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Insurance
Natural disaster drought coverage: a 2-year time limit — watch out!
Exceptional events, like flooding, can cause serious damage to homes and property. In these situations, your insurance may compensate you under certain conditions. How does this compensation work, and when does it apply? Here's what you need to know.
Natural disaster coverage lets you get compensated for property damage caused by an abnormal natural event — flooding, drought, landslide, avalanche, earthquake, and so on. This coverage is automatically included in property damage insurance policies, particularly comprehensive home insurance and certain car insurance policies.
Once the official decree recognizing a state of natural disaster is published in the Journal Officiel, you must report the damage to your insurer — as soon as you become aware of the event, and no later than 30 days after the decree is published.
Claims for drought damage are subject to a 2-year time limit. Beyond a lawsuit against the insurer, there are only 5 ways to stop that clock from running out:
- The insurer acknowledges coverage
- An expert is appointed
- The insurer sends the policyholder a registered letter regarding premium payment
- The policyholder sends the insurer a registered letter regarding the compensation payment
- The case is referred to the insurance mediator
That's it for today — stay informed, and see you soon for more legal news!

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