Mortgage insurance in France for non-residents: medical questionnaire, cover and how to choose

If you are buying property in France with a mortgage, you will quickly meet a term that surprises many international buyers: assurance emprunteur, or borrower insurance. In most cases it is a condition of the loan, and it can represent a significant part of the total cost of borrowing.

I am Audrey Hurelle, an independent mortgage broker on the French Riviera. Here is what non-residents need to know before applying.

1. What borrower insurance covers

• Death: the outstanding loan is repaid to the bank.
• Permanent and total disability: the loan is covered if you can no longer work at all.
• Temporary incapacity to work: for some profiles and some loans, monthly repayments are covered during a period of sick leave.
• The level of cover required depends on the bank, your age, the purpose of the purchase (main home, holiday home, rental) and whether you are borrowing alone or as a couple.

Insurers ask you to complete a medical questionnaire. Depending on your age and the amount borrowed, they may also request medical tests. Answer accurately: a false declaration can void the cover when you need it most.

Practical tip for non-residents: medical tests can often be carried out in your country of residence, but the reports may need to be translated. Starting early avoids delaying the loan offer.

3. The bank's insurance or an external policy

You are free to choose an insurer other than the bank's group policy, as long as the cover is equivalent to what the bank requires. External policies are often cheaper, especially for younger borrowers. A broker compares both options and checks that the cover matches the bank's requirements.

4. Points that matter for international buyers

• Not every insurer accepts borrowers living outside France: the choice is narrower, so it pays to compare.
• Some sports or professions (frequent flying, diving, hazardous jobs) may lead to exclusions or extra premiums.
• Check how a claim is handled if you fall ill abroad.
• Couples can split the cover between them (for example 50% each, or 100% each for maximum protection).

5. How a broker helps

As your broker, I handle the loan and the insurance together, so the two are approved on the same timeline. Non-resident brokerage fees are 2% of the loan, with a minimum of €4,500. You will find more details on the non-residents page of this website.

Frequently asked questions

Is borrower insurance mandatory in France?

It is not legally mandatory, but almost all banks require it to grant a mortgage.

Can I keep my insurance from my home country?

Rarely. Foreign life policies are generally not accepted as a guarantee, unless the bank agrees to assign them, which is uncommon.

Planning to buy on the French Riviera? Book a free call in English and we will review your project and insurance options together.