Which insurance policies protect your employees?

An accident at work can happen fast. It’s no wonder you have to take out occupational accident insurance as soon as you hire someone, even for one day. This will also give you peace of mind as an employer. Moreover, you can offer your employees many other insurance policies as an extra incentive.

Occupational accident insurance

Compulsory insurance

You have a legal duty to protect your employees against loss of income, disability and death at work in the event of an accident. If you are not insured, you can be fined and even prosecuted.

The Accidents at Work Fund (FEDRIS) automatically covers the costs of uninsured work-related accidents. The employer is billed and fined depending on how long the employee was uninsured and how many employees were involved.

Who is it for?

Anyone who is contractually employed by your company, including students, temporary workers, interns, and trainees.

What does the insurance entail?

In the first place, you protect employees against accidents that occur at work during working hours and have a causal link. For example, someone who suffers a heart attack while photocopying is not covered by occupational accident insurance. This is because there is no clear link between the activity and the consequence. The physical or mental 'trauma' must also render the employee unfit for work.

The insurance also applies to accidents sustained while commuting between home and the workplace. An important condition: only if the employee takes the ‘normal’ route between both locations. In principle, small detours are not a problem. If your employee drops off his or her children at school on the way to work – or picks them up after work –, this is considered a normal route. However, if your employee goes bargain-hunting after working hours, he or she won’t be covered by the occupational accident insurance.

After the accident, you have 8 days to report and submit the so-called 'first observation' certificate.

Volunteers insurance

The 2005 law requires all associations that employ volunteers to insure them against civil liability. Volunteers can also be insured in the event of an accident, but this coverage is optional (ordinary law insurance).

The Flemish Community Commission (VGC) offers free insurance to non-profit organisations working in the Dutch language in Brussels. The policy ensures 100 volunteer days per year and covers volunteers for civil liability, physical accidents and legal assistance. 
The COCOF offers free insurance to French-speaking non-profit organisations working in Brussels. The insurance covers 200 days of volunteer work per year. Coverage includes civil liability, physical accidents and legal assistance. 

Group insurance for supplementary pension

You can also offer group insurance to your employees. This helps make their salary packages more attractive and is the best way to offer an extra-legal benefit without increasing their wage costs. You decide how much you want to contribute, and contributions are tax-deductible.

To learn more about group insurance, you may reach out to an insurance broker.

Group health insurance

Taking out group health insurance through your company offers several advantages: 

• Today, it is regarded as a fundamental component of the salary package, significantly more beneficial than a pay rise. 
• Unlike a contract taken out individually, there are no medical formalities involved; 
• The insurance encompasses all pre-existing conditions. 
• You can take advantage of the benefits of a group contract at a competitive price even after leaving your employer, provided you have maintained a minimum of two years without interruption under a group contract.

As an employer, you can offer your employees various types of cover: 

• Hospitalisation insurance: this covers your employees' medical expenses in the event of hospitalisation.
• Outpatient insurance: this covers routine medical expenses (doctor, physiotherapy, osteopathy, speech therapy, pharmacy, etc.). 
• Dental insurance: this covers dental expenses throughout the year (preventive and curative treatments, orthodontics, etc.).

Employees value outpatient insurance more and use it more frequently. That's understandable: the annual cost of health care for Belgians is €6.6 billion for outpatient costs (compared with €1.4 billion for inpatient costs).

One employee is already enough to meet the conditions. You take out a collective insurance policy for yourself and your staff. While you pay the insurance premium as an employer, you may ask your employee(s) for a contribution. Even though the premium is a non-deductible professional cost, it saves you from paying social security contributions.

Travel insurance

If you and your employees are frequently on the move, consider obtaining travel insurance:

• Medical expenses insurance: covers a range of medical costs if you fall ill or have an accident during your trip.
•  Cancellation insurance: offers coverage in case of cancellation or interruption of your trip due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Luggage insurance: safeguards against loss or damage to your luggage. 
• Breakdown assistance: provides support for your vehicle while travelling.

Conclusion

The government requires self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs to protect their employees against the consequences of accidents at work. You may also consider optional insurance for your employees’ supplementary pension or hospital expenses.

Insurance is a complex subject, and it's not always easy to find your way around. Fortunately, you can turn to an insurance broker for advice. 

^{This content was enhanced in 2025 with further insights from insurance brokerYago}