Dommages Ouvrage
In France all construction work carries a strict liable towards the principal or the purchaser. The Spinetta law of 1978 requires all parties to the construction process to take up the appropriate insurance policy before construction begins. All responsibilities except penal responsibility are insurable and generally the insurance companies of the parties concerned settle disputes.
The client (Maître d'ouvrage) is required to insure against decennial responsibility and Dommages Ouvrage (insurance for clients) provides such cover. Its purpose is to finance any essential rebuild or repair work prior to apportionment of responsibility under the decennial insurance policy of the party at fault. Any defective work is reinstated immediately, and then the claim is settled between the insurance companies of the parties concerned.
Contractor’s all risk (CAR)
Cover for damage to permanent and temporary works and materials or existing structures, and any resulting third party liability, during a construction project.
Decennial
In France all construction work carries a strict liable towards the principal or the purchaser. The Spinetta law of 1978 requires all parties to the construction process to take up the appropriate insurance policy before construction begins. All responsibilities except penal responsibility are insurable and generally the insurance companies of the parties concerned settle disputes. All responsibilities except penal responsibility are insurable and generally the insurance companies of the parties concerned settle disputes.
Decennial insurance is 10-year coverage taken out by people working in construction to protect against the costs associated with potential latent defects after completion and handover of the building.
Decennial liability is a matter of public order and is a compulsory class of insurance in France, meaning it is impossible to exclude it, either contractually between a building owner and the builders, or between their insurers.
Decennial liability survives whatever change may affect the ownership of the building, to the benefit of every successive purchaser of the property.