Decennial insurance: covered activities, exclusions and limits
Decennial insurance only covers the activities declared in the contract. Work carried out outside these activities, or beyond the limits set, may not be covered. Lev Assurances helps you align your contract with your real work.
- Declared activities = covered activities
- Exclusions and limits to know
- A contract matched to your real projects
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The three guarantees after handover
- Completion guarantee: 1 year
- Proper functioning: 2 years
- Decennial guarantee: 10 years
What the decennial guarantee covers
The decennial guarantee covers, for ten years after handover, damage that compromises the soundness of the structure or makes it unfit for purpose, as well as damage affecting the soundness of inseparable equipment (article 1792 of the French Civil Code). It differs from the completion guarantee (one year) and the proper-functioning guarantee for removable equipment (two years).
Insurers use a construction activity nomenclature. Each declared activity has a precise scope: “masonry” does not include “carpentry”, “roofing” does not include “flat-roof waterproofing”. If a claim concerns an undeclared activity, the insurer may refuse cover. Our trade pages explain these points: masons, roofers, plumbers, electricians.
Contracts also contain exclusions and limits: damage from normal wear, lack of maintenance, external causes, or projects above a maximum cost. Non-standard techniques (innovative methods outside recognised good practice) are often excluded or subject to prior approval.
To avoid surprises: declare all the activities you actually carry out, report new activities before starting them, and check that your certificate lists them.
More about decennial insurance
Construction insurance
Overview of construction insurance in France: decennial, dommages-ouvrage, professional liability.
Decennial liability (BTP)
Our main page on decennial insurance for construction professionals.
Decennial certificate
What the certificate must contain and when to give it to the client.
Dommages-ouvrage insurance
The project owner’s insurance, complementary to decennial cover.
Decennial insurance for a new business
Getting insured before your first job when you start out.
How we review your decennial insurance
Describe your activity
Your trade, techniques, turnover and share of subcontracting help target the right covers.
Gather your documents
Business registration, qualifications or proof of experience, previous certificates and claims history if any.
Review the offers
Covered activities, limits, excesses and exclusions are reviewed with you before signing.
Receive your certificate
Once the contract is in force, the decennial certificate can be attached to your quotes and invoices.
Let’s review your decennial insurance
Tell us about your activity, your experience and your projects: Lev Assurances reviews your file, looks for available solutions and, if an insurer accepts, supports you until you receive your certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Does decennial insurance cover all my activities?
No: only the activities declared in the contract and shown on the certificate.
What if I carry out an undeclared activity?
If a claim arises, the insurer may refuse cover for that activity, and you remain personally liable.
What are the usual exclusions?
Normal wear, lack of maintenance, external causes, non-standard techniques not accepted, projects above the maximum cost set.
What is the difference between the decennial and two-year guarantees?
The two-year guarantee (proper functioning) concerns removable equipment; the decennial guarantee (10 years) concerns the soundness and purpose of the structure.
How do I adjust my contract?
Review your real activities with us: quote page or +33 1 41 81 60 94.
Decennial insurance suited to your trade
Decennial insurance is chosen according to the activities you actually carry out, your experience and your projects. Lev Assurances helps you declare the right activities and understand your contract — Lev Assurances, broker registered with ORIAS no. 24001858, supervised by the ACPR (French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority).