Comprehensive home insurance

What does it cover?

The comprehensive home insurance policy will provide compensation in case of a loss occurring in your principal or secondary residence.
It generally covers fire, explosions, man-made disasters and technological risks, weather events, natural disasters, water damage, theft, glass breakage, and acts of vandalism. Check your policy.

It also serves as civil liability insurance in case you are responsible for a loss.
Be careful, your policy could have restrictions in terms of compensation.
For example, in the case of a civil liability, policies always provide a ceiling amount for the compensation of property damage.
Policies also very often provide for deductibles in the case of physical damage. If the amount of the damage is less than the deductible, you won’t be indemnified. If damage amounts to €500 and your deductible is €300, you will be reimbursed €200. Choose your policy carefully.

Who is it aimed at?

• You are a tenant

Comprehensive home insurance is mandatory as long as the property is not furnished (Act of 6 July 1989). Each year, you must provide a certificate of insurance to your landlord.

• You are an owner-landlord

You don’t have any legal obligation to contract non occupancy homeowners insurance, unless the property is not a condominium.

• You are an owner-occupant

Without being mandatory, insurance is strongly advised. It will provide for compensation in the event of a loss.

What to do in case of an emergency

• Theft

You have 24 hours to file a complaint with the police, then 48 hours to inform your insurance company by registered mail. Attach a copy of the complaint filed with the police, a detailed list of the stolen goods along with proof of purchase (receipts, warranty cards, photos, etc.).

• Water damage

Fill out the joint report with the victim or the person responsible for the damage and inform your insurance company within 5 days by registered mail.
Keep all receipts for repairs.

• Glass breakage

Secure your home, but be careful: wait for your insurance broker’s approval before calling a repairman. You have 72 hours to inform your insurance company by registered mail.

• Fire

Don’t throw anything away until an expert mandated by your insurance company has appraised the damage. Inform your insurance broker within 72 hours by registered mail.

How do you terminate a policy?

Policies are generally renewed by tacit reconduction.
To terminate your insurance policy, you must send a registered letter of termination with acknowledgment of receipt to your insurance company 2 months before the principal deadline.