Insurance and tax liability

[Lizfjr]

Quick couple of questions (and yes, I have tried a search).

What's the name of the insurance that should be acquired by artisans and if a devis has the words TTC, does that imply that they are registered for TVA?

Liz

[Ron Avery]

I would like to add to Liz's question, how can you find out if an artisan is insured and before Ray jumps in, APART from asking him

Is there anywhere or a website where this can be checked, I have tried INFOBILAN.

A friend has a long running dispute with an artisan and is taking the man to court.  He is now saying that he has had no insurance for 10 years so no claim can be made for remedial works against him.  So can this be checked?  He has a siret number and is listed on INFOBILAN.

Liz  If TTC is quoted then the artisan is registered for TVA, the threshold for not registering is very low here so few will not be registered.

[Val_2]

Unfortunately for clients, an artisan is responsible himself for taking out the relevent Deçennale & Résponsabilité assurance here and not many insurers actually do this cover because it is very expensive (ours is just under 4000€/year and that is with no claims whatsoever) Every artisan is obliged to divulge his policy details to clients if they so wish and with large projects we actually give them a copy so they can see exactly what we are covered for and who with. I just cannot understand artisans who work without this because it is also for their own protection if someone counterclaims against them and one good example our insurers gave us was "maybe leaving a ladder on a site which gets stolen and the thief or another party gets injured by this ladder,we are responsible because it is our property. All this person can do is pursue the artisan through the courts which is long and expensive but they could also report them to the authorities it may help. Yes TTC - Total tax compris means the artisan is charging TVA.

[Lizfjr]

Thanks for taking the time to read and answer this.

And I am correct in thinking that this insurance is compulsory aren't I?

 

Liz

[Val_2]

Yes it is because of the ten year guarantee on works carried out for the client and for public liability cover in case of damages. In theory even a non-registered artisan who builds a new house is supposed to carry this cover in case the property is sold to another person within that ten years and the workmanship is insured against defects etc. Again, nothing is policed here and people just won't bother if they decide not too, its upto the client to decide and to be honest,walk away from non-insured builders is the best measure to take. If they have no insurance it makes you wonder if they pay charges too and especially health cover or else you could be liable there if in case of a serious accident. Another thing too is that in the case of the insured artisan not being able to finish the work through illness,accident or even death,the insurers will pay to find someone else to carry the work on.

[Lizfjr]

Val,

As ever, many thanks. This is very helpful.

 

Liz