Why insurance IS worth the paper it’s written on (despite what you’re being told on Facebook)

2026-01-27

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If you’re renovating a property in France, chances are you’ve heard the term assurance décennale - along with claims that's it's not worth the paper it's written on. In this episode, Rosie, Sue and Micala explain why it most certainly IS!There’s are lots of details you'll want to remember, so we’ve pulled everything together into a clear, written guide on our website: www.frenchrenodiaries.com Resources mentioned in the episodeService Public - the official French government website for rules on construc...

If you’re renovating a property in France, chances are you’ve heard the term assurance décennale - along with claims that's it's not worth the paper it's written on. In this episode, Rosie, Sue and Micala explain why it most certainly IS!

There’s are lots of details you'll want to remember, so we’ve pulled everything together into a clear, written guide on our website: www.frenchrenodiaries.com

Resources mentioned in the episode

Service Public - the official French government website for rules on construction, insurance and homeowner responsibilities.
Your local mairie - a key point of contact for renovation rules, declarations and local requirements.
Qualified French artisans - always ask for a valid attestation d’assurance décennale before work starts - and check it covers the work being done.
Architects / maîtres d’œuvre - particularly useful for larger renovations, structural work or coordinating multiple trades.
Facebook renovation groups - helpful for shared experiences, but advice should always be verified.

Mini Glossary: Key French insurance terms

Attestation d’assurance - the insurance certificate you must check before work begins.
Assurance décennale - a mandatory 10-year insurance held by professionals.
Garantie décennale - the 10-year legal guarantee that applies once work is completed and signed off.
Garantie de parfait achèvement (1 year) - covers defects reported within the first year after completion.
Garantie biennale (2 years) - covers fixtures and equipment such as heating systems.
Réception de travaux - the formal sign-off of completed work (this triggers all guarantees).
Assurance dommage-ouvrage - omeowner insurance that pays for repairs quickly while insurers sort out liability.

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Find out more about us and our French reno businesses:

Maison Bretagne (Rosie Ellis)

S.R. Charpenterie (Sue Peake-Russell)

Paul Wilkins Electricien (Micala Wilkins)

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