Business insurance · France
SMABTP
Construction mutual insurer since 1859: décennale, liability and business cover for building firms
Market position
SMABTP (Société mutuelle d'assurance du bâtiment et des travaux publics) is a Paris-based mutual insurer in Groupe SMA, founded in 1859 by a Paris masonry contractors' association; it says it wrote the first décennale contract in 1923. Its artisan décennale contract includes the ten-year liability plus civil liability, works-damage cover, legal protection and personal accident cover, and it offers an online quote. Premiums are not published and depend on trade, turnover, staff, company age, qualifications and claims history.
France-specific note
SMABTP reminds builders that décennale cover is required from the first day of activity. It offers an online quote but publishes no prices, so get its quote alongside others and compare the activities covered, the excess and the attestation wording, not just the premium.
Pros
- + Mutual insurer focused on construction since 1859
- + Décennale bundled with civil liability, works damage and legal protection
- + Online décennale quote tool
- + Also insures vehicles, premises, health and prévoyance for artisans
- + Attestations available from the client area
Cons
- − No published prices
- − Premium depends on trade, turnover, staff, company age and claims history
- − Discount terms for new or claim-free firms not published
Typical France pricing
Quote-based; no public prices (online quote available).
Why this matters for France trades
Since 1 September 2026 every French business must be able to receive B2B e-invoices through a plateforme agréée registered by the State (CGI art. 289 bis), and PME, TPE and micro-entreprises must issue them by 1 September 2027; DGFiP says no sanctions apply in 2026 while businesses adapt. Assurance décennale (Loi Spinetta) must be in place before work starts, and building without it is punishable by 6 months’ imprisonment and/or a 75,000 euro fine, per service-public.fr. TVA on building work on homes is 20% standard, 10% for improvement, transformation, fitting-out and maintenance, and 5.5% for energy renovation, with the reduced rates only for dwellings completed more than two years ago. Clients can only claim MaPrimeRénov’, the éco-PTZ or CEE bonuses if the work is done by an RGE professional. Businesses register through the Guichet des formalités des entreprises, with the CMA advising artisans, and regulated building trades must be carried out or controlled by a qualified person (CAP, BEP or BP, an equivalent RNCP title, or three years’ experience).
French artisan (bâtiment) vendor selection is shaped by facturation électronique (every business must be able to receive e-invoices through a plateforme agréée since 1 September 2026, and PME, TPE and micro-entreprises must issue them by 1 September 2027), compulsory assurance décennale taken out before work starts, multi-rate TVA (20%, 10% and 5.5%), the RGE label that homeowner clients need to claim energy-renovation aid, and the micro-entrepreneur regime with its turnover ceilings and VAT franchise.
Frequently asked
Is SMABTP a good fit for France trades?
SMABTP (Société mutuelle d'assurance du bâtiment et des travaux publics) is a Paris-based mutual insurer in Groupe SMA, founded in 1859 by a Paris masonry contractors' association; it says it wrote the first décennale contract in 1923. Its artisan décennale contract includes the ten-year liability plus civil liability, works-damage cover, legal protection and personal accident cover, and it offers an online quote. Premiums are not published and depend on trade, turnover, staff, company age, qualifications and claims history. SMABTP reminds builders that décennale cover is required from the first day of activity. It offers an online quote but publishes no prices, so get its quote alongside others and compare the activities covered, the excess and the attestation wording, not just the premium.
What does SMABTP cost in France?
Quote-based; no public prices (online quote available). Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current France pricing on the vendor's site before committing.