We are renting an apartment in Provence for 4 nights, and the owner is asking us to obtain insurance to cover the apartment during our stay. Apparently this is common in Europe? I've asked my homeowners insurance company about this, and they don't cover overseas. I've looked at travel insurance sites, but don't see any mention of this kind of coverage. Anyone have experience with this?

Never heard before... definitely not common in "Europe", at least not here in Italy nor Spain as far as I know.
I'm interested in reading other people's replies.

I recall that this topic has come up at least once before, but can't find the link. However, as Giulia says, this is not common.

As Marian says, we already had a discussion about Vacation rental insurance, also in the France forum, but it was pretty inconclusive.

I wonder if Paolo de Paolis, who initiated the topic, would have arrived at any conclusion since November 2005.

Or if members have any new suggestions.

This has come up twice before on the Board, from people seeking to rent in France. This thread and this earlier one may prove helpful.

{{On edit--Hi, Doru! }}

In all honesty, I'd be looking at other rentals.

no way. NOT common. Is it your only choice??? Seems odd. I use a company called Intasure (http://ww.intasure.co.uk/)to insure my vacation home in Italy...i guess if you REALLY want to stay there, you could ask them if they would be able to write something temp. up?? They are in the UK, but will insure US residents as well. (still...don't know...I have only heard of ownerds getting insurance to cover vacation rentals. I have asked long-term temants here in the US to have "rentor's coverage", but that doesn't apply to short-term vacations home guests!)

I'd look elsewhere also. That request for insurance for a 4 night stay seems like a hotel asking you to provide insurance for the room you are renting. ????

Bill

I again called my insurance company, and explained my situation again, and prodded them to look into how my personal liability might cover me. It turns out that yes, I am covered anywhere in the world for any damages done while renting an apartment.
Thanks for everyone's feedback!

Nevre heard of this before, and I used to have my own rental company in France and have worked for several villa rental companies in Spain. In almost 20 years in the industry this is a first.

In essence - it suggests to me that the owner does not have insurance (as all reputable owners would have).

My advice - stay well clear and book another rental.

Michael

I recently booked two apartments in France. Here is what one of the contracts said regarding insurance:

quote:

The lessor [that's the owner of the apartment] insures the housing against all the rent risks with regards to the lessee . The lessee must inform, within 24 hours, of any disasters wich may have happened in the house or annexes.

The other one said this:

quote:

Please make sure you have adequate holiday insurance for cancellation, accidents, hospitalisation and return home. The owner does not carry personal accident liability, and this is an explicit condition of this rental agreement.

In neither case does it appear that the renter would be responsible for insuring the apartment itself, and I agree that this would be a very strange requirement.

- Roz

Exactly, if the owner wants insurance he should insure his own apartment. There are some insurance types where you can cover the damages produced by you to somebody else's property. One of my dearest friends has it since he is known for being clumsy and breaking windows...

Other than that, you should actually ask the owner if he has an insurance that covers you in case you hurt yourself in his apartment!