Mortgage loan insurance in France

Buying property in France almost always involves « assurance emprunteur » : the bank requires death and disability cover on the mortgage — it is not legally mandatory, but no cover, no loan. The bank will push its own group contract ; since the Lemoine law (2022) you may instead choose any insurer offering equivalent guarantees, and switch at any time during the loan, often halving the insurance cost for young, healthy borrowers.

Also from the Lemoine law: no medical questionnaire at all when the insured share is under €200,000 per borrower and the loan ends before age 60 — a major point for expats with medical history. Non-resident buyers face a narrower market (some insurers decline non-residents): specialist brokers handle these profiles.

Frequently asked questions

Can the bank refuse my external insurance?

Only for lack of « equivalent guarantees », assessed against standardised criteria the bank must publish, with a written, itemised answer within 10 working days. Refusing for any other reason — or changing your loan rate in retaliation — is unlawful.

I live abroad and am buying in France: can I get insured?

Yes, but the market narrows: several French insurers exclude non-residents or specific countries. Specialist delegation insurers and brokers cover most situations, sometimes with adjusted terms — anticipate this step early in your purchase timeline.

Related guides: French mortgage insurance: the Lemoine leverage. Full details (profiles, breed pages, comparisons) on the French page.