For tenants, taking out home insurance is often recommended, or even mandatory, depending on the law in force in the country concerned. This guarantee can cover many risks to which rented accommodation may be exposed. Explore here the relevant information about taking out home insurance as a tenant, as well as the key criteria to consider in order to make an informed decision.
Home insurance: is it an obligation for the tenant?
According to the standards in force on French territory, home insurance is an obligation for anyone who rents accommodation. In effect, Law No. 89-462 of July 6, 1989 introduced to improve rental relations clearly stipulates that the tenant is required to insure against the risks to which the accommodation will be subject. He must also be able to provide proof of the guarantee when the keys are handed over, or each year at the owner’s request.
The lessor may therefore require a certificate of home insurance during the validation of the contract or before the renewal of the lease. If the proof is not presented within the required time, the lessor has the option of terminating the lease and simply demanding the eviction of the occupant.
The owner can also take out home insurance on behalf of the tenant. The latter will be required to pay the monthly insurance premiums at the same time as his rent.
How to choose your home insurance?
When you find the best insurance for your home, you get excellent peace of mind. However, with the many options available, it can be difficult to know how to select the coverage tailored to your needs. You must therefore carry out an in-depth analysis and base yourself on certain fundamental criteria in order to make the right choice.
Consider your needs
The first thing to do to find the ideal home insurance is to assess your needs. It is important to understand what risks you are exposed to in order to choose an appropriate guarantee. For example, if you live in an area prone to flooding, you should opt for insurance that covers water damage. If you keep at home high value itemsyou should look for an insurance policy that takes into account the protection of these assets.
Compare offers
The next step is to examine several offers in order to find the one that suits you best. For this, you need to research the companies and compare the insurance policies they offer.
In order to have a precise idea of the different prices, you must request an estimate according to your expectations. There are several ways you can get a quote. In general, insurance companies have an online tool through which you can perform a simulation. You thus have the possibility of repeating the operation as many times as you wish by connecting to the dedicated platforms. If you want to go through other means, you can contact the insurer by phone or go directly to the agency.
To save time and avoid examining all the offers yourself, the most effective solution is to use an online insurance comparator. The operation of this tool is very simple. You only need to submit some personal data once and housing information and the value of the property you want to cover. The comparator will therefore use this information to automatically provide you with the quotes best suited to your profile.
Analyze the terms and conditions
You should also fully understand the terms and conditions of the insurance you choose. Read the contract carefully to find out what damages are covered. You still need to consider compensation ceilings, warranty exclusions and waiting periods. If necessary, ask the insurer questions if you don’t understand something.
Consider the image of the insurer
It is also recommended to check the reputation of the insurance company. Search the net for reviews from past customers or ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have already purchased homeowners insurance. The positive reputation of an insurance company is often attributed to the quality of its services. This is a reliability criterion on which you can base yourself to make an informed decision.
What coverage does insurance offer you as a tenant?
A home insurance for tenants offers in the first place personal property coverage contained in the accommodation. It can be furniture, clothing, jewelry, electronics, etc. In the event of theft, fire, water damage or other losses covered by this guarantee, the coverage will indemnify the cost of repair or replacement. However, the amount may vary depending on the insurance policy you choose.
There public liability is another fundamental protection offered by home insurance for tenants. In the event that you are held responsible for damage caused to a third party or to their property under your roof, this guarantee may cover the expenses necessary to compensate for the damage.
Home insurance for tenants can also cover temporary accommodation costs. If your apartment becomes uninhabitable after a loss covered by the guarantee, your insurer can help you manage the expenses required for your temporary accommodation in a hotel.
It is essential to point out that certain disasters, such as earthquakes, are not automatically included in the protection offered by your home insurance. If you live in an area prone to these types of events, you may need a additional guarantee for total protection.
Steps to follow to take out home insurance
Once you have found the offer that suits you, you must now confirm your choice by subscribing. To start, you will need fill in the form mentioning the requested information. It is this fundamental information that will allow the insurer to draw up your contract by integrating the appropriate conditions. The data you provide will be used, for example, to determine the exact amount of the premium. In addition, they will serve as a benchmark for granting compensation in the event of a claim.
The information to be presented generally concerns the type of accommodation. You will need to specify whether it is an apartment or a house and whether it is used as a primary or secondary residence. You will also need to give details of the location of the home and reveal the number of rooms, the area, as well as the presence of special facilities (swimming pool, greenhouse, barn, etc.).
If you have set up safety equipment, you must also notify them, because these devices can play a crucial role in the calculation of the amount of the premium. Finally, you must share your insured profile, specifying whether you have already experienced claims before. The information provided must be accompanied by your bank details, a copy of your identity card, a copy of the rental contract and a proof of address which dates from the last six months.
After having received and analyzed your file, the insurer will send you a form which contains the amount of the contributions as well as all the conditions related to the cover. You will therefore have to read the clauses of a contract and check whether everything that is listed corresponds to your basic requests and current standards.
If all the elements indicated in the document suit you, all you have to do is add your signature and send the document back to your insurer. The latter will inform you of the special conditions of your contract and will send you an insurance certificate that you can present at the required times.