Although it is mandatory only for tenants, home insurance is a feature that landlords cannot ignore since it protects property and the property itself. Due to the multitude of offers available, it often becomes difficult to choose. It will then be necessary to take into account certain selection criteria to find the offer that suits you best.
The amount of the goods and the deductible
Home insurance does not only cover housing, but also the movable property it contains (household appliances, furniture, jewelry, etc.). It will therefore be necessary to have the value of all your belongings estimated by a specialist, if necessary, to avoid paying the high price. Your insurance premium will depend on the amount of property to be insured.
The deductible is the amount you will have to pay when you are compensated for a loss. It can be relative (full compensation as soon as the amount is exceeded) or absolute (amount reimbursed: difference between the amount of the incident and the deductible). Generally included in the contract, it can be calculated in different ways so make sure you choose the right option (fixed amount, percentage or both).
The method of compensation and the status of the insured
To choose the right home insurance, you will also need to consider the method of compensation. The ideal is to opt for a new re-equipment method rather than a re-equipment with use value to avoid that the obsolescence coefficient is considered when compensating.
You should also know that you will also have to choose an insurance policy depending on your status. If you are a homeowner, subscription is not mandatory, but recommended. For tenants, comprehensive home insurance is required by law and the lack of insurance may be a reason to terminate the contract. The co-owners can insure their personal property since the syndic of co-ownership will also have to insure the entire building.
The risks covered
Finally, when taking out home insurance, do not hesitate to check the risks covered and the type of coverage the insurer offers:
- Fire (fire and lightning): contained in all contracts
- Water damage: the cost of installing new equipment is often not included in the contract
- Theft: to be supplemented with measures to protect against burglaries
- Climatic disasters (snow, storm and hail): guarantee imposed by law
- Glass breakage: always included in contracts
- Other: expert fees, relocation fees... that you can choose according to your needs
To make the right choice and avoid paying premiums that do not correspond to the real value of your home, make sure that all the risks you want to prevent are mentioned in the contract.