What about loan insurance (assurance emprunteur)?

Loan insurance has a special 12-month rule: if you cancel within 12 months of the contract start date, you receive a full refund. After 12 months, the standard Hamon rules apply, but the Lemoine Law (2022) now allows cancellation at any time for mortgage insurance.

What happens if I cancel before one year?

The Hamon Law does not apply before one year. However, the earlier Loi Chatel (2005) allows cancellation at any time, but insurers may apply early termination fees. The specific terms depend on your contract.

Can I cancel all my insurance policies at once?

No. Each insurance contract is separate, and you must wait until the first year has passed for each one. However, you can coordinate timing by subscribing to new policies and giving your new insurers the authority to cancel the old ones.

Insurance GuideUpdated April 29, 2026

Hamon Law (Loi Hamon): Cancel Your Insurance in France — 2026 Guide

Q: What is the Hamon Law?

The Hamon Law (Law n° 2014-344 of 17 March 2014) allows consumers to cancel their car, home, or loan insurance at any time after the first contract year, without justification. The insurer must give 1 month's advance notice to cancel on their end—consumers face no such deadline.

Q: Which insurances are covered by the Hamon Law?

The Hamon Law covers car insurance (assurance auto), home insurance (assurance habitation multirisques), motorcycle insurance, and loan insurance (assurance emprunteur). Health insurance (mutuelle), life insurance (assurance vie), professional liability, and travel insurance are not covered.

Q: How long do I have to wait before canceling?

You must wait until after the first contract year (12 months from the start date). There is no deadline for you to cancel—the right applies at any time after the first year. Only the insurer has a 1-month notice period when they want to cancel.

Q: How is my refund calculated?

Refund calculation: (Annual premium ÷ 365) × number of unused days. The insurer must process payment within 30 days of the cancellation date.

Q: What is the indemnité de remplissage?

The indemnité de remplissage is a contested administrative fee that some insurers attempt to charge when policyholders switch. It is not automatically enforceable and may be challenged. TheDGCCRF has noted consumer disputes on this fee.

The Hamon Law (Law n° 2014-344) lets you cancel your car, home, or loan insurance at any time after the first year, without paying fees and without explaining why. Your old insurer must process your refund within 30 days.

TL;DR — Key Points

Free cancellation after the first year—no fees permitted
No justification needed for canceling
You have no deadline—cancel any time after 12 months
Pro-rata refund within 30 days (unused premium)
Loan insurance has special rules (12-month window, Lemoine Law since 2022)

1. What Is the Hamon Law?

The Hamon Law is Law n° 2014-344, a French consumer-protection statute that took effect on 17 March 2014. It is named after Benoît Hamon, who was then Minister for the Social Economy and Consumer Affairs.

The law has two main goals: boost competition in the insurance market and make it easier for consumers to switch to better-value policies. Before 2014, insurers could lock policyholders into annual contracts with costly exit penalties.

Official legal source: Légifrance — Code des assurances, Article L. 113-12-2

The law created a more competitive market where consumers can realistically save money by switching. According to industry data, competition in the insurance market has increased since 2014, with more providers offering better rates to attract customers.

2. Which Insurances Are Covered?

The Hamon Law covers specific types of personal insurance. Understanding what is and is not covered is essential before attempting to cancel.

Car Insurance

Assurance auto

Third-party liability and fully comprehensive (tous risques)

Mandatory for all motor vehicles in France

Home Insurance

Assurance habitation

Multi-risk home insurance (MRH/multirisques habitation)

Often mandatory for tenants and homeowners with a mortgage

Motorcycle Insurance

Assurance moto

All two-wheelers including 125cc and below

Mandatory to legally ride on French roads

Loan Insurance

Assurance emprunteur

Mortgage or consumer credit protection

12-month special rule applies; also covered by Lemoine Law since 2022

Insurances NOT Covered by the Hamon Law

Health Insurance (Mutuelle santé)

Not covered—governed by different rules

Life Insurance (Assurance vie)

Not covered—accession and surrender rules differ

Professional Insurance (Assurance professionnelle)

Commercial policies excluded from Hamon

Travel Insurance (Assurance voyage)

Not covered by consumer cancellation laws

3. Hamon Law vs. Loi Chatel — What Is the Difference?

The Loi Chatel (Law n° 2005-790 of 2 August 2005) is often confused with the Hamon Law. Both make insurance cancellation easier, but they work differently. Here is the practical difference:

Feature	Hamon Law	Loi Chatel
Effective date	17 March 2014	2 August 2005
When you can cancel	Any time after first year	Any time
Justification required	No	No
Which insurances	Car, home, motorcycle, loan	All insurance types
Refund	Pro-rata within 30 days	Pro-rata may be reduced by early termination fees

Key Takeaway

Use Hamon for car, home, or loan insurance after one year—no fees, full pro-rata refund.
Use Chatel for canceling before one year—or for other insurance types—but early termination fees may apply.
For loan/mortgage insurance specifically—the Lemoine Law (2022) now supersedes both, allowing cancellation at any time.

4. Cancellation Procedure — Step by Step

Cancelling under the Hamon Law involves five straightforward steps. The most important thing to know: your new insurer handles everything on your behalf.

Verify your contract is over 12 months old

Check your policy schedule (conditions particulières). Look for the "date de prise d'effet" or start date. The Hamon cancellation right applies only after you have completed the first year.

Research and compare new quotes

Get quotes from at least 3 different insurers. Compare not just the premium—look at coverage limits, excesses (franchises), and excluded risks. Some insurers offer "nullité" clauses that void coverage for misrepresentation.

Subscribe with the new insurer

Sign the new insurance contract. The new insurer will initiate the cancellation of your old policy automatically. This is called "délégation"—they handle everything.

Track the cancellation and refund

By law, your old insurer must process the pro-rata refund within 30 days of the cancellation date. Check your account statement. If no refund arrives, send a formal letter by registered mail.

Keep all documentation

Save confirmation emails, the new policy documents, and bank statements. If there is a dispute, you will need proof. Contact the DGCCRF (Direction générale de la concurrence, consommation et repression des fraudes) if needed.

How Delegation Works

When you subscribe with a new insurer, they contact your old insurer to arrange the transfer. This is automatic—the old insurer must accept the cancellation. Some insurers offer free delegation service, which prevents any gap in coverage.

5. Cancellation Letter Template

While you do not need to write a cancellation letter (the new insurer handles it), sending written confirmation by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt provides proof of your request. Here is a template you can adapt:

Cancellation Letter Template

French legal format

Objet : Résiliation de mon contrat d'assurance [type] conformément à la loi Hamon Madame, Monsieur, Je vous informe par la présente de la résiliation de mon contrat d'assurance [numéro de contrat]. Ce contrat a pris effet le [date de début]. Plus de douze mois se sont écoulés depuis cette date. Conformément à l'article L. 113-12-2 du Code des assurances (Loi Hamon du 17 mars 2014), je résilie ce contrat sans justification nécessaire. Je vous prie de bien vouloir me transmettre le calcul de mon remboursement au prorata dans un délai de 30 jours. Je reste à votre disposition pour tout renseignement complémentaire. Cordialement, [Votre nom] [Votre adresse] [Numéro de contrat] [Date]

When to Use This Template

Directly canceling without subscribing to a new insurer first
If your new insurer does not handle the delegation
When you need proof of cancellation for a dispute

6. How Your Refund Is Calculated

Under the Hamon Law, the canceled premium is refunded using the pro-rata temporis method—you receive back the cost of the days you did not use.

Formula

Refund = (Annual Premium ÷ 365) × Unused Days

Example Calculation

Annual premium	€600
Contract start date	January 1, 2025
Cancellation date	July 1, 2025
Days of coverage used	182 days
Unused days	183 days
Daily rate	€600 ÷ 365 = €1.64/day
Refund amount	€1.64 × 183 = €300.12

Important: The insurer must process your refund within 30 days of the cancellation date. If they delay, you can claim interest on the outstanding amount. There is no cancellation fee—the Hamon Law prohibits insurers from charging for cancellation after the first year.

7. Loan Insurance (Assurance Emprunteur) — Special Rules

Loan insurance (assurance emprunteur) is the most complex area. Taken out to protect a mortgage or consumer credit, this insurance has special rules that differ from car and home insurance.

The 12-Month Rule

The Hamon cancellation right for loan insurance applies within 12 months (1 year) of the contract start date. Cancel within this window, and you receive a full refund of the premium paid.

The Delegation Method

After 12 months, you can still switch loan insurance using delegation. This lets you change insurers without your bank's approval—but your new policy must provide equivalent coverage, or the bank can reject the substitution.

Update: the Lemoine Law (since February 2022)

The Loi Lemoine (Law n° 2022-270 of 28 February 2022) went further than Hamon for mortgage borrower insurance. It removed the 12-month window entirely—borrowers can now substitute their loan insurance at any time. The law also abolished the medical questionnaire for loans of €200,000 or less per person ending before age 60. See our Lemoine Law guide for details.

Important Warnings

The bank can suggest its own insurer but cannot force you to use them
Check equivalence of coverage carefully—lower coverage means your application will be rejected
For delegation, gather comparative quotes and present them to your bank in writing
Some insurers may claim an "indemnité de remplissage" (filling fee)—this is contested and may be challenged. Contact DGCCRF if disputed.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many policyholders make avoidable mistakes when trying to cancel under the Hamon Law. Here is what to watch out for:

Believing you can cancel immediately

You must wait 12 months from contract start. Canceling before triggers early termination fees.

Thinking you need to negotiate

No justification required. The Hamon Law is automatic—you simply notify, and they must process.

Waiting for the insurer to approve

You do not need permission. The new insurer handles it. If you cancel directly, they must accept.

Assuming all refunds are automatic

Insurers have 30 days. If you do not receive it, send a formal letter by registered mail. Contact DGCCRF if needed.

Not checking the equivalence for loan insurance

For loan insurance delegation, your new policy must provide equivalent coverage—or the bank can reject it.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hamon Law?

The Hamon Law is Law n° 2014-344 of 17 March 2014. It lets consumers cancel their car, home, or loan insurance at any time after the first contract year without justification. The insurer must give 1 month's notice to cancel on their end—consumers face no deadline.

Which insurances are covered by the Hamon Law?

The Hamon Law covers car insurance, home insurance (assurance habitation), motorcycle insurance, and loan insurance. Health insurance (mutuelle), life insurance (assurance vie), professional liability, and travel insurance are not covered.

How long do I have to wait before canceling?

You must wait until after the first 12 months from your contract start date. There is no deadline for you—the right applies at any time after the first year. Only the insurer has a 1-month notice period when they want to cancel.

Are there fees for canceling under the Hamon Law?

No. The Hamon Law prohibits insurers from charging cancellation fees once the first year has passed. You receive a pro-rata refund for unused coverage days.

What about loan insurance?

Loan insurance has a special 12-month rule: cancel within 12 months of the contract start date for a full refund. After 12 months, use the delegation method. But note: the Lemoine Law (2022) now allows cancellation at any time for mortgage insurance.

How is my refund calculated?

Refund uses pro-rata temporis: (Annual premium ÷ 365) × unused days. The insurer must process payment within 30 days.

Can I cancel before one year?

No. The Hamon Law requires one year to pass first. However, the Loi Chatel lets you cancel at any time—though early cancellation may involve early termination fees depending on your contract terms.

Do I need to write a cancellation letter?

Not necessarily. When you subscribe with a new insurer, they handle the cancellation on your behalf. However, sending written confirmation by registered mail provides proof of your request.

What is the indemnité de remplissage?

The indemnité de remplissage is an administrative fee that some insurers attempt to charge when policyholders switch. It is not automatically enforceable and has been disputed by consumers. You may challenge it through DGCCRF if charged without justification.

Can I cancel all my insurance at once?

No. Each insurance contract is separate—you must wait until the first year has passed for each one. However, you can coordinate by subscribing to new policies and letting your new insurers handle the cancellations.

Official Sources

Written by comparatif24.fr team

Last updated: 29 April 2026

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