Business insurance · France
SMABTP
L’assureur mutualiste historique du BTP — décennale + RC Pro
Market position
The historic French BTP mutual insurer (since 1859) and the reference for artisan décennale — bundling mandatory ten-year decennial liability with RC Pro, with deep building-sector specialism.
France-specific note
The incumbent every French builder knows for décennale. Get a SMABTP quote as your benchmark, then compare the insurtechs (Orus, April) on price and speed.
Pros
- + The reference for BTP décennale
- + Mutual, BTP-specialist since 1859
- + Décennale + RC Pro bundled
- + Deep claims/sector expertise
Cons
- − Quote-only (no online pricing)
- − Premiums reflect specialist cover
- − Application/underwriting process
- − Less "instant" than insurtechs
Typical France pricing
Quote-based.
Why this matters for France trades
Facturation électronique is becoming mandatory via approved platforms (PDP) — reception for all businesses from 1 September 2026, issuance for SMEs and micro-entreprises from 1 September 2027; assurance décennale (Loi Spinetta) is legally mandatory before a worksite opens, with a criminal penalty for working uninsured; TVA is multi-rate (20% standard, 10% renovation, 5.5% energy); RGE certification is commercially essential for clients to claim MaPrimeRénov’ and other subsidies; business registration runs through the CMA/guichet unique; and regulated trades require a qualification (diploma or three years’ experience).
French artisan (bâtiment) vendor selection is shaped by the incoming facturation électronique mandate (reception for all businesses from 1 September 2026, issuance for SMEs/micro from 1 September 2027, via approved PDP platforms), mandatory ten-year assurance décennale under the Loi Spinetta, multi-rate TVA (20/10/5.5%), RGE certification for subsidised renovation work, and the micro-entrepreneur regime that most solo tradespeople operate under.
Frequently asked
Is SMABTP a good fit for France trades?
The historic French BTP mutual insurer (since 1859) and the reference for artisan décennale — bundling mandatory ten-year decennial liability with RC Pro, with deep building-sector specialism. The incumbent every French builder knows for décennale. Get a SMABTP quote as your benchmark, then compare the insurtechs (Orus, April) on price and speed.
What does SMABTP cost in France?
Quote-based.. Pricing and availability can change by region — confirm current France pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Is SMABTP recommended?
Yes — it is a Tier S (Recommended) pick in our France directory for business insurance, based on market fit and reputation. Still compare it against the alternatives for your specific trade and region.