Decennial insurance for masons: structural work, foundations and walls
A mason works on what holds a building up: foundations, load-bearing walls, slabs and floors. This work falls squarely under the French decennial guarantee. Lev Assurances helps you declare the right activities and obtain a certificate that matches your projects.
- General masonry and structural work
- Sole traders, tradespeople and companies
- Certificate to attach to your quotes
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Masonry activities to declare carefully
- Foundations and substructure
- Load-bearing walls, slabs and floors
- Openings in load-bearing walls
- Minor masonry and renders
- Demolition linked to the works
Why decennial cover matters for masons
Articles 1792 et seq. of the French Civil Code make builders liable for ten years for damage that compromises the soundness of the structure or makes it unfit for purpose. For a mason, structural cracks, foundation settlement or a missing tie beam typically fall into this scope. Decennial liability insurance is therefore compulsory before any work starts.
Insurers classify trades using an activity nomenclature. “Masonry and reinforced concrete” does not automatically include carpentry, waterproofing or special foundation works. Declaring exactly what you do prevents a claim from being refused because the activity was not covered. See our page on covered activities and exclusions.
The premium depends on your turnover, experience, claims history and declared activities. Structural work is among the most exposed trades, so comparing contracts is worthwhile. The criteria are explained on our decennial insurance cost page.
Also consider professional liability, which covers damage to third parties during the works (falling materials, damage next door), and your certificate, which French law requires you to attach to quotes and invoices.
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.
Covered activities and exclusions
Why declared activities determine what is covered.
Dommages-ouvrage insurance
The project owner’s insurance, complementary to decennial cover.
How we review your decennial insurance
Specify your structural work
Foundations, load-bearing walls, slabs, openings and underpinning: each activity is listed, with the share of new build and renovation.
Prove your masonry experience
Qualification (CAP or BP in masonry) or proven experience, business registration, previous certificates and claims history if any.
Review cover and excesses
Limits, excesses and exclusions (work on existing buildings, non-standard techniques) are reviewed with you before you sign.
Receive your certificate
If accepted and the policy is taken out, the certificate listing the insured activities must be attached to your quotes and invoices, in line with Article L. 243-2 of the French Insurance Code.
Let’s review your decennial insurance as a mason
Describe your structural work, your experience and your turnover: Lev Assurances reviews your file and, if an insurer accepts it, supports you through to the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Must a mason have decennial insurance in France?
Yes. Every builder, including a micro-entrepreneur, must hold decennial liability insurance before work starts (article L241-1 of the French Insurance Code).
What is covered for a mason?
Damage that compromises the soundness of the structure or makes it unfit for purpose, within the declared activities: structural cracks, slab subsidence or foundation defects, for example.
Is opening a load-bearing wall covered?
Only if the corresponding activity is declared and good practice is followed (engineering study, propping, underpinning where needed). Check your contract before such work.
Is underpinning a separate activity?
With many insurers, underpinning and special foundations must be declared separately, sometimes under conditions (prior engineering study, qualification). Declare them explicitly if you carry them out.
Is a mason who also lays tiles covered?
Only if tiling is declared in the policy. An undeclared secondary activity may not be covered: list all the work you actually carry out.
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).