By Fire claim in 60 seconds
Right away
- Call 18 or 112 : firefighters first.
- Evacuate : never try to fight a serious fire yourself.
- Don't re-enter until firefighters confirm safety.
After
- Get the firefighter report (rapport d'intervention).
- Notify your insurer within 5 days.
- Photograph damage before any cleanup.
What does the fire guarantee cover ?
The MRH fire guarantee (garantie incendie) is mandatory by article 7 g of the loi du 6 juillet 1989 for tenants. It covers :
- Fire damage from any accidental cause : electrical shorts, kitchen accidents, candles, etc. ;
- Explosion damage : gas leaks, fireworks accidents ;
- Lightning strikes directly on the property ;
- Smoke damage from a covered fire (even on items not directly burnt) ;
- Water damage from firefighting : water used to extinguish the fire counts as fire damage, not water damage ;
- Cost of demolition if the structure is unsafe ;
- Cost of removing debris ;
- Temporary relocation if the property is uninhabitable.
Generally not covered :
- Arson by the policyholder : fraud, voids the contract entirely ;
- Wildfires (incendie de forêt) : usually covered by the catastrophe naturelle guarantee instead ;
- Damage caused exclusively by the heat without flames (e.g. an iron left on burns the carpet) ;
- Pre-existing fire damage not declared at subscription.
Step by step : what to do
Get to safety, then call 18 (or 112)
Evacuate immediately, alert neighbours, take only essential documents (passport, IDs) if accessible. Don't try to fight a serious fire yourself : firefighters are 5-10 minutes away in urban areas. Don't re-enter until they confirm safety.
Cooperate with the firefighters
Tell them what you know about the fire's origin. They produce a "rapport d'intervention" : keep their team number and intervention number to retrieve it later. The report is essential for your insurance claim.
Document the damage with photos
As soon as firefighters allow re-entry. Wide shots, close-ups of damaged items, structural damage, smoke marks. Don't move anything yet : the insurance expert may want to see the scene as-is.
Notify your insurer immediately, max 5 working days
By app, email, online form, or phone : whichever is fastest. Article L113-2 of the Code des assurances. For major fires, call the insurer's emergency line directly.
Make your home safe
If structural damage : get emergency board-up done (broken windows, doors). Cut off gas, electricity. Insurer reimburses these urgent measures with receipts.
List of damaged items
Within 30 days : produce an inventory of damaged contents with original purchase receipts where possible. For valuables (jewellery, electronics), photos and serial numbers. Without proof, the insurer pays based on standard valuations : usually less.
Expert visit
For major damage, the insurer sends a partner expert to evaluate the cost of repair/reconstruction. Cooperate fully : provide access, documents, witnesses.
Indemnification
Once the expert's report is accepted by both sides, payment within 30 days. For major reconstruction, sometimes paid in stages directly to the contractor.
Temporary accommodation
If your home is uninhabitable after a fire, the MRH guarantee includes relogement temporaire :
- Hotel costs for the first nights ;
- Equivalent rental while reconstruction is in progress (typically up to 6-12 months) ;
- Storage of saved belongings ;
- Moving costs twice (out + back in).
Cap is usually around €10,000 to €30,000 depending on the contract. Confirm with your insurer ; some MRH contracts have a daily cap (€80-€150 per day) instead.
Tenant vs owner : who pays for what ?
If you're a tenant
- Your MRH covers your contents and the bailleur's liability against you ;
- The bailleur's PNO covers the building reconstruction ;
- If your action caused the fire (faulty appliance, candle), your MRH civil-liability cover handles the bailleur's claim.
If you're an owner-occupier
- Your MRH covers contents AND structure ;
- If a flat in a co-ownership : the syndic's collective insurance covers common areas.
Preventing fires
- Smoke detector mandatory by law (loi Morange, March 2015) : at least one per dwelling, in the entrance hall or main corridor. Test monthly.
- Don't leave appliances on when sleeping or away : washing machine, dishwasher, dryer.
- Maintain electrical installations : ground every socket, replace damaged sockets, never run multiple high-power devices on one extension.
- Service gas appliances yearly : boiler (chaudière), oven, water heater.
- Never leave candles or stove flames unattended.
- Have a fire extinguisher (extincteur) in the kitchen : €30-€60 from a hardware store.
Frequently asked questions
Declaration deadline ?
5 working days. For major fires : call the insurer's emergency line on day 1.
What if I caused the fire ?
Accidental fires (faulty appliance, kitchen accident, etc.) are covered. Intentional arson by the policyholder voids the contract entirely (article L113-1 of the Code des assurances). Negligence (e.g. leaving a candle unattended) is covered, but the insurer can apply a higher franchise.
Will the insurer pay for hotel/rental ?
Yes, the relogement temporaire guarantee covers hotel costs for the first nights and equivalent rental while reconstruction is in progress. Cap usually €10,000–€30,000.
Electrical short-circuit covered ?
Yes if it caused a fire. The damage to the appliance itself is covered by the optional "dommages électriques" guarantee.
If a stranger sets fire to my property ?
Covered. File a police report and provide it alongside your insurance claim. The insurer indemnifies you and seeks recovery from the arsonist.