Insure your accommodation, what for ?
What is multi-risk home insurance (MRH insurance)?
- This insurance is used to cover you against rental risks.
- All tenants must take out home insurance: it must be presented to the lessor when handing over the keys and / or signing the lease
- The law provides that the tenant must cover the rented property against rental risks: fire, explosion and water damage
- It includes (most of the time) a liability guarantee
What do we mean by rental risks ?
Rental risks are risks incurred when living in a rental. The main ones covered by HRM are:
- Water damage (leaks, floods, etc.)
- Fires
- Flights
- Broken glass
- Natural disaster
MRH insurance can often cover other events such as terrorist acts and terrorist attacks.
Attention !
Certain aspects of your rental are not necessarily covered (wear and tear on the accommodation, furniture, etc.). The exclusions of cover in the insurance contract should be carefully checked.
What is civil liability ?
The civil liability insurance taken out normally covers damage to third parties:
- Caused by your fault, recklessness or negligence,
- Committed by all members of your family if they live under your roof
- Caused by the people you employ (housekeeper, gardener, baby-sitter ...)
- Caused by your pets (or those you keep)
- Caused by items you own, or have borrowed or rented
However, not all of the Civil Liabilities offered cover everything. You should carefully check the clauses of a proposed contract and adapt to your needs.
How to choose your Home insurance?
Nowadays and thanks to the internet, there is a huge offer of home insurance, but beware! It is advisable to check certain elements before subscribing:
- The deductibles, that is to say the amount that will remain at your expense in the event of a claim;
- Guarantees included and not included;
- The exclusions of guarantees, that is to say the special cases for which you will not be compensated or covered by your insurance, and which limit the value of the options subscribed;
- Compensation limits, which also restrict the scope of your home insurance and its guarantees;
- Waiting periods, i.e. the latency period between the subscription of your contract and its entry into force;
- Compensation methods (we speak of replacement cost or deducted value) after an incident.
Your choice will of course also be influenced by your budget and the size of your rental.
What damages are covered by my insurance ?
| Damage | Covered ? |
|---|---|
| Theft | yes |
| Broken glass | Yes |
| Natural disasters | Yes |
| Fires | Yes |
| Water damage (leaks, floods, etc.) | Yes |
| Attacks | Yes |
| Wear and tear (housing, furniture) | No |
| Nuclear or ionizing radiation damage | No |
| War damage | No |
| Fire damage if there is no alarm | Non |
| Damage the origin of which is prior to the signing of the home insurance contract | No |
| The illegal possession of weapons and explosives by the insured or a person residing under his roof | No |
| The practice of dangerous sports | No |