What is structural damage insurance (Dommage Ouvrage) and why is it essential?

Are you building, extending or heavily renovating your property? The law requires an insurance policy whose very name is unknown to many: structural damage insurance, known in France as Dommage Ouvrage (DO). Yet it can save you tens of thousands of euros and years of proceedings if a serious defect appears.

An insurance imposed by the Spinetta Act

The Act of 4 January 1978, known as the Spinetta Act, created two inseparable insurances:

ten-year structural cover (garantie décennale), taken out by each constructor (firm, craftsman, architect);
structural damage insurance (Dommage Ouvrage, DO), taken out by the client (maître d'ouvrage) — that is, you, the owner having the work carried out.

Article L242-1 of the French Insurance Code states the obligation clearly: anyone having construction work carried out must take out a DO policy before work begins. The cover then runs for 10 years from the handover of the works (réception).

What is structural damage insurance actually for?

DO has a single purpose: to pre-fund repairs quickly for damage falling under ten-year structural liability, without waiting for a judge to identify the constructor at fault.

In concrete terms, it covers:

defects that compromise the soundness of the structure (structural cracks, subsidence of foundations, defective roof framing…);
defects that make the property unfit for its purpose (leaks making the house uninhabitable, waterproofing problems, failure of an inseparable equipment component such as underfloor heating);
damage affecting the soundness of equipment components that are inseparable from the building.

Who has to take it out?

The obligation falls on anyone having a property built, whether that is:

a private individual having their house built or renovating it in depth;
an owner carrying out an extension, a storey addition or a loft conversion;
a co-ownership (copropriété) undertaking structural work;
a property developer, a property-holding company (SCI) or a social landlord.

For professionals (developers, property dealers, construction companies), the absence of DO is a criminal offence: 6 months' imprisonment and a €75,000 fine (article L243-3 of the French Insurance Code).

For private individuals, there is no specific criminal penalty, but the financial consequences are heavy (see below).

Which works are concerned?

All works subject to ten-year structural liability must be covered by a DO policy:

new construction of a house or a building;
extension, storey addition, masonry conservatory;
major renovation affecting the structure (load-bearing walls, roof framing, foundations, roof, chimney flues…);
waterproofing, external wall insulation, structural façade renovation;
installation of systems tied to the structural works (underfloor heating, heat pumps integrated into the building).

Conversely, purely cosmetic works (painting, wallpaper, unfixed floor coverings) do not require a DO policy.

How does compensation work?

This is where DO reveals its full value. The procedure is governed by strict legal deadlines:

You notify the claim to your insurer, by recorded delivery with acknowledgement of receipt.
The insurer has 60 days to notify you of its decision (acceptance or reasoned refusal).
If it accepts, it has 90 days to make you a compensation offer.
Once the offer is accepted, payment is made within 15 days.

In total: less than 6 months to obtain the funds needed for repairs, where a conventional court action can drag on for several years.

How much does structural damage insurance cost?

The cost of a DO policy is generally between 1% and 5% of the total value of the works, with an average of around 2% for a standard new build. Several factors affect the premium:

the nature of the works (new build, renovation, extension);
the size and complexity of the project;
the profile and experience of the chosen constructors;
the geographical area (seismic risk, clay soils, flooding);
whether or not a G2 soil study has been carried out.

A minimum premium of around €2,000 often applies, even for small projects. For a precise budget, read our detailed article on the price of structural damage insurance in 2026.

DO and ten-year cover: not to be confused

This is one of the most common points of confusion. To sum up:

ten-year structural cover (garantie décennale) is the constructor's insurance: it covers their liability;
structural damage insurance (Dommage Ouvrage) is the owner's insurance: it protects you, by funding repairs without delay.

The two are complementary and both compulsory. To go further, read our comparison of Structural Damage Insurance vs Ten-Year Structural Cover.

In summary

Structural damage insurance is compulsory before work begins for every client (maître d'ouvrage).
It pre-funds the repair of ten-year structural defects, with no need to establish liability first.
Its cover extends over 10 years from the handover of the works.
Its cost averages 1 to 5% of the total budget, with a minimum often around €2,000.
Failing to take it out exposes you to heavy financial consequences, particularly on resale.

Need guidance?

Taking out structural damage insurance suited to your project requires a careful assessment of the risks and a comparison of what the market offers. Our team of brokers will guide you in choosing your structural damage insurance. Request a personalised quote or get in touch with an adviser.