Detailed guide on the Lemoine law

Detailed guideon theLemoine law(law no. 2022-270 of February 28, 2022), as it applies in 2026 to the field ofborrower insurance. This text is aimed at decision-makers and leaders in the insurance sector, as well as brokers and mutuals, in order to clarify obligations, operational opportunities, and impacts on underwriting processes.

1. Context and objectives of the Lemoine law

Promulgated on February 28, 2022, and gradually coming into effect between June and September 2022, the law aims to make the borrower insurance marketfairer, simpler, and more transparent. It strengthens competition, improves access to mortgage credit, and particularly protects individuals with aggravated health risks.

The four main axes remain fully applicable in 2026:

• Annual cancellation without fees
• Removal of the health questionnaire under certain conditions
• Strengthening theright to be forgottenand evolution of the AERAS agreement
• Better information for borrowers

2. Termination and substitution of borrower insurance at any time

Key provision: any borrower can terminate their borrower insurance contractat any timeduring the life of the loan, without fees or penalties, and replace it with another contract offering an equivalentor higher level of coverage. ou supérieur.

Implementation schedule(unchanged in 2026):

• Contracts concluded fromJune 1, 2022→ immediate application
• Previous contracts → application sinceSeptember 1, 2022

Practical rules :

• The bank (or lending institution) has10 business daysto accept or refuse the delegation (the only reason for refusal: non-equivalence of guarantees).
• The borrower must inform the lender in writing (registered letter, email with acknowledgment, or via the channel provided in the contract).
• The bank must annually remind this right of termination (strengthened obligation under penalty of sanctions).

Operational impact for insurers and brokers: this measure has significantly accelerated theinsurance delegationand requires offering very competitive contracts in terms of price and coverage, starting from the simulation phase.

3. Elimination of health questionnaire and medical formalities

Since 2022, no medical information, no health questionnaire, or additional examination can be requested whenthe three cumulative conditionsthe following are gathered:

• The loan finances a property forresidential useor formixed use(residential + professional)
• The insured amount per person (cumulative outstandingof all the insured's mortgage loans) is≤ €200,000
• The last repayment deadline occursbefore the 60th birthdayof the insured

Concrete examples :

• Single loan of €180,000, ending before 60 years →no questionnaire
• Couple borrowing €380,000 (€190,000 each), ending before 60 years →no questionnaire
• Loan of €240,000 alone or ending after 60 years →mandatory questionnairepossible

Consequence: this measure concerns a significant portion of first-time buyers, young professionals, and moderate amount loans. It simplifies digital processes and greatly reduces thedrop-off raterelated to the apprehension of the medical questionnaire.

4. Right to be forgotten and AERAS agreement

The law has imposed on the signatories of the AERAS agreement (Insure and Borrow with an Aggravated Health Risk) to:

• Reduce to5 years(instead of 10 years) the period of the right to be forgotten for most cancers (end of adjuvant treatments without relapse)
• Extend this right to other serious conditions (notably hepatitis C)
• Broaden access to theAERAS reference grid(capped surcharges, limited exclusions) for more pathologies

In 2026, these changes are fully implemented and continue to improve access to insurance for former patients.

5. Strengthening information obligations

Lending institutions must now:

• Systematically provide astandardized information sheet(SIS) updated
• Clearly indicate the cost of insurance over the entire duration of the loan
• Remind annually of the right to cancel within the year
• Communicate the updated cost of group insurance in case of changes

Failure to comply with these obligations exposes institutions to administrative sanctions (DGCCRF).

6. Summary of impacts for insurance stakeholders in 2026

Conclusion

In 2026, the Lemoine law establishes a stabilized framework that is fully integrated into the market. It has sustainably changed the value chain of borrower insurance by placing the borrower at the center of the system and promoting healthy competition.

For insurers, mutuals, and wholesale brokers, the challenge now lies in:

• Optimizing 100% digital processes without questionnaires for eligible loans
• The ability to offer competitive pricing in real-time
• The seamless integration of Lemoine rules into underwriting and scoring engines

Would you like a demonstration of our medical e-selection solution tailored to these new requirements?