Liability insurance in France: professionals, construction and buildings
Liability insurance protects you when your liability is engaged following damage caused to third parties. Depending on your business, your sector or whether you are an owner or a managing agent, several types of civil liability need to be distinguished.
- Professionals and companies
- Construction and decennial liability
- Owners and managing agents
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Which liability cover for your situation?
- I run a business: professional liability
- I build or renovate: decennial liability
- I own or manage a building: building liability
- I also protect my premises: multi-risk
Telling apart the different types of civil liability
General (operating) liability covers damage caused to third parties in the day-to-day running of the business (a customer slipping in your premises, for example), while professional liability covers the consequences of errors, omissions or faults made when delivering a service. Professional liability insurance is reviewed according to your activity and the risks you face.
In construction, decennial liability follows a specific regime. Decennial liability insurance covers construction professionals for defects falling under the decennial guarantee. It is not the same as standard professional liability: the two complement each other. Our construction insurance guide explains how they fit with dommages-ouvrage.
Civil liability also concerns property. Building liability for owners and managing agents covers risks linked to ownership or building management, including common areas. It works alongside the other insurance for the property, presented on our property insurance page.
Some regulated professions are subject to a compulsory liability insurance requirement under the rules governing their activity. You should therefore check the obligations specific to your profession rather than assume the same regime applies to every trade. To also protect your premises and equipment, multi-risk insurance can complete your cover.
Liability solutions and related covers
Professional liability
Professional liability covers damage caused to third parties through your business and your services.
Decennial liability (BTP)
Compulsory insurance for construction professionals covering decennial-type defects in their work.
Building liability: owner and managing agent
The liability of a building owner or managing agent for damage linked to the building or its management.
Business multi-risk
A contract that can combine civil liability with protection of premises and professional equipment.
Industrial multi-risk
Protection of an industrial company’s buildings, equipment and operating risks.
Construction insurance
Our guide to how decennial liability, dommages-ouvrage and professional liability fit together on a building site.
How to choose your liability insurance
Describe your business
Services, clients, premises and interventions help identify the liabilities you are exposed to.
Identify your obligations
Some professions are subject to compulsory insurance, which must be checked for your situation.
Tell the covers apart
General liability, professional liability, decennial and building liability do not cover the same events.
Check the contract
Declared activities, limits, excesses and exclusions must match the reality of your business.
Review your liability insurance
Want to check the right covers for your business, your company or your building? Tell us about your situation: the firm will review your needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between general liability and professional liability?
General liability covers damage arising from the day-to-day running of the business. Professional liability covers damage resulting from delivering a service or a professional fault, depending on the contract.
Does professional liability cover decennial liability?
No. Decennial liability follows a regime specific to construction and requires a dedicated contract, separate from professional liability.
What is building liability for owners and managing agents for?
It covers the liability of a building owner or managing agent when the building or its management causes damage to a third party.
Must every profession take out professional liability insurance?
No. Some regulated professions are required to; for others it remains strongly advisable depending on the risks of the activity and your clients’ requirements.
Does business multi-risk insurance include civil liability?
Often, but not always. Whether liability covers are included, and to what extent, depends on the contract and must be checked.
How do I request a quote?
Describe your business, your services and your current contracts on the quote page, or call +33 1 41 81 60 94.
Liability cover suited to your business
Civil liability is reviewed according to your activity, your obligations and the risks you face. Lev Assurances helps you tell the covers apart and identify those that concern you — Lev Assurances, broker registered with ORIAS no. 24001858, supervised by the ACPR (French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority).