We recently arranged to rent an apartment for several days in Dijon. The renter said that we should check our personal insurance to verify that we are well insured to rent an appartment for holidays. Could someone comment on the significance of this? We have rented apartments before in Italy and were never asked about insurance. Is there something special that our homeowners insurance would not cover?

We've rented about 50 Gites in France, 2 different Apts in Paris, and apt in St Tropez, an apt in Rome & have never purchased insurance that is similar to homeowner's insurance.

My wife's father in law is 89, & a few years ago we started purchasing Gite cancellation insurance. We examined cancellation insurance for a Paris Perfect apt we rented last Sept/Oct & decided that it did not make financiial sense.

Joan Grace (Gracejoan2) has purchased medical evac. insurance, I believe. She should be back home from Paris today.

However, we've never incountered any "incidences" where we might have needed insurance. I believe one of our credit cards has some evac. travel insurance - but not 100% sure.

Stu Dudley

I think Stu is thinking of medical insurance, and I imagine the owner is referring to liability insurance or insurance that would cover something in the property if you damaged it or even your own belongings, perhaps, if they were somehow stolen or damaged. I had to purchase rental insurance from a French agent when I rented an apt. in Paris, the owner required it, and it was not expensive so was the easiest thing for me (it only cost me 30 euro). You'd have to ask your insurance agent if your insurance would cover it. France has some laws about that, actually, and the code was cited to me in my contract as to my requirements.

I mentioned medical & cancellation insurance as a "side note" - because they're the only types of insurance that has ever been suggested to us by owners of properties.

Neither Gites-de-France, Paris Perfect, "Home in Italy" (I think that's the name), or the USA based person renting us his apt in the 15th - have ever suggested/required insurance. Large "deposit" - yes - but never "homeowners" insurance.

Stu Dudley

I discussed the insurance thing last Sat. when I spent the day with my French friends in Sancerre area. They have beautiful places in Alsace. A friend has rented one in Oct. and asked me to ask him about the insurance that was in the contract. I was told that it is French law. He said she needed nothing. Forget it. You will also find that your homeowners or umbrella liability would also cover this.

I do purchase medical and med. evaculation insurance. The website www.insuremytrip.com is a good site to pick and choose whatever you want and compare different policies.

Joan

We were asked to provide insuranace when we rented in Paris. We had several emails between us and the owner. She seemed to think our Australian household cover would cover us in her apartment on Paris. We explained it would not. She eventually waived the clause.