Insurance top priority when buying in France

Whether you are splashing out on a holiday home, investing in a buy-to-let apartment or thinking of retiring, when buying in France, insurance should be a top priority.

Policies offered by French insurers tend to cover less than in the UK so it is sometimes advisable to choose a British firm who offer insurance specifically designed for holiday homes.

Buildings insurance covers the actual structure of a French home and includes things like the cost of repairs, debris removal, builders' charges and loss or damage caused by an earthquake, fire, storm, flood or burst pipes.

It should also serve to cover fixtures and fittings within the property as well as kitchens and baths.

A common mistake is to get insurance cover for the market value of a French home but the actual figure given to the company needs to cover the cost of rebuilding the property.

This amount must include the full price of reconstructing all outbuildings, barns, domestic oil and gas pipes, domestic oil fuel tanks, swimming pools, tennis courts, drives, patios, terraces, walls, gates and fences if necessary.

It is advisable to contact local builders or surveyors when trying to calculate the rebuild value of a property, especially if it is an old farmhouse building. This is because underinsuring could result in not receiving the expected amount in the event of a claim.

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