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Water Through the Ceiling: Making a Home Insurance Claim in France

Phrases to sort out water damage with a neighbour, report the claim to your insurer and follow it up.

Home insurance (assurance habitation) is compulsory for tenants in France, and a dégât des eaux, a leak from a neighbour's flat, is the most common claim. You fill in a constat amiable dégât des eaux with the neighbour and declare the sinistre to your insurer within five working days, with photos and receipts; under the IRSI agreement your own insurer usually handles it and settles with the other one. An expert may visit for bigger damage, and the franchise (excess) is deducted from what you're paid.

Urban flooding scene showing waterlogged street and buildings.
Photo: Valentin Ivantsov on Pexels
  1. 1

    Je voudrais déclarer un sinistre.

    I'd like to report a claim.

  2. 2

    Quel est votre numéro de contrat ?

    What's your policy number?

  3. 3

    J'ai eu un dégât des eaux dans mon appartement.

    I've had water damage in my flat.

  4. 4

    L'eau vient de chez le voisin du dessus.

    The water's coming from the upstairs neighbour's.

  5. 5

    Le plafond est taché et la peinture s'écaille.

    The ceiling is stained and the paint is flaking off.

  6. 6

    Il faut remplir un constat amiable.

    We need to fill in a joint report.

  7. 7

    Vous avez les coordonnées de votre assurance habitation ?

    Do you have your home insurance details?

  8. 8

    Quand est-ce que ça s'est produit ?

    When did it happen?

  9. 9

    Vous avez cinq jours ouvrés pour le déclarer.

    You have five working days to report it.

  10. 10

    Merci de nous envoyer des photos des dégâts.

    Please send us photos of the damage.

  11. 11

    Gardez les factures des objets abîmés.

    Keep the receipts for the damaged items.

  12. 12

    Un expert va passer constater les dégâts.

    An assessor will come by to inspect the damage.

  13. 13

    Est-ce que c'est couvert par mon contrat ?

    Is it covered by my policy?

  14. 14

    Le montant de la franchise est de combien ?

    How much is the excess?

  15. 15

    Quand est-ce que je serai indemnisé ?

    When will I be compensated?

  16. 16

    Je voudrais une confirmation par écrit.

    I'd like confirmation in writing.

  17. 17

    Votre assureur s'occupe de tout avec le sien.

    Your insurer sorts it all out with theirs.

  18. 18

    Voici mon numéro de dossier.

    Here's my claim reference.

  19. 19

    La proposition me paraît trop basse.

    The offer seems too low to me.

  20. 20

    Pourriez-vous me passer le service sinistres ?

    Could you put me through to the claims department?