Fire insurance for landlords in Belgium
Fire insurance for landlords in Belgium: coverage, difference with non-occupant landlord insurance, price and tax deductibility. Complete guide.
Why landlords should have fire insurance
Even though the tenant has their own fire insurance, the landlord needs separate coverage. The tenant’s insurance covers the tenant’s liability — not damage from unknown causes, building defects, or vacancy periods.
Without landlord fire insurance, you bear the full cost of:
- Fire damage of unknown origin
- Damage during vacancy periods (between tenants)
- Structural damage beyond the tenant’s liability
- Claims where the tenant is uninsured or under-insured
For multi-property landlords, the risk multiplies with each property. A single fire can cause EUR 100,000+ in damage.
Coverage and guarantees
Standard landlord fire insurance
| Guarantee | Description |
|---|---|
| Building damage | Walls, roof, floors, fixed installations |
| Civil liability | Damage to neighbours caused by a building defect |
| Vacancy cover | Damage during periods without a tenant |
| Legal defence | Legal costs in case of dispute |
| Lost rent (optional) | Rent compensation during reconstruction |
Additional options
- Rent loss guarantee: compensates lost rent during reconstruction (10-15% premium increase)
- Tenant default gap: covers the gap if the tenant’s insurance is insufficient
- All-risks: covers accidental damage not otherwise covered
Non-occupant landlord insurance vs standard fire insurance
| Criterion | Standard fire insurance | Non-occupant landlord insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Target | Owner-occupier | Landlord |
| Vacancy cover | No | Yes |
| Tenant gap cover | No | Yes |
| Landlord civil liability | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Lost rent | No | Optional |
| Price | EUR 100-250/year | EUR 150-400/year |
For landlords, the non-occupant landlord insurance is the more appropriate product as it specifically addresses rental risks.
In practice
- One policy per property or a multi-property contract (10-20% discount from the 3rd property)
- Tax deductible: the premium is deductible from rental income (lump sum or actual costs depending on the tax regime)
- Coordinate with the tenant’s insurance: ensure there are no coverage gaps between the two policies
- Review annually: update the insured value to reflect any renovations or market changes
- Keep certificates: the rental management software can centralise insurance documents for all properties
For creating a lease with proper insurance obligations, use our online lease generator. For more information, consult our guide on landlord insurance.