Insurances
Belgium has a few insurance concepts that barely exist elsewhere, and family liability insurance is probably the biggest surprise for most internationals. The good news is that once you understand what each type actually covers, choosing the right ones is quick and inexpensive.
This page covers family and legal insurance, car insurance, and life insurance.
Overview
Which insurance types are relevant to you depends mainly on whether you have children, whether you own or drive a vehicle, and what your employer already provides. Some of these are legally required, others are simply common practice - this page makes clear which is which.
Family liability insurance
Family liability insurance (familiale verzekering) is one of the most common insurance policies in Belgium, and one most internationals have never encountered before. It covers damage or injury that you, your children, or even your pets accidentally cause to someone else. A few everyday examples:
- Your child breaks a window while playing at school.
- Your dog bites a visitor or another pet.
- You accidentally damage someone's property while cycling or moving house.
Schools and landlords in Belgium often expect you to have this cover, and it is inexpensive relative to what it protects against. You can compare options through providers such as BNP Paribas Fortis, KBC, or ING.
Legal assistance insurance
Legal assistance insurance (rechtsbijstand) covers legal costs if you end up in a dispute, for example with a landlord, employer, or another party. It is sometimes sold as a standalone policy and sometimes bundled with your family liability or car insurance, so check what you already have before buying a separate one.
If you need help with a legal question but are not sure whether you are covered, Flanders also offers free first-line legal advice (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand) as a starting point, regardless of your insurance status - see the Flemish government's legal aid page for details.
Car insurance
If you own or drive a vehicle registered in Belgium, third-party liability insurance is a compulsory insurance - you will need proof of it to register the car and get your number plate, so it has to be arranged before that step, not after. This basic cover pays for damage you cause to others, but not to your own vehicle. Many drivers add optional comprehensive cover (omnium) on top, which also covers damage to your own car. You can compare car insurance through providers such as ING or KBC
Life insurance and income protection
Life insurance pays out to your family if you pass away, and income protection insurance replaces part of your income if you cannot work long-term due to illness or disability. Some pension savings products, covered on our Pension page, already include a life insurance component, so it is worth checking what you have before adding a separate policy. BNP Paribas Fortis is one example of a provider offering income protection alongside standard life cover.
Good to know: many banks bundle insurance products together, which can be convenient but is not always the cheapest option. It is worth comparing at least two or three providers before committing, especially for family liability and car insurance, since price and coverage can vary more than people expect.
Sources
- BNP Paribas Fortis - Family liability insurance
- KBC - Family liability insurance
- ING - Family liability insurance
- Flemish government - Free legal aid
- ING - Car insurance
- KBC Brussels - Car insurance
- BNP Paribas Fortis - Income protection
