By Water damage claim in 60 seconds
Right away
- Stop the leak source : close the main water valve.
- Take photos before any drying or repair attempts.
- Notify the building manager (syndic) if a flat.
Within 5 working days
- Fill the constat amiable dégât des eaux with the responsible neighbour.
- Send to your insurer by email, app or registered letter.
- Keep all receipts : emergency plumber, drying machines, replacements.
What counts as water damage ?
The standard MRH guarantee covers :
- Leaks from plumbing (sinks, showers, pipes, toilets, water heater) ;
- Overflows from appliances (washing machine, dishwasher) ;
- Infiltrations through walls or roofs (during heavy rain, snow melt) ;
- Frozen pipes that burst in winter ;
- Damage caused by a neighbour's leak spreading to your home ;
- Damage from public-network failures (city pipes bursting in the street).
Generally not covered :
- Slow leaks that you knew about and didn't repair (negligence) ;
- Damage from natural disasters (use the natural-disaster guarantee instead) ;
- Damage to outdoor pools, spas, ornamental fountains (separate guarantee) ;
- The leak source repair itself : only the damage caused by it. The plumbing repair is on you.
Step by step : what to do
Stop the leak immediately
Close the main water valve in your apartment (usually under the kitchen sink or in the entrance hall). If the leak is from a building pipe, contact the syndic (building manager) urgently. Don't wait : every hour of running water costs hundreds of euros in damage.
Document the damage with photos
Wide shots of affected rooms, close-ups of damaged items, the source of the leak. Take photos before any drying or cleanup. Include date and time stamps if possible. Keep the originals : don't compress.
Identify the responsible party
If you're a tenant : your contents are insured by your MRH ; the building structure is the bailleur's responsibility. If from a neighbour above : note their contact, building, flat number. If from the building : notify the syndic.
Fill the "constat amiable dégât des eaux"
A French standardised joint form, similar to the car constat. Fill it jointly with the neighbour or syndic identified as the leak source. Both parties sign. Each insurer receives a copy via the policyholder.
Notify your insurer within 5 working days
By app, email, online form, or registered letter. Article L113-2 of the Code des assurances. Late declaration can void the indemnity. Even a brief notification on day 1 starts the clock : you can complete the documentation later.
Keep emergency-repair receipts
Plumber call-out, drying-machine rental, mould treatment, temporary accommodation if you couldn't sleep at home. Send these to the insurer along with the claim : they're typically reimbursable.
Wait for the expert visit
For damage above the franchise (excess), the insurer sends a partner expert to evaluate. Schedule the visit promptly. The expert estimates the indemnity ; you can contest with a counter-expertise at your expense.
Receive the indemnity
Within 30 days of agreement on the expert's evaluation. Bank transfer to your IBAN, minus the franchise. For major damage, sometimes paid directly to the contractor restoring the property.
The IRSI convention
For water-damage claims under €5,000, French insurers apply the IRSI convention (Indemnisation et Recours des Sinistres Immeuble). The basic rule : your own insurer pays you, regardless of who's at fault. This dramatically speeds up indemnification compared to the traditional liability-determination process.
For claims above €5,000, the traditional liability-based process applies : your insurer indemnifies you, then recovers from the at-fault party's insurer (subrogation).
For tenants, the IRSI convention applies between : your insurer, the bailleur's PNO insurer, the upstairs neighbour's insurer (if applicable). The syndic involvement is required for damage to common areas.
Tenant vs owner : who pays for what ?
If you're a tenant
- Your MRH covers your contents (furniture, electronics, clothing) ;
- The bailleur's PNO covers the building structure (walls, ceiling, floors) ;
- If the leak comes from your appliance (washing machine, dishwasher) : your MRH pays for damage to neighbours via your civil liability cover ;
- If the leak comes from the building (plumbing in walls, common areas) : the syndic and bailleur sort it ;
- If the leak comes from a neighbour : their MRH (or PNO if owner) pays.
If you're an owner-occupier
- Your MRH covers contents AND structure within your flat ;
- Damage to common areas (corridors, stairwells) : the syndic's collective insurance ;
- You may be responsible if the leak originated from your flat : your civil liability cover handles that.
Critical deadlines
- Day 0 : the leak occurs. Stop the source, document, contact emergency plumber if needed.
- Within 5 working days : declare to your insurer (article L113-2 of the Code des assurances). Late declaration can void the claim.
- Within 30 days : send the completed constat amiable dégât des eaux signed by both parties.
- Day 30-60 : expert visit, evaluation report.
- Day 60-90 : insurer's indemnification offer.
- Day 90-120 : payment to your IBAN if you accept the offer.
Preventing water damage
- Identify your main water valve (vanne d'arrêt) when you move in : usually under the kitchen sink or in the entrance hall. Test that it works.
- Cut off water and heating when leaving for more than 7 days in winter : frozen pipes are a top cause of major water claims.
- Maintain caulking around showers, baths, sinks. Replace silicone every 3-5 years.
- Replace washing machine and dishwasher hoses every 5-10 years : old ones rupture suddenly.
- Check the water heater (chauffe-eau) yearly : drip pan, anti-corrosion anode, pressure-relief valve.
- Install a leak detector : connected sensors (€30-€100) alert you via app within seconds. Some MRH contracts give a discount for installation.
Frequently asked questions
What's the declaration deadline ?
5 working days from the moment you become aware of the damage. Article L113-2 of the Code des assurances.
What's the typical franchise (excess) ?
Usually €120 to €300. Some MRH contracts apply a higher franchise (€500+) for water damage specifically. Check your conditions générales.
What if my insurer refuses ?
First : check your contract for the exclusion cited. Common reasons for refusal : late declaration, slow leak you didn't repair, exclusion in conditions générales. Second : contact the Médiateur de l'assurance (free, independent) : mediation-assurance.org.
As a tenant, who pays for the building repair ?
The bailleur's PNO insurance covers the building structure. Your MRH covers your contents. The IRSI convention coordinates the indemnification for claims under €5,000.
Water damage in an Airbnb let ?
If your second-home contract declares the let activity, the cover applies. If not declared, the insurer can refuse : see second-home insurance.