# Cracks and Home Insurance – What Does Your Policy Really Cover?

> Find out what your home insurance really covers for cracks - drought claims, structural defects, water damage. Get expert advice. Call 04 22 46 06 04.

- URL : https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/cracks-home-insurance-what-your-policy-covers/
- Langue : en-US
- Mis à jour : 2026-11-02
- Site : Cassini Expertise (https://cassini-expertise.fr/)

{“@context”: “https://schema.org”, “@type”: “FAQPage”, “mainEntity”: [{“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “How do I know if a crack is dangerous?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “A through-crack (visible on both sides of the wall), wider than 2 mm, or a stepped crack starting from a window corner is potentially structural. An expert measures the opening with a crack gauge and analyses the pattern to determine the cause.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “My cracks open in summer and close in winter: is this serious?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “This is typical of clay shrink-swell movement caused by drought. The soil swells with moisture and shrinks during dry spells. This cyclical movement can progressively damage foundations. Document it with dated photos and crack-gauge monitoring.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “My insurer refuses to cover my cracks: what should I do?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “If your municipality has been officially declared a natural drought disaster area, you are entitled to compensation. An independent expert can document the link between the drought and your cracks with measurements and a legally admissible report.”}}, {“@type”: “Question”, “name”: “Can I fill in a crack myself?”, “acceptedAnswer”: {“@type”: “Answer”, “text”: “Not before identifying the cause. Filling it in only hides the problem without solving it. If the crack is still moving, it will reopen. An expert first determines whether the crack is active or old, structural or cosmetic, then advises you accordingly.”}}]}

Does your **home insurance** cover cracks? The answer depends on the cause of the damage and the type of policy you hold. Here’s what you need to know so you don’t miss out on your rights.

## The different scenarios

![cracks and home insurance what does your policy cover - Cassini Expertise](https://cassini-expertise.fr/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/vefa-antibes.webp)

*Cassini Expertise – independent building expert*

- **Natural disaster (drought) cover:** If your municipality has been declared a natural disaster area, your home insurance covers the damage, subject to the statutory excess (€1,520).
- **10-year builder’s warranty:** Structural cracks are covered by the builder’s [10-year warranty](https://cassini-expertise.fr/expertise-vefa-06-83/), not by your home insurance.
- **[Inherent defects (Dommages-Ouvrage) insurance](https://cassini-expertise.fr/expertise-dommages-ouvrage-06-83/):** This policy provides rapid compensation for damage covered under the 10-year warranty, then recovers the cost from the builder.
- **Accidental damage / water damage cover:** A crack causing water infiltration may be covered under water damage provisions.

## What to do if you find cracks

1. Report the claim to your insurer immediately
2. Keep photos and videos showing how the cracks develop
3. Have an expert install crack-gauge monitoring
4. Check whether your municipality has been declared a natural disaster area
5. If your claim is refused, request an [independent counter-expert assessment](https://cassini-expertise.fr/contre-expertise-batiment-06-83/)

## Read your policy’s exclusions carefully

Comprehensive home insurance policies almost always include an exclusion clause for **lack of maintenance** or **pre-existing construction defects** dating from before the policy was taken out. This is the most common reason insurers give for refusing claims, so it’s essential to document the property’s condition (photos, surveys) from the moment you buy or move in, so you can prove the cracks appeared after – not before – the start of cover.

## The role of your broker or agent in a dispute

Before formally disputing a decision, it can help to contact your insurance broker or agent, who has a duty to advise you and can sometimes intervene internally with the claims department to have a file reviewed – a step that’s often free and quick, and shouldn’t be overlooked before commissioning a formal second-opinion expert assessment.

## Legal protection cover: an under-used lever

Many home insurance policies include legal protection cover, which can fund all or part of a lawyer’s and an expert’s fees in a dispute with the insurer itself or with a third party (builder, neighbour). Checking this cover before incurring any costs is a step that’s often forgotten but can be well worth it.

## FAQ

**Should I stop repair work while waiting for the expert assessment?** Yes, as far as possible: carrying out work before the expert’s visit can be seen as destroying evidence and may complicate your compensation claim, except for emergency measures needed to prevent the situation worsening (danger, active infiltration).

**Is a refusal to pay out final?** No: an initial refusal never rules out a new claim backed by additional technical evidence (second-opinion expert assessment, crack-gauge monitoring, a new natural disaster declaration).

**Cassini Expertise** – Independent building expert, Alpes-Maritimes (06) & Var (83).

📅 **Updated on 10 August 2024** – By **Cassini Expertise**, independent building expert covering the Alpes-Maritimes & Var. Free quote: [04 22 46 06 04](tel:+33422460604).

**Read more:**

- [Structural cracks in Nice homes: concrete stress calculation to standard](https://cassini-expertise.fr/fissures-structurelles-maison-calcul-contrainte-beton-nice/)
- [Pre-purchase crack survey: the building expert’s checklist](https://cassini-expertise.fr/audit-fissures-avant-achat-maison-en-vente-checklist/)
- [Cracks 2026: Building Expertise in the Alpes-Maritimes](https://cassini-expertise.fr/fissures-2026-expertise-batiment-dans-les-alpes-maritimes/)

## Frequently asked questions

### Are cracks covered by home insurance?

Yes, if they result from a covered event such as a natural disaster (drought, flooding). Progressive damage or damage linked to a construction defect is not covered by a standard home insurance policy.

### What should I do if my insurer refuses to cover cracks?

Check the terms of your policy and the natural disaster declaration. If the refusal seems unjustified, contact the insurance ombudsman or take the matter to court. Also call in an expert to assess the causes.

### How do I report cracks to my home insurer?

Report the claim in writing (registered letter) within 5 working days of noticing the damage. Attach photos, invoices and any documents proving the cause. For a natural disaster claim, you have 30 days after the official decree is published. This legal requirement is set out in Blog L.125-1 to L.125-6 of the French Insurance Code, which govern the deadlines and procedures for reporting claims.

---
Source : https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/cracks-home-insurance-what-your-policy-covers/