Secure your construction project before the first claim ever happens.
Building defects insurance protects the project owner by enabling fast compensation for damage falling within the scope of the ten-year decennial guarantee, without waiting for a court to determine liability.
What is building defects insurance?
Building defects insurance is a form of construction insurance created under the Spinetta law. It allows the property owner or project owner to be compensated quickly in the event of serious defects, damage or a claim affecting the works.
It covers damage that compromises the structural integrity of the building or makes it unfit for its intended purpose. Its key benefit is simple: it starts the handling of the file and the compensation process without waiting for the liability of the builder or other constructors to be definitively established.
In practical terms, the building defects insurer pre-finances the repairs, then later takes the necessary action against the decennial insurers of the companies involved.
Insurance designed to save time
When a claim arises after the handover of the works, the project owner submits a declaration. The insurer reviews the file, appoints an expert if necessary and organises a compensation proposal within the deadlines set by the insurance code.
This system helps avoid a long legal dispute before remedial work can begin. It is a real form of financial protection and security.
Is building defects insurance mandatory?
Yes. In many cases, taking out building defects insurance is a legal obligation for the project owner.
- Construction of a detached house;
- A major extension to a property;
- Heavy renovation works affecting the structure;
- A project carried out by a private client, a company or a professional;
- A site intended for retention, rental or resale.
The insurance must be taken out before the opening of the construction site. This is a crucial point. Once the works have started, obtaining cover usually becomes far more difficult.
What are the risks if you do not have building defects insurance?
In the absence of building defects insurance:
- You may have to fund the first repairs yourself;
- Resolving the dispute may take a long time;
- The resale of the property may become more complicated;
- A future buyer may ask for additional guarantees;
- Your property project may lose value and attractiveness.
For a property owner, it is therefore both a practical and financial protection tool.
A concrete advantage for the owner
Building defects insurance protects the private client, the owner and anyone having construction works carried out. It avoids waiting years before serious defects can be repaired.
A clear framework for companies
For builders and companies, building defects insurance complements the decennial guarantee system and helps claims be handled quickly without unnecessarily blocking the file.
Useful security in case of resale
When a property is resold, the existence of building defects insurance reassures the buyer. It proves that the project was properly structured and that a route for compensation exists if covered damage appears.
How much does building defects insurance cost?
The quote depends on several factors. There is no single flat rate, but rather specific criteria that affect the premium.
- The nature of the construction or renovation project;
- The total value of the works;
- The type of structure and technical complexity;
- The profile of the project owner;
- The quality of the contractors and their decennial guarantees;
- The expected start date of the site;
- The level of documentation provided at the time of subscription.
The best approach is to request a personalised building defects insurance quote with a complete file.
The right time to take out cover
You must take out building defects insurance before the opening of the construction site. This is one of the most important points in the whole process.
The earlier you prepare it, the easier it is to obtain a policy, a fair premium and fast validation of the file.
How do you report a building defects claim?
In the event of a claim, you need to send a declaration to the insurer including useful details:
- Date when the damage was first identified;
- Description of the defects or damage;
- Date of handover of the works;
- Photos, reports or repair estimates;
- Policy and project references.
A clear declaration makes the file easier to manage and speeds up compensation.
FAQ – Building Defects Insurance
Building defects insurance must be taken out before the construction site opens. Waiting until works have started makes the process much more difficult and may result in a refusal by the insurer.
In the absence of building defects insurance, the project owner may have to fund the first repairs, face longer delays in the event of a dispute and encounter difficulties when reselling the property.
The building defects insurer provides compensation for covered decennial damage without waiting for a court decision on liability. The insurer can later recover the sums from the constructors’ decennial insurers.
The cost depends on the value of the works, the type of structure, the nature of the site, the profile of the project owner and the technical quality of the file. A personalised quote remains the best approach.
You must send a declaration to the insurer with a description of the damage, the handover date, supporting evidence, any repair estimates and the policy references. A well-prepared file improves handling and speeds up the process.
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