Home Insurance

 

 

Luko

Home insurance in 2 minutes. Mandatory for your French rental contract.

Luko by Allianz Direct is a major French digital insurance company (InsurTech) that offers 100% online home insurance tailored for tenants, homeowners, and landlords in France. Originally a fast-growing independent startup capturing 25% of the online French home insurance market, Luko experienced severe financial difficulties in late 2023 but was acquired by Allianz Direct in early 2024, which now fully backs its operations. 

 Key Features of Luko Home Insurance

• Fast Sign-up: You can get an online quote and contract in about two minutes.

• Paperless Management: Everything from policy adjustments to cancellation is handled digitally via their app. 

• English-Language Friendly: Although the official policy wording is primarily in French, its simple online interface makes it highly popular with expats and international students. 

• Affordable Pricing: Plans start at low monthly rates (often under €10/month depending on property size), aiming to be cheaper than traditional brick-and-mortar competitors. 

 

 The Marketplace Shift: Before and After Allianz

Understanding Luko's recent history is critical for anyone looking to sign up today:

Feature The Original Luko (Pre-2024)Luko by Allianz Direct (Current)Financial BackingIndependent startup; went into receivership in late 2023.Fully backed by corporate giant Allianz Direct.Business Model70% of premiums went to claims; remaining left over went to charity.Integrated into traditional direct corporate underwriting structures.Reliability RiskHigh operational risk during its 2023 cash-crunch period.High financial solvency, though transition issues have occurred.

 Customer Sentiment & Feedback

Current public feedback presents a mix of structural benefits and transitional pain points:

• The Positives: Reviewers on platforms like the Luko Trustpilot Page highlight its affordability, ease of insuring rentals, and speed of getting the mandatory French attestation d'assurance (insurance certificate). 

• The Negatives: Some long-term users posting on forums like Survive France and Facebook groups have noted legacy delays in claims processing from Luko's turbulent late-2023 era. Recent transition complaints mention administrative bugs, such as being prompted to re-submit IBAN banking data during the migration to Allianz systems. 

 Important Considerations for French Home Insurance

1. Legal Requirement: Home insurance (specifically Responsabilité Civile or civil liability) is legally mandatory for all tenants renting unfurnished properties in France. 

2. CAF Assistance: You cannot finalize your file for French housing welfare benefits (CAF) without uploading a valid home insurance certificate. 

3. No-Commitment: Under French law (the Loi Hamon), you have the right to cancel your home insurance policy freely at any time after the first 12 months of coverage. 

HEYME

 

HEYME  is a major French digital insurance provider specializing in health and student insurance tailored for students, expats, and young professionals. Functioning as a digital mutuelle (complementary health insurance provider), it is highly popular among foreigners moving to France because it bridges the gaps left by the standard French state healthcare system. 

 Core Product: Complementary Health Insurance (Mutuelle)

In France, the state Social Security system typically only covers about 70% of standard medical visits and medication. HEYME provides the mutuelle coverage to take care of the remaining 30%: 

 

• Affordable Pricing: Their baseline student digital health insurance starts at just €9.90 per month. 

• English-Language Telehealth: All health insurance plans include 24/7 access to medical teleconsultation apps where you can speak to doctors in either English or French. 

• Direct Billing (Tiers Payant): HEYME provides a digital third-party payment card through their mobile app. Presenting this card at French pharmacies or medical clinics means you do not have to pay upfront for covered costs. 

 

 Other Essential Insurance Add-ons

Beyond standard health coverage, HEYME operates as a one-stop-shop for the various mandatory insurance policies required by French law: 

 

• Civil Liability Insurance (Responsabilité Civile): Mandatory for enrolling in French universities and securing student internships. Costing around €12 per year, it protects you if you accidentally cause property damage or injury to someone else.

• Student Housing Insurance: Much like Luko, HEYME provides mandatory student tenant home insurance starting at roughly €34 to €35 per year. It covers standard household risks like water damage, fire, and theft. 

• International Student Plans (World Pass): Specifically designed for non-EU students coming to France, this package provides comprehensive travel cover, emergency repatriation, and medical expenses covered from the very first euro.

 

 HEYME vs. Luko: How Do They Compare?

While both are heavily integrated digital platforms operating in the French market, they serve slightly different primary functions:

Feature  HEYMELuko by Allianz DirectPrimary FocusStudent Health Insurance (Mutuelle)Home & Property InsuranceTarget AudienceStudents, expats, and under-30 young adultsTenants, general homeowners, and landlordsKey AdvantageCombines university liability, health, and travel needsOffers deep, customizable property and contents coverage

 What to Know Before You Sign Up

 

1. The Social Security Prerequisite: If you buy a HEYME mutuelle policy to cover your daily healthcare, it generally requires you to link it to a French state Social Security number (numéro de sécurité sociale). If you are a new expat, you must apply for your free state health coverage via the French government portal before HEYME can process regular medical refunds.
2. Instant Certificates: Just like Luko, signing up online triggers immediate delivery of your attestation via email. You can download this straight to your phone to present to your university or landlord right away.