In Belgium

Fire insurance (assurance incendie / brandverzekering) is the basic property insurance in Belgium. While the name suggests it only covers fire, modern fire insurance policies typically include a range of perils: fire, lightning, explosions, storm, hail, water damage, and natural disasters.

Legal obligations. In most Belgian Regions, the tenant is legally required to insure against fire risk. The lease almost always includes a clause requiring the tenant to take out fire insurance and provide proof to the landlord.

Who insures what?

  • Landlord: insures the building itself (structure, walls, roof, fixed installations)
  • Tenant: insures their contents, civil liability for rental risks, and abandonment of recourse

How it works

Tenant’s fire insurance. The tenant’s policy covers three key elements:

  1. Contents: personal belongings damaged or destroyed by an insured peril
  2. Tenant’s liability: damage to the rented property caused by the tenant’s fault (e.g. a fire starting from the kitchen)
  3. Abandonment of recourse: waives the insurer’s right to claim against the landlord or neighbours

Cost. A tenant’s fire insurance typically costs 80 to 200 EUR/year depending on the property size and coverage level.

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Good to know
In a co-ownership, the building’s fire insurance is taken out by the property manager on behalf of all co-owners. This policy covers the common areas and the building structure. Individual co-owners should check whether their lot’s interior is covered or if they need supplementary insurance.

Practical example

A fire starts in Nadia’s kitchen due to a forgotten pan. The fire causes 15,000 EUR damage to the apartment (walls, ceiling, kitchen units). Nadia’s tenant fire insurance covers her liability towards the landlord. The landlord’s building insurance covers the structural damage. Without insurance, Nadia would personally owe the full 15,000 EUR to the landlord.