When you decide to open a rural gîte or a bed and breakfast, you are not only changing the purpose of your accommodation. You are also changing your status in the eyes of your insurer. Indeed, welcoming travelers involves specific responsibilities, both legally and financially. Thus, a standard home insurance policy is generally not sufficient to cover the risks associated with a tourist accommodation activity. In the following, we provide you with all the essential information on the differences between these guarantees so that you can avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of a claim.
A traditional home insurance policy protects your primary or secondary residence in a strictly private context. It covers, for example, water damage, fire, or burglaries. However, it often excludes professional or lucrative activities carried out within your home.
Yet, as soon as you rent out part of your property to travelers, you are engaging in an income-generating activity. Even if it remains occasional, this activity changes the nature of the insured risk. Your standard contract may then refuse to compensate for a loss that occurs during a client's stay.
Certain packages, such as MAAF home insurance, may offer options adapted to seasonal rentals. However, it is essential to explicitly declare your activity to your insurer. Failing to do so exposes you to a reduction, or even a refusal, of compensation.
Furthermore, the civil liability included in classic insurance protects your private life. It does not always cover damage suffered by paying customers. If a guest falls down the stairs or gets burned by defective equipment, your liability may be engaged professionally. This nuance is decisive.
Unlike a standard contract, insurance for tourist accommodation takes into account the regular presence of third parties. It therefore includes professional civil liability. This guarantee covers physical, material, or immaterial damage caused to travelers within the framework of your activity.
The gîte insurance also provides reinforced protection for the furniture and equipment you make available to clients. Indeed, wear and tear is faster and the risks of degradation are higher than in strictly private use. Insurers therefore adapt the compensation ceilings and conditions.
Furthermore, certain guarantees cover business interruption. If a claim makes your accommodation unusable for several weeks, you suffer a loss of income. A specific contract can compensate for this loss of earnings, which a classic home insurance policy generally does not provide for.
Although often confused, the rural gîte and the bed and breakfast follow different logics. In a gîte, you rent an independent accommodation, generally for a fixed period. The occupants have full autonomy over the property.
However, a bed and breakfast implies that you reside on-site and provide certain services, such as breakfast. This proximity creates a more direct link with the customers. It can also increase your liability in the event of an incident.
These differences influence the risk analysis by the insurer. In the context of a bed and breakfast, the movement of clients within your personal home increases interactions. Conversely, an independent gîte is more exposed to material damage.
You must therefore choose a contract that corresponds precisely to your operating method. If you make an incomplete declaration, it could be assimilated to a false statement. This risks leading to heavy consequences in the event of a claim.
The activity of furnished tourist rentals is regulated by law. You must declare your furnished tourist accommodation to the town hall and respect certain safety and decency standards.
Even if the law does not always impose specific insurance, it makes you responsible for damage caused to your guests. In the event of an accident, your civil liability can be challenged in civil courts.
In addition, some booking platforms offer you partial coverage. However, these protections remain limited and do not replace a full insurance contract. It is therefore prudent to take out dedicated insurance, even if you go through an online intermediary.
Before taking out insurance for your tourist accommodation, it is essential that you analyze your activity. Several elements such as the type of rental (occasional or regular), additional services, the capacity of your property, and others directly influence the risk level and therefore the type of contract to prioritize. Consider them before making your choice.
Next, carefully compare the guarantees. Check the compensation ceilings, deductibles, and especially the presence of professional civil liability as well as a business interruption guarantee. Finally, communicate clearly with your insurer. A transparent declaration of your activity avoids any dispute in the event of a claim. By adapting your contract to the reality of your project, you provide long-term protection for your property and your income.
