. 

The ‘empty home’ clause

The ‘clause d’inhabitation’ or sometimes ‘clause d’inoccupation’ can invalidate an insurance contract if your home is left unoccupied for a continued period of time and you later look to make a claim under the contract.

This does not not arise if leaving your property when working or undertaking activities each day but for longer periods, usually ranging from 30 to 90 days. It could be an issue if you are away for an extended holiday. 

Second-home owners should have specific policies 

It means that ‘standard’ home insurance policies are unlikely to provide the cover second property owners require.

This could also be the case for a person’s principal residence if they live alone and travel for work for an extended period. 

Secondary residences are more likely to remain empty for much of the year. This can especially be the case if the owners do not live in France and are restricted as to how much time they are able to spend in the country each year. 

It is important even for those with a principal and second home in France that the policy covering the lesser-used home addresses this timing point. 

Many French insurers will offer policies to cover second homes specifically to take into account their usage.