Leaving a pot on the stove or a leaking washing machine... Hold on to your hat that it never happens to you! And if it does, you'd better be properly insured. But what is it really like, such tenant insurance? At Upliving, we think about everything...
"We wish our tenants a smooth move, without worrying about administration," says Jasper Paulissen, Upliving coach. "Together with Smooved, our partner for moving administration, we ensure that our residents can sleep easy: in the Smooved app you can arrange your internet, electricity, gas and even insurance..."
The compulsory tenant insurance (aka fire insurance)
"In Flanders, as a tenant you are legally required to insure your tenant liability," Jasper continues. "In the vernacular, this is called fire insurance.
In Brussels, this insurance is not mandatory, but Upliving requires it by contract. This way, the costs to the rental apartment are covered if you accidentally cause damage. To facilitate tenant administration, we use the easy Smooved app."
The app simulates the connections for a new tenant: gas, electricity, water, insurance...Via our Smooved insurance simulator, the Upliving resident receives an overview of the most advantageous proposals, receives more information without obligation and can immediately complete the connection digitally. "
Here's a brief list of all insurance options for renters in Belgium:
- Fire insurance
Fire insurance for tenants only covers damage to the fixed furnishings of the apartment. Burglary damage or damage to your furniture is not covered in this basic insurance. To avoid a financial drain, there are additional insurances.
- Contents insurance
"If you take out contents insurance, then your furniture and personal belongings are also insured against fire, water and storm damage. You determine in advance how much your total contents are worth, for example €25,000. If your belongings go up in flames, for example, you will receive part of the value back, but never more than the insured amount. The higher the insured amount, the higher your premium of course. An average contents policy for two people comes to about €60 a year."
- Theft Insurance
"With an additional theft insurance you get part of the value of stolen items reimbursed. Burglary damage is usually also insured. This insurance will cost you about € 50 per year."
- Family insurance
Family Insurance is something many nest leavers overlook. Because as soon as you have a new address, you are no longer covered by your parents' policy. This insurance covers the damage to third parties that you as a person have caused: you maneuver your bike against the neighbor's parked car, your dog bites the neighbor's girl, your flower pot falls on the brand new garden table of your downstairs neighbors ... Just imagine. For about € 100 you can rest assured. Singles pay less.
- Legal assistance insurance
you are entitled to legal mediation if there are disputes about damage to the rental property, as sometimes happens with a water leak. The insurer tries to mediate to avoid a lawsuit. If this does not work, it will share in the lawyer's fees and court costs. For a legal expenses insurance you count a small amount, about 10 euros per year."
Don't want to under- or over-insure? Then ask personal insurance advice!
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