Assured in France—Navigating Insurance the Smart (and Sexy) Way

Whether you’re brand new to French life or have been living here for decades, insurance in France is one of those essential, yet often bewildering topics. It’s not sexy. It’s not fun. But it can mean the difference between sleeping soundly or pulling your hair out when your ceiling collapses (like mine did), your car gets sideswiped, or heaven forbid—your visiting cousin falls down your spiral staircase.

Bienvenue to French life, mes amis.

INSURANCE À LA FRANÇAISE: WHAT YOU NEED (AND PROBABLY DON’T HAVE YET)

If you’re a property owner, tenant, car driver, business operator, or just someone with a body and a bank account, you’re going to need some combination of the following:

“Assurance Habitation” (Home Insurance)

Required by law for tenants, and a no-brainer for homeowners. Covers water damage, theft, natural disasters, liability for third parties, and more. That said—not all policies are created equal. Some may leave you high and dry when it comes to things like mold, electrical issues, or guest-related accidents.

“Mutuelle Complémentaire” (Health Insurance)

France’s public health system is excellent—but not 100% free. A “mutuelle” fills in the gaps, and you’ll want one that works with your Carte Vitale to make everything seamless. If you’re an auto-entrepreneur, expat, or retired here, this is worth investing in.

“Assurance Auto” (Car Insurance)

Mandatory. Comes in tiers: tiers (third-party), “tiers étendu,” and “tous risques” (all risk). Don’t be tempted to go cheap here—France’s paperwork jungle will make you regret it.

“Responsabilité Civile” (Liability)

It’s the unsung hero of French insurance: protects you if you or your kids (or your dog!) damage someone else’s property or cause injury. Often bundled with habitation.

Travel, Life, Legal Protection and More

Think broader: Do you have an “assurance voyage” for your visitors? What about legal assistance if you get into a landlord dispute? Do you need contents insurance for that antique mirror you had shipped from Italy? Odds are, yes.

ENTER: FAB INSURANCE—FABULOUSLY EASY!

When my clients asked me, “Who do you recommend for insurance?,” I don’t hesitate.

Fabien Pelissier of Fab Insurance (a broker with more than a decade of experience navigating the French system) is my go-to guru for anything insurance-related (and who makes insurance “sexy!”). Fabien is not only fluent in English (hallelujah!), he’s also incredibly responsive, clear, and just plain nice to deal with—no small feat when you’re knee-deep in French policy jargon.

He’s helped, not dozens, but hundreds, of my clients secure:

• Customized health insurance for Americans navigating the CPAM maze
• Homeowner and renter policies that actually cover what they need
• Smart car insurance options with flexible payment terms
• Niche policies for Airbnb hosts, art collectors, and more

Fabien and his team work with a wide range of insurance providers, so they find what fits you, not the other way around. Best of all? No additional cost for working through a broker. They get paid by the insurer, not you.

FINAL THOUGHT: DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE

Every week, I hear stories from expats and homeowners who thought they were covered… until they weren’t. The devil in France is in the paperwork—and the small print. Having the right insurance coverage, with someone you can talk to in plain English, makes all the difference.

So this week, I challenge you: dig out your policies, take a hard look, and ask yourself: If something goes wrong tomorrow, do I know who to call—and what I’m covered for?

If the answer is “non,” then it’s time to talk to Fab.

Stay safe, stay covered, and stay smart in France.

Contact Fabien and his team!
PHONE: +33 05 33 06 35 78
MOBILE: +33 06 37 17 91 45
EMAIL
WEBSITE

A la prochaine…