Home insurance excess for tenants explained
Understanding the home insurance excess in Belgium: amount, calculation, impact on the premium and tips for choosing the right excess.
What is the excess in home insurance?
The excess is the amount that remains the policyholder’s responsibility after a claim. It is deducted from each compensation paid by the insurer. In Belgium, it is sometimes called the “franchise” or “eigen risico” (in Dutch).
For example: if you suffer EUR 2,000 in water damage and your excess is EUR 250, the insurer pays EUR 1,750 and you bear EUR 250.
The excess serves two purposes: discouraging small claims and reducing the premium. The higher the excess, the lower the annual premium.
Excess amounts in Belgium
| Excess level | Typical amount | Premium impact |
|---|---|---|
| Low | EUR 150-200 | Premium +15 to +25% |
| Standard | EUR 250-350 | Reference premium |
| High | EUR 500-1,000 | Premium -10 to -25% |
Most Belgian insurers offer a standard excess of EUR 250 to EUR 300. Some policies have different excesses depending on the type of claim (fire, water damage, theft, glass breakage).
Excess per claim type (common example)
| Claim type | Typical excess |
|---|---|
| Fire | EUR 250 |
| Water damage | EUR 250 |
| Theft | EUR 500 |
| Glass breakage | EUR 150 |
| Storm | EUR 250 |
How to choose your excess
Low excess (EUR 150-200)
Recommended if:
- You live on the ground floor (higher risk of water damage, theft)
- You are in an old building (more frequent claims)
- You have limited savings to cover unexpected costs
Standard excess (EUR 250-350)
Recommended for:
- Most tenant situations
- Good balance between premium and protection
- If you have some savings to cover the occasional excess
High excess (EUR 500-1,000)
Recommended if:
- You rarely file claims
- You have savings to cover unexpected costs
- You want to minimise the annual premium
Practical tips
- Do not choose the excess based on the premium alone: a EUR 100 saving on the premium means nothing if you pay EUR 750 more per claim
- Check whether there is a specific excess per risk: some policies have a low fire excess but a high theft excess
- The excess applies per claim: two water damage incidents in one year = two excesses
- Negotiate: many insurers allow you to adjust the excess when subscribing or at annual renewal
- Compare net cost: premium + expected excess over 5 years, not just the annual premium
For a comprehensive comparison, consult our guide on home insurance comparison for tenants or the tenant home insurance guide.