# 10-Year Warranty France: DO Insurance Explained (2026 Guide)

> 10-year warranty and dommages-ouvrage insurance in France, explained in English: who pays for serious defects, the deadlines, and how to claim.

- URL : https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/decennial-warranty-dommages-ouvrage-insurance/
- Langue : en-US
- Mis à jour : 2026-11-05
- Site : Cassini Expertise (https://cassini-expertise.fr/)

The 10-year structural warranty ([garantie décennale](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F2034)) and dommages-ouvrage (DO) insurance are the two pillars protecting the property owner in the event of a serious [construction defect](https://cassini-expertise.fr/contre-expertise-batiment-06-83/). Understanding how they work is essential for reacting quickly and effectively to construction defects in the Alpes-Maritimes (06), Var (83) and Bouches-du-Rhône (13). This guide explains the 10-year warranty in France in plain English: what it covers, who pays first, and the deadlines you cannot afford to miss.

## The legal basis: Article 1792 of the French Civil Code

![decennial warranty and dommages-ouvrage insurance the compensation mechanism for construction defects - Cassini Expertise](https://cassini-expertise.fr/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/fissures-mur.webp)

*Cassini Expertise – independent building expert*

[Article 1792](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000006443502) establishes **strict liability** for builders for **10 years** from the handover of the works, for damage that:

- **Compromises the structural integrity** of the building (structural [cracks](https://cassini-expertise.fr/diagnostic-fissures-rga-06-83/), floor subsidence, partial collapse);
- **Renders the building unfit for its intended purpose** (infiltrations making a home uninhabitable, defective roof waterproofing);
- Affects the soundness of **equipment permanently built into the structure** (embedded pipework, underfloor heating).

The ten-year warranty does not cover purely cosmetic defects or malfunction issues, which fall under the one-year completion warranty and the biennial warranty on fittings.

## Dommages-ouvrage (DO) insurance

Dommages-ouvrage insurance, taken out by the property owner before work begins on site, allows for **fast compensation without waiting for liability to be established**. When a claim falls under the decennial warranty, the DO insurer **pre-finances the repairs** and then seeks reimbursement from the liable builders. This is the “pre-financing” principle: you are compensated quickly, and the insurer then handles recovery from those responsible.

## Deadlines you must not miss

- **Reporting the claim**: as soon as the defect appears, by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt to the DO insurer.
- **Insurer’s response deadline**: the insurer has **60 days** to notify its position on whether cover applies.
- **Compensation deadline**: 90 days after notifying acceptance to make a compensation offer.
- **Insurer’s recovery action**: once subrogated to your rights, the insurer can pursue the builders within the decennial time limits.

## The building expert’s role in a DO claim

An independent building expert plays a key role: establishing an **objective technical assessment** of the defects (nature, extent, severity), determining whether they fall under the decennial warranty (structural soundness or unfitness for purpose), and **costing the repair works**. Facing the expert appointed by the insurer, having your own technical expertise is the best way to assert your rights and avoid being under-compensated. In the event of a dispute, the independent expert’s report will support any subsequent [court-supervised expert assessment](https://cassini-expertise.fr/accompagnement-avocats-expertise-06-83/).

## Common cases in the Alpes-Maritimes and Var

- Structural cracks linked to clay-shrinkage subsidence (RGA): the decennial warranty applies if structural soundness is compromised; DO insurance steps in to pre-finance repairs without waiting for the outcome of claims against the builder.
- Roof-terrace infiltrations: unfitness for purpose, covered by DO insurance if they occur after handover and stem from a construction defect.
- Slab or foundation subsidence: structural soundness compromised, covered by the decennial warranty and compensable through DO insurance.
- [Off-plan purchase (VEFA)](https://cassini-expertise.fr/expertise-vefa-06-83/) defects not resolved within the first year: may shift from the completion warranty to the ten-year warranty if the defect worsens.

## Further reading

- [Off-plan handover: the complete checklist of reservations to raise (06, 83 and 13)](https://cassini-expertise.fr/reception-vefa-la-checklist-complete-des-reserves-a-formuler-06-et-83/)
- [Construction defects found mid-build: stop, document, act](https://cassini-expertise.fr/malfacons-decouvertes-en-cours-de-chantier-stopper-constater-agir/)
- [Hidden defects in a property sale: the Article 1641 warranty](https://cassini-expertise.fr/article-1641-code-civil-garantie-vices-caches/)

📅 **Updated on 26/07/2026** – By **Cassini Expertise**, independent building expert serving the Alpes-Maritimes (06) & Var (83). Free quote: [04 22 46 06 04](tel:+33422460604).

**Further reading:**

- [Insurance counter-expertise: when the insurer’s expert undervalues the damage](https://cassini-expertise.fr/contre-expertise-assurance-expert-assureur-sous-evalue/)
- [Dommages-ouvrage insurance 2026: obligations and expertise in the Alpes-Maritimes](https://cassini-expertise.fr/assurance-dommages-ouvrage-2026-obligations-et-expertise-dans-le-06/)
- [Off-plan (VEFA) defects and the decennial warranty – What the law covers](https://cassini-expertise.fr/malfacons-vefa-garantie-decennale/)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the ten-year warranty (décennale)?

The decennial warranty is a legal obligation for any builder (contractor, firm, or architect) to repair damage that compromises the structural soundness of a building or renders it unfit for its intended purpose, for 10 years after handover of the works. It covers hidden defects, construction faults, and issues affecting the structure or waterproofing.

### How does dommages-ouvrage insurance work?

Dommages-ouvrage insurance, taken out by the property owner before work begins, allows for fast compensation of damage covered by the decennial warranty without waiting for a court ruling. When a claim arises, it funds emergency repairs, then seeks reimbursement from the liable builder for the amounts paid out.

### What is the difference between the ten-year warranty and dommages-ouvrage insurance?

The decennial warranty is the builder’s civil liability, while dommages-ouvrage is insurance taken out by the property owner. The former requires the builder to carry out repairs but often involves lengthy proceedings; the latter provides fast compensation for repair work, after which the insurer steps into the property owner’s shoes to recover the cost from the builder.

**See also:** [Dommages-Ouvrage Insurance 06/83/13: Claim Declaration and Expert Assessment](https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/dommage-ouvrage-insurance-claim-expertise/) · [Dommages-Ouvrage Insurance Obligation 2026: Alpes-Maritimes](https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/dommages-ouvrage-insurance-obligation-2026-alpes-maritimes/) · [Construction Defects: Decennial Liability Guarantee in the 06, 83 and 13](https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/construction-defects-decennial-liability-06-83/)

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Source : https://cassini-expertise.fr/en/decennial-warranty-dommages-ouvrage-insurance/