Tenant home insurance in Belgium

Yes. Tenant home insurance is mandatory for expats renting a home in Belgium, just as it is for Belgian residents.

Belgian law and rental contracts require tenants to have tenant liability insurance (BA locative / huurdersaansprakelijkheid) to cover damage they may cause to the rented property or to neighboring units. This obligation applies regardless of nationality or residency status.

Landlords typically require proof of insurance before handing over the keys, and the policy must be valid from the start of the rental contract.

If you do not have tenant liability insurance in Belgium, you may face serious financial and legal consequences.

Without insurance:

• A landlord may refuse to give you the keys
• You can be held personally liable for damage caused by fire, water leaks, or explosions
• You may have to pay high repair costs out of pocket
• You may be in breach of your rental contract

Tenant liability insurance protects you against these risks and is considered standard for all rentals in Belgium.

Tenant home insurance in Belgium can cover both, depending on the coverage included.

Tenant liability (BA locative) covers damage you cause to the rented building, such as walls, floors, ceilings, or built-in elements.

Household contents insurance covers damage to your personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, clothes, and decorations.

Tenant liability insurance is mandatory, while household contents insurance is usually optional but strongly recommended.

In practice, yes — but the terminology can be confusing.

In Belgium, tenant home insurance is often referred to as:

• Fire insurance
• Brandverzekering (Dutch)
• Assurance habitation or assurance locative (French)

While the name suggests fire coverage only, these policies typically cover multiple risks, including fire, water damage, storms, natural disasters, and tenant liability toward the landlord and neighbours.

No. A landlord’s insurance does not cover the tenant’s responsibility.

The landlord’s policy usually covers the building itself, but does not cover damage caused by the tenant. As a tenant, you are responsible for having your own tenant liability insurance (BA locative/huurdersaansprakelijkheid) to cover damages you may cause to the property or to neighboring apartments.

This is why landlords require tenants to take out their own insurance.

Yes, household contents (inhoud / contenu) are covered for damage caused by any of the insured events listed in the policy.

Contents are defined as all movable goods you own or are responsible for, including furniture, electronics, decorations, clothing, improvements you installed, and even your pets as part of covered property.

Theft & vandalism are not included by default in the basic policy.

They are available only if you choose the optional “Theft & vandalism” coverage.

To get tenant home insurance in Belgium, you usually need:

• Your rental address
• The start date of your rental contract
• Information about the property (apartment or house)

In most cases, no additional paperwork is required, and you can receive an insurance certificate immediately after signing up.

Yes. You can - and should - get tenant home insurance before moving in.

Your insurance should start on the same day as your rental contract begins. Landlords usually require proof of insurance before handing over the keys, so arranging coverage in advance avoids delays.

Simply submit your claim online, and our team will assist you quickly.

Tenant home insurance does not cover everything. Common exclusions include:

• Damage caused intentionally
• Damage caused by having pets
• Normal wear and tear
• Damage to items not declared or insured
• Certain high-value items without additional coverage
• Theft, if not included as an add-on

No. Damage caused by pets is not covered by tenant home insurance in Belgium, regardless of the insurer.

Tenant home insurance (including tenant liability and household contents insurance) does not cover damage caused by animals you own or are responsible for. This includes, for example, scratched floors, damaged doors, or destruction caused by a dog or cat inside the rented property.

What about pet liability insurance?

Damage caused by pets to third parties is covered under personal liability insurance (family insurance / BA familiale), which is a separate policy from tenant home insurance.

Personal liability insurance can cover:

• Injury caused by your pet to other people
• Damage caused by your pet to other people’s property

However, personal liability insurance:

• Does not cover damage to the rented property caused by your pet
• Does not cover damage to your own belongings
• Does not cover damage to the pet itself

Is there insurance that covers damage to my pet?

Insurance for veterinary costs or health issues affecting your pet is covered by pet health insurance, which is separate from both tenant home insurance and personal liability insurance.

Yes, if you prefer to switch to Feather for the English support or another reason, that is possible.

You need to check the cancellation terms of your current insurance and contact us so we can make sure that you have no gap in coverage.