Insurance: obligations your insurer doesn't mention
Deductibles, exclusions, claim deadlines.
Your home insurance costs €35/month. You think you're covered.
Then a claim occurs. And you discover your deductible is €800. That the declaration deadline was 5 days — already passed. That the damage isn't covered by your plan.
Most policyholders are unaware of the exact exclusions in their contract.
This guide reveals the 6 most commonly ignored obligations and how to check them before it's too late.
1. The claim declaration deadline
What the contract says
"The insured must declare any claim within 5 business days."
Why it's critical
After this deadline, the insurer can:
- Reduce the compensation
- Refuse full reimbursement
- Invoke a coverage forfeiture
Legal deadlines
| Claim type | Legal deadline |
|---|---|
| Water damage, fire | 5 business days |
| Theft, burglary | 2 business days |
| Natural disaster | 10 days after decree |
| Hail, storm | 5 business days |
What to check
- Does the contract respect the legal deadlines (not less)?
- Are the days business or calendar days?
- Can the declaration be made online or only by registered letter?
2. Multiple deductibles
What the contract says
"Deductible: €150" (in large print) "Theft deductible: €300. Glass breakage deductible: €200. Natural disaster deductible: €380." (in small print)
Why it's a trap
You think you have one €150 deductible. In reality, each type of claim has its own deductible.
Rate comparison
A contract at €30/month with a €300 deductible costs you more than a contract at €38/month with a €150 deductible if you have one claim per year.
subblink automatically compares your monthly rate with the market average for your country and contract type.
3. Coverage exclusions
The most common exclusions
- Poor maintenance: unserviced boiler → uncovered damage
- Negligence: open window during a storm → refusal
- Professional activity: damage related to working from home → exclusion
- Animals: damage caused by your pets → depends on plan
- Declared value: unlisted items above a cap
How to identify them
Exclusions are listed in the General Conditions (GC), not in the Special Conditions (SC).
Nobody reads the GC. subblink does it for you.
4. Auto-renewal and cancellation
What the law says
Since the Hamon law (2015), you can cancel your insurance:
- At any time after the 1st year
- Without fees, without justification
- Effective within 1 month of notification
The trap
Some contracts still include renewal clauses with 2-3 month notice periods — illegal for individuals since the Hamon law.
What to check
- Does your contract mention the Hamon law?
- Is the cancellation notice compliant (1 month maximum)?
- Can you cancel online?
5. Underinsurance and the proportional rule
The problem
You declare a personal property value of €20,000. In reality, your belongings are worth €40,000.
In case of a claim, the insurer applies the proportional rule:
- Claim of €10,000
- Compensation = €10,000 × (€20,000 / €40,000) = €5,000
You receive only half.
How to protect yourself
- Reassess your capital every year
- Keep receipts for your valuable items
- Choose a replacement value plan if available
6. Compensation caps per item
What the contract says
"Jewelry cap: €1,500. Electronics cap: €2,000. Valuables cap: €3,000."
Why it's a trap
Your MacBook is worth €2,500. Electronics cap: €2,000. You lose €500 out of pocket.
What to check
- Caps per category of item
- Global cap per claim
- Possibility of raising caps (premium increase)
Insurance checklist
- Declaration deadlines meet legal minimums
- Deductibles detailed by claim type
- Exclusions read and understood
- Cancellation compliant with Hamon law (after 1 year, no fees)
- Capital declared matches actual value
- Caps sufficient for your main assets
- Rate compared to market average
FAQ: Insurance contracts
Can my insurer refuse a claim for late declaration?
Yes, if the delay caused them prejudice (inability to assess the damage). But the burden of proof is on the insurer.
Is the deductible negotiable?
Yes. A higher deductible = lower premium. Adjust based on your capacity to absorb a claim without compensation.
Can I change insurance mid-year?
Yes, after the 1st year (Hamon law). Your new insurer can handle the cancellation for you.
Does subblink analyze general conditions?
Yes. The AI analyzes the complete document, including the GC. The report identifies exclusions, deductibles and obligations often hidden in annexes.
Conclusion
Your insurance contract contains more obligations than you think. Ignoring them can cost you thousands of euros when a claim occurs.
2 minutes of analysis now. Thousands of euros protected tomorrow.