French Insurance Chimney Sweeping Clause
Reading through French house insurance policy details is a task that many property owners skip when taking out a policy, especially when it is written in a foreign language. Not only is there the issue of not understanding what is actually covered, there are also policy conditions and exclusions that could leave you uninsured
A “burning issue” that many French property owners are unaware of, is the requirement of some French insurance policies that properties have chimneys swept once a year. Homeowners face the risk of being uninsured following a chimney fire, if they can’t prove that chimneys are swept annually.
To avoid being uninsured, it is essential to check if your French insurer has this clause in your policy. If so, its important to get a valid “certificat de ramonage” from your chimney sweep, as it is likely that the terms of your policy will require it to be produced following a fire.
Although there are diy sweeping products available, these are likely to be unacceptable by some insurers.
As winter approaches and fires are used as the main source of heat throughout France, the risk of breaching your insurance policy should be taken seriously. Read your policy, understand what your insurance covers and identify exclusions that could leave you underinsured.
Better safe than sorry
Our French insurance doesn’t require chimneys to be swept, but whatever the terms of your insurance, the greater risk may well be to you and your guests personal safety. We recommend regular cleaning of chimneys and it’s also advisable to install fire alarms throughout your holiday home.
Overseas insurance policies often include unfamiliar clauses such as this in their terms, as insurance practices in Foreign countries are different to those which we are familiar with in the UK. That’s why we recommend choosing a UK based policy that is easy to understand – so you know exactly what’s covered.