Multirisque Habitation: The French Home Insurance, Explained

Selectra partner MRH offers

4 insurers we've vetted for English-friendly subscription, fast attestation delivery and quality claim handling.

Selectra partner MRH offers ranked by Selectra score

Insurer	Type	Selectra score	Get a quote
Direct Assurance	Online		Free quote →
Acheel	Online		Free quote →
Axa	Traditional		Free quote →
Allianz	Traditional		Free quote →

Live data · Updated 20 May 2026.

What is multirisque habitation ?

In France, multirisque habitation (often shortened to MRH or "multirisque") is the single contract every household subscribes to in order to insure their home and personal belongings. Unlike the UK or the US : where buildings, contents, public liability and natural-disaster cover are often sold as separate policies : the French market consolidates everything into one product.

The legal framework comes from article 7 g of the loi du 6 juillet 1989, which obliges any tenant of an unfurnished home to insure against risques locatifs : fire, water damage and explosion. In practice, every insurer fulfils this obligation by selling an MRH contract that includes those three guarantees plus civil liability, plus several optional add-ons.

Owners are not legally required to subscribe MRH, but in practice :

• Co-ownership rules (loi ALUR 2014, article 9-1 of the loi du 10 juillet 1965) require at minimum civil liability cover for any flat owner : occupant or not.
• Mortgage lenders systematically require full MRH cover for the duration of the loan.
• Without MRH, you alone bear the cost of fire, water leak, theft or vandalism.

The four mandatory coverages

Every MRH contract : regardless of insurer : includes four base guarantees that satisfy the legal obligation under article 7 g.

1. Civil liability (responsabilité civile)

Covers damage that you, your family, or your pets cause to others : neighbours, the bailleur, visitors. The most frequent claim category in France. Required by every condominium charter ; without it, you're personally liable for damage your apartment causes to neighbours below in case of a leak or fire.

2. Water damage (dégât des eaux)

Leaks, infiltrations, overflows from washing machines, dishwashers, plumbing. The most common claim type : about 30% of all home insurance claims in France relate to water damage. Includes the cost of locating and repairing the leak source. Step-by-step procedure for declaring water damage.

3. Fire and explosion (incendie, explosion)

Damage from fires of any cause, electrical short-circuits, gas explosions and lightning strikes. Includes smoke damage and the cost of demolition / debris removal. How to declare a fire claim.

4. Natural disasters (catastrophes naturelles)

Floods, droughts, storms, landslides : any event recognised as a natural disaster by an interministerial decree (published in the Journal officiel). Required by article L125-1 of the Code des assurances on every MRH contract.

How much does MRH cost ?

Live monthly premium ranges across the 8 active MRH offers, broken down by occupant profile. Min, average and max are pulled straight from the Selectra Insurance API : every published formula in the panel is included in the aggregation.

Live data · Selectra Insurance API · 8 offers analysed · Updated 20 May 2026.

Premiums vary by ±50% for the exact same property across the 8 active insurers. The biggest cost drivers :

• Surface (m²) : the larger the home, the higher the premium ;
• Postal code : Paris and Côte d'Azur cost up to 2× more than rural areas ;
• Declared mobile-property value : usually €5,000 to €30,000 depending on what you own ;
• Number of rooms : affects the basic premium ;
• Property type : flat vs house ; ground floor vs upstairs ;
• Optional guarantees selected.

For a personalised quote that matches your exact address and profile, our advisor compares the panel in your name and emails the attestation within 30 minutes :

Frequently asked questions

Is MRH mandatory ?

Yes for tenants of unfurnished properties (article 7 g of the loi du 6 juillet 1989). Owners and tenants of furnished rentals : the lease, the mortgage bank or the condo charter usually require it, even if the law doesn't.

What's the difference between MRH and "specified-risk" insurance ?

MRH covers all risks except those expressly excluded : the "all-risks" approach. Specified-risk insurance covers only the events explicitly listed. MRH is the dominant product on the French market ; specified-risk is rare and usually cheaper but riskier.

How much will I pay ?

Paris studio : €100 to €200/year. 60–80 m² flat : €180 to €380. Owner-occupied house : €280 to €700. Use our live comparator for an exact quote.

When do I get the attestation ?

Most online insurers send it by email within 30 minutes of subscription. Traditional insurers : 24–48 hours. Full attestation guide.

How do I make a claim ?

Notify your insurer within 5 working days for water/fire damage, 2 working days for theft (alongside a police report). The insurer sends an expert if the damage exceeds the franchise. Water damage · Fire · Theft.