Life Insurance in France (Assurance Décès)

In France, there are two types of life insurance policies:

Assurance vie

Although literally translating to ‘Life Insurance’, the ‘Assurance Vie’ in France refers to a long-term savings programme. These policies are typically taken out when saving for retirement or as a way to manage financial assets, and offer some potential tax-saving benefits. These savings programmes are also a popular choice for inheritance planning as they are not subject to inheritance tax up to a certain amount (conditions do apply, so be sure to seek professional advice on this before signing up).

For more advice on inheritance planning and Assurance Vie head over to our Wealth Management zone.

Assurance décès

Those looking to take out a more traditional life insurance policy will want to look for an assurance décès (literally: death insurance). These policies are similar to those offered in other countries, wherebya sum of money is paid out to the beneficiary in the event of your death by accident or illness.

Assurance décès policies are available through all of France’s main insurers, and there is a wide variety of policies available. Most policies include a lump-sum capital payment to the beneficiary, but there are also possibilities to include provisions for funeral expenses (assurance obsequies)or disability or incapacity insurance. You can also assign lump-sum amounts to numerous beneficiaries, or have this capital paid out as monthly payments, for example to fund your children’s studies until they reach a certain age.

Those of you who are employed in France are often automatically signed up for a policy, so it’s worth checking check with your HR department.

Life Insurance for a French mortgage

If you’re taking out a French mortgage or another long-term bank loan, it is typically required to take out a life insurance policy to cover the loan amount in the event of your death. This is most commonly known as an Assurance de prêt immobilier (mortgage insurance) and will pay off the remainder of your mortgage or loan to your lender in the event of your death. Although many insurers offer assurance de prêt immobilier, some mortgage lenders, especially the French banks, will insist that this policy is taken out with them.

Whether you need homeowners insurance, car insurance, or want advice on how best to protect your French assets, FrenchEntrée is here to help! Read the rest of our Essential Reading Articles, then get in touch with our trusted insurance providers for a quote or advice on your French insurance needs.