Professional indemnity insurance
Reviewed by the DigiCare broking team · Authorised & regulated by the FCA · Last reviewed May 2026
ORIAS-registered broker
Supervised by the ACPR
Policy and claims in English
Independent, not tied to one insurer
What is RC Pro (responsabilité civile professionnelle)?
RC Pro is France's professional indemnity insurance — it covers the financial cost of harm caused to a client through a professional error, negligence, an omission, or a breach of duty to advise, including the legal defence costs that come with a claim. Source: service-public.gouv.fr (F37365).
In France the product is universally called RC Pro or responsabilité civile professionnelle. The English terms 'professional indemnity' (UK) and 'professional liability' (US) refer to the same cover. RC Pro is not the same as personal RC (responsabilité civile) included in a home policy — that covers private life, not business activity.
RC Pro is mandatory for certain regulated professions under the Code des assurances — healthcare, law, real estate, accountancy, and insurance intermediaries. For all other freelancers and consultants it is optional, but client contracts routinely require proof of cover before signing. Key French terms: sinistre (claim or loss event), franchise (deductible / excess), plafond de garantie (cover limit), attestation d'assurance (certificate of insurance).
Do you legally need RC Pro? Find your profession
RC Pro is legally required for regulated professions under the Code des assurances. For most freelancers and consultants it is not mandatory, but clients often demand proof before signing. Source: service-public.gouv.fr (F37365).
- CommercialProfessionHealthcare professionals (doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, physios)RC Pro required?Mandatory — YesLegal basis / noteCode de la santé publique art. L1142-2CommercialHealthcare professionals (doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives, physios)Mandatory — YesCode de la santé publique art. L1142-2
- CommercialProfessionLawyers and notaries (avocats, notaires, commissaires de justice)RC Pro required?Mandatory — YesLegal basis / noteLoi 71-1130 art. 27; lawyers min. €1,500,000/yearCommercialLawyers and notaries (avocats, notaires, commissaires de justice)Mandatory — YesLoi 71-1130 art. 27; lawyers min. €1,500,000/year
- CommercialProfessionArchitects and engineersRC Pro required?Mandatory — YesLegal basis / noteCode des assurances art. L241-1 (architects) and profession-specific decreesCommercialArchitects and engineersMandatory — YesCode des assurances art. L241-1 (architects) and profession-specific decrees
- CommercialProfessionReal-estate agents (carte professionnelle, Loi Hoguet)RC Pro required?Mandatory — YesLegal basis / noteLoi Hoguet 70-9CommercialReal-estate agents (carte professionnelle, Loi Hoguet)Mandatory — YesLoi Hoguet 70-9
- CommercialProfessionFinancial advisors and insurance brokers (ORIAS-registered)RC Pro required?Mandatory — YesLegal basis / noteCode des assurances art. L512-6; broker min. €1,564,610/claimCommercialFinancial advisors and insurance brokers (ORIAS-registered)Mandatory — YesCode des assurances art. L512-6; broker min. €1,564,610/claim
- CommercialProfessionChartered accountants (experts-comptables)RC Pro required?Mandatory — YesLegal basis / noteservice-public.gouv.fr (F37365)
- CommercialProfessionManagement, strategy, and IT consultantsRC Pro required?Optional — recommendedLegal basis / noteClients routinely require it by contract clauseCommercialManagement, strategy, and IT consultantsOptional — recommendedClients routinely require it by contract clause
- CommercialProfessionMarketing, creative, and communications freelancersRC Pro required?Optional — recommendedLegal basis / noteOne error can exceed years of premiumsCommercialMarketing, creative, and communications freelancersOptional — recommendedOne error can exceed years of premiums
- CommercialProfessionCoaches, trainers, and translatorsRC Pro required?Optional — recommendedLegal basis / noteOften required by platforms and enterprise clientsCommercialCoaches, trainers, and translatorsOptional — recommendedOften required by platforms and enterprise clients
What RC Pro covers, and what it doesn't
Covered
- Financial loss you cause a client through a professional error, negligence, or omission
- Breach of your duty to advise (manquement au devoir de conseil)
- Bodily injury and property damage you cause a third party in your work
- Loss or damage of documents a client entrusted to you
- Legal defence costs tied to a covered claim
Not covered (exclusions)
- Deliberate or fraudulent acts
- Fines and criminal penalties
- Structural building defects (that needs separate décennale cover for construction trades)
- Injury to your own staff (that needs employer cover)
- Data breaches and cyber attacks, unless added
- Work or turnover you did not declare when you took out the policy
Claims-made basis: Most RC Pro is written on a claims-made basis (base réclamation), so the policy that pays is the one in force when the claim is made. Ask us about run-off cover (garantie subséquente) when you stop trading.
How much does RC Pro cost in France in 2026?
Insurers rate RC Pro on your profession's risk and your turnover — typically 0.5% to 2% of turnover. The ranges below are typical market bands, not guaranteed quotes; your exact premium depends on your profile.
- Entry
Low-risk micro-entrepreneur or freelancer
Monthly~€13/monthAnnually€80–300/yearEntry-level cover for low-risk activity (e.g., translators, coaches, virtual assistants).
- Standard
Consultants and service professionals
Monthly~€17–30/monthAnnually€200–800/yearMid-range for IT contractors, marketing freelancers, management consultants.
- On quote
Regulated or higher-risk professions
Monthly€50/month and upAnnually€600–3,000+/yearLawyers (min. €1.5M/year) and insurance brokers (min. €1,564,610/claim) face a statutory minimum cover limit.
Average for building professionals: around €800 per year (service-public.gouv.fr F37365). For freely-priced professions no single official average exists.
Prices reviewed June 2026
RC Pro vs décennale vs personal RC vs multirisque pro
Three products often confused — here is what each one covers and who needs it.
Source: legifrance.gouv.fr (art. L241-1), service-public.gouv.fr (F37365)
| Product | Who needs it | What it covers | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|---|
| RC Pro (responsabilité civile professionnelle) | Service professionals and freelancers | Financial loss from professional errors, negligence, and omissions | Yes for regulated professions, otherwise optional |
| RC Décennale (assurance décennale) | Construction trades only (builders, architects, engineers) | Structural defects for 10 years after a build | Yes, by law (Loi Spinetta, art. L241-1) — a separate product, not a substitute for RC Pro |
| Personal RC (responsabilité civile) | Private individuals and tenants | Everyday harm you cause others in private life | Usually included in home insurance (multirisque habitation) |
| Multirisque pro | Small businesses with premises | A bundle of RC Pro plus premises, contents, and operating risks | No, but commonly chosen |
Why choose an English-speaking ORIAS broker
- 01
Independent broker (courtier)
We are ORIAS-registered and compare several insurers, so the quote fits your profession, not one carrier's range.
- 02
Everything in English
Your policy documents and your claim are handled in English, with French-speaking support when you need it for the paperwork.
- 03
Transparent pricing
We show you the 2026 cost bands up front and explain what moves your premium, before you commit.
- 04
We match the legal limit
If your profession sets a minimum cover limit by law, we make sure your policy meets it.
Chapter VI
Professional indemnity (RC Pro) in France: FAQs
- Is RC Pro mandatory in France?
- RC Pro is legally mandatory only for regulated professions in France, including healthcare, lawyers and notaries, architects and engineers, real-estate agents, and financial advisors and insurance brokers, under the Code des assurances. For most freelancers and consultants it is not legally required, but clients often demand it before they sign a contract.
- How much does RC Pro cost in France in 2026?
- In 2026, RC Pro typically costs €80 to €300 per year for low-risk freelancers, €200 to €800 per year for consultants, and €600 to €3,000+ per year for regulated or higher-risk professions. For building professionals specifically, the average is around €800 per year (service-public.gouv.fr F23667); RC Pro is freely priced for other professions. Entry policies start from about €13 per month.
- What is professional liability insurance called in French?
- It is called RC Pro, short for responsabilité civile professionnelle. The English terms "professional indemnity insurance" and "professional liability insurance" both refer to this same RC Pro cover in France.
- Do IT contractors and consultants need RC Pro in France?
- It is not legally required for IT contractors, consultants, or designers, but most client and platform contracts ask for proof of cover before you start. RC Pro for digital work does not cover data breaches; that needs cyber insurance for businesses in France.
- Can I get the policy and certificate in English?
- Yes. DigiCare is an English-speaking ORIAS-registered broker. We quote, issue your certificate (attestation d'assurance), and handle any claim in English, with French support for the official paperwork.
- Is RC Pro the same as garantie décennale?
- No. RC Pro covers financial loss from professional errors and advice. Garantie décennale is a separate, mandatory 10-year cover for construction trades only. Construction professionals often need both.
Regulatory disclosure
- · ORIAS registration: DigiCare is registered as an insurance broker (courtier en assurances) on the ORIAS register (orias.fr).
- · ACPR supervision: DigiCare is supervised by the Autorité de contrôle prudentiel et de résolution (ACPR).
- · Right of withdrawal: Distance contracts may carry a 14-day right of withdrawal under the Code des assurances (art. L112-2-1). Your policy documents state the exact terms.
- · Médiateur de l'Assurance: If a dispute is not resolved, you may contact the Médiateur de l'Assurance (mediation-assurance.org).
Get an English-speaking RC Pro quote
Tell us your profession and turnover. We confirm whether RC Pro is required for you, compare the market, and send a quote and certificate in English.