Cottage Rental Cancel; I put down half of the rental - What do they mean by Insurance?

I rented a cottage in Normandy thru a UK Based firm. I have used them in the past with no problems. But now I am being laid off(Redundant - The CEO wants to make more money). The rental firm is telling me that I can get my money back by using my insurance? What do they mean by that? I am an American living in Germany so maybe I do not understand the 'English' terms correctly?