Insuring a Vehicle in Belgium

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Insuring a Vehicle in Belgium

In Belgium it is the car and not the driver that is insured. All vehicles must have at least third party insurance to cover any physical harm or damage to a third party or their property. Proof of insurance must be carried at all times and there are penalties for drivers of vehicles without valid insurance. 

Car Insurance

Car insurance in Belgium is relatively expensive as it is subject to VAT. The premium depends on various factors such as the make and model of car, its power and its age, as well as the age and driving history of the driver. Some companies have differing premiums according to the age, gender and place of residence of the driver.

Belgian car insurance has a system of no-claims bonuses, known as the Bonus-Malus system: annual rates may increase if a claim is made when an accident was the driver's fault; if the driver has no accidents the rates will decrease. A no-claims bonus accumulated in another country may be transferred to a Belgian insurance policy as long as the driver obtains written evidence from the present or previous car insurance company.

• For information on how the Belgian Bonus-Malus systems works: Click here (PDF in French)

Types of Insurance

• Third Party Liability Insurance (Responsabilité Civile/wetteligjke aansprakelijkheids verzekering): This provides cover against damage to third party property resulting from an accident
• Part Comprehensive (Tiers Personne/Mini Casco): This is third party, fire and theft cover
• Fully Comprehensive (Tous Risques/Volledig Casco): This policy covers virtually everything

In the Event of an Accident

Use the Accident Report Form (Constat Amiable/Europees aanrijdingsformulier), obtained from the insurance company. Both parties must sign this form. Take the name, address and insurance details of all parties involved and any witnesses and the registration numbers of the vehicles. Drivers have up to one week to send the form to their insurance company.

An excess is often payable for a claim depending on the car's value.

Cancelling a Car Insurance Contract

In Belgium, three months written notice must be given when cancelling car insurance. It is possible to have a clause inserted into the policy allowing short term cancellation, for example, for those who are obliged to transfer out of Belgium for employment reasons.

The Green Card

Belgian insurers automatically provide a Green Card which extends normal insurance to other European countries. The Green Card must be kept in the car at all times.

• For more information on the Green Card system see the Council of Bureaux
• See also AngloINFO INFOrmation page The Green Card System

Further Information

• The European Union website Europa
• Website of the Association of British Insurers
• AngloINFO INFOmation page Driving in Belgium 
• AngloINFO INFOmation page Accidents in Belgium