Best professional liability insurances in Belgium in 2024

As for private individuals, professional liability insurance covers professionals against any damage caused to third parties during their work.

When is this insurance compulsory? What are the average prices of this insurance? How do you choose the right professional indemnity cover?

Find all the answers in this article, along with our advice on how to find the best professional liability insurance.

What is professional liability insurance?

Professional liability insurance (RC pro) is a contract designed to protect professionals. It covers damage caused by the professional or his company in the course of his business.

Omissions, imprudence, and negligence and their financial consequences are covered by the insurer. The insured will be covered whether the damage affects a customer, a third party, a partner, a supplier, or any other person connected with the professional activity.

Professional indemnity insurance is mainly for businesses and self-employed people providing services: real estate professionals, legal professionals, healthcare professionals, consultants, accountants, etc.

How much does professional liability insurance policy cost in Belgium?

The cost of professional liability insurance varies according to several criteria:

• The guarantees to be covered (the amount to be insured) ;
• The number of employees in your company and the trades involved;
• The type of profession carried out;
• Declared turnover;
• Legal form.

Here is a table of indicative prices, the actual cost depending on the above criteria:

Professional liability	Price of professional liability insurance / year
Professional liability for IT consultants	between €350 and €600
Professional liability consultant (all types)	between €660 and €1000
Professional liability for doctors	highly variable, many criteria involved
Construction company liability	between €450 and €2000
Business liability (all types)	between €450 and €1000
Professional liability for independent estate agents	between €600 and €800
Professional liability for estate agents	around €600
Professional liability for craftsmen	between €200 and €1000
Paramedical professional liability	between €100 and €300
Small business professional liability	from €400
Art & Photography Professional Liability	between €150 and €500

The more you work in a profession that is likely to give rise to costly claims (such as the medical and paramedical sectors), the higher the price of your professional insurance. The level of cover you choose will also be crucial in determining your quote. As each situation is unique, we recommend that you carry out an online simulation.

Is professional insurance compulsory?

Professional insurance is compulsory for most regulated professions, such as all medical and paramedical professions, and liberal professions such as lawyers and architects. For unregulated professions, professional indemnity cover is optional, but strongly recommended.

Note that people who do not have professional liability cover must pay for any damage caused in the course of their work. This policy helps to ensure the financial continuity of the business in the event of damage. What's more, being covered by a liability policy can be a reassuring argument for some customers if the guarantees provided by the insurance company are reassuring.

What is professional liability coverage?

Professional indemnity insurance (RC pro) in Belgium provides cover for material or immaterial damage caused to third parties in the course of a professional activity.

Here is a table with examples of claims covered, together with examples and amounts of cover for guidance only. Please note that the amounts may vary depending on the insurance policy and the specific needs of each professional.

Type of claim	Example	Amount of cover (indicative)
Material damage	You are a plumber who accidentally damages a pipe in a customer's home, causing a water leak that damages the floor and furniture.	Up to €1,000,000
Immaterial damage	You are an IT consultant and an error in your recommendation results in financial loss for your client.	Up to €500,000
Financial loss	You are an accountant and make a mistake in a client's tax returns, resulting in a financial penalty for the client.	Up to €1,500,000
Defamation	You are a journalist and publish a defamatory article against a person or company, resulting in legal action.	Up to €250,000
Medical error	You are a doctor and make an error in diagnosis or treatment, resulting in complications for your patient.	Up to €2,000,000

These amounts of cover are given as an indication only and may vary depending on the insurance company, the level of risk involved in the professional activity, and the specific needs of the professional. Be sure to read the general and special terms and conditions of your insurance policy carefully to find out the exact amounts of coverage provided by your professional liability policy.

Optional cover for professional liability policy

Here are some of the common optional coverages that you might consider adding to your professional liability policy:

• Legal protection: This provides cover for legal costs in the event of a dispute with a third party, including lawyers' fees, expert fees, court costs, etc.
• Damage to business property: This covers material damage to your business property, such as IT equipment, machinery, tools, etc.
• Product liability: If your company manufactures, distributes, or sells products, this covers damage caused by a defect in your products.
• Contractual liability: This extends your professional liability cover to cover damage caused to third parties under specific contracts you have entered into.
• Cyber liability: If your business processes personal data or is subject to cyber attacks, this cover protects you against the risks associated with cybercrime and data breaches.
• Business interruption: This cover compensates you for loss of income and fixed costs if your business is temporarily unable to operate due to an insured loss.
• Costs of recalling defective products: If you have to recall or withdraw defective products from the market, this cover pays the associated costs.
• Environmental liability: This cover protects you against damage to the environment caused in the course of your business.
• Post-delivery cover: Damage occurring after delivery is covered. For example, a computer specialist can cover his work after it has been completed.
• Damage to reputation
• Key man cover
• Repayment of services guarantee

What does professional insurance not cover?

Exclusions from professional insurance, including professional indemnity insurance, are situations and types of claims for which the insurer will not provide cover. Exclusions may vary depending on the insurance company and the type of policy taken out, but here are some common examples of exclusions that may be found in professional insurance:

• Intentional fault: Deliberate or intentional acts causing damage will not usually be covered by professional indemnity insurance.
• Prior claims: Claims relating to events that occurred before the policy period may be excluded.
• Claims relating to activities not covered: If you are engaged in an activity that is not explicitly covered by your policy, claims relating to that activity may be excluded.
• Claims relating to illegal acts: Damage caused during the commission of illegal acts will not be covered.
• Claims for specific activities: Certain high-risk professions or activities, such as nuclear safety activities or extreme sports, may be excluded from cover.
• Claims for major environmental damage: Certain types of major environmental damage may be excluded from cover.
• Claims for compliance issues: Claims arising from non-compliance with professional or legal regulations may be excluded.
• Fraud claims: Claims caused by fraudulent or malicious acts may be excluded.

If you have any doubts about certain exclusions or if you would like to add specific cover to meet your business needs, don't hesitate to discuss them with your insurer or insurance broker. They can help you choose a policy that best suits your needs and mitigates the risks associated with your professional activity.

Canceling business insurance: when and how?

The policyholder may choose to cancel the contract for various reasons:

• Cancellation on expiry: the policyholder cancels the contract on the expiry date, giving the required notice (generally 1 to 3 months before the contract expiry date)
• Cancellation during the term of the contract in certain situations, particularly in the event of..:
  • change of professional status
  • sale or closure of the company, bankruptcy, withdrawal of authorization.
  • reduction of risk
  • changes to insurance conditions or rates.

To terminate a professional insurance contract, you need to send a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt. For most reasons, termination takes place within one month of the day after the insurer receives the request.

You can download our sample letter of cancellation for professional insurance. Be sure to consult your contract for the compulsory information that must appear on this document. You will be asked for the contract number, the reason for cancellation, and your contact details.

The insurer may also choose to terminate the contract at the end of the insurance period. Cancellation may occur in the event of omission or inaccuracy in the description of the risks at the time of taking out the policy. Non-payment of premiums may also result in termination of the contract. In the event of a change in the legislation governing professional liability, the insurer has 6 months in which to cancel the contract.

Operating liability and professional liability: what are the differences?

Here is a comparative table explaining the differences between operational liability and professional liability:

	Operational liability (Operational Liability)	Professional civil liability (RC Professionnelle)
Definition	Covers damage caused to third parties in the course of the company's business activities.	Covers damage caused to third parties as a result of errors, negligence, or professional misconduct committed by the company or its employees in the course of their professional activities.
Field	Generally associated with the company's operational activities, such as accidents in the workplace, damage to company property, etc.	Specifically designed to cover risks associated with the practice of a particular profession, such as professional advice, legal services, healthcare, etc.
Liability	Liability relates to the day-to-day running of the business and the actions of its employees in the course of their duties.	Liability relating to the practice of the profession and the consequences of professional advice or services provided by the company.
Examples	- A customer slips and injures himself in a retailer's shop. - A customer suffers damage caused by a defective product sold by the company.	- A lawyer makes a legal error resulting in financial losses for his client. - A doctor commits medical negligence resulting in injury to a patient.
Importance	Important for physical companies or companies with a workplace open to the public. Mandatory in many cases.	Crucial for professionals offering services or advice to clients. Often required by regulatory bodies or professional associations.
Sectors	Applicable to a variety of sectors, including retail, catering, hospitality, etc.	Mainly required in fields such as law, health, engineering, finance, etc.

Make sure you understand these differences so that you can take out the right insurance cover for the risks associated with your business or profession.

Most of the time, operational cover is included in professional liability. This is often an essential element for professionals whose work may cause damage outside the scope of the initial contract. Professional indemnity insurance is often taken out by professionals who need intellectual liability protection. In particular, professional indemnity insurance is compulsory for certain trades.

Do I have to take out the contractor’s insurance?

As a self-employed entrepreneur in business, you are not immune to events that could jeopardize your results and your business. That's why it's vital - and sometimes compulsory - for all entrepreneurs to take out insurance against certain unforeseen events.

Here is a list of the types of business insurance that are compulsory:

• Objective civil liability, fire, or explosion insurance (depending on your place of business) ;
• Work accident insurance (if you have staff);
• Vehicle liability insurance (if you have any);
• Self-employed professional indemnity insurance and ten-year insurance if you work in the construction sector;
• Professional liability insurance if you work in a regulated profession.

We also recommend that contractors protect themselves and their businesses by taking out additional insurance. There are several types:

• Insurance to protect your liability as a self-employed person: Fire and explosion liability, operational liability, post-delivery liability, professional liability, vehicle liability, ten-year liability (construction sector), cyber insurance.
• Insurance for physical assets: fire insurance, theft insurance, computer and electronic equipment insurance, and cyber-risk insurance.
• Insurance to protect you and your employees: we recommend workplace accident insurance.
• Pensions: it's up to you to choose the retirement savings scheme that suits you best. As a self-employed person, it's vital to think about how you can contribute to your future.

9 tips for choosing the best professional liability insurance

Before taking out professional indemnity insurance in Belgium, here are some important tips to consider to ensure that you choose the right insurance cover for your professional needs:

1. Evaluate your risks and identify the amount of cover: Identify the specific risks associated with your professional activity. Take into account the types of services you provide, interactions with customers, suppliers, and third parties, and any errors or negligence that may occur in the course of your work.
2. Consult several insurers: Do some in-depth research and request quotes from several insurance companies. Compare offers, cover, exclusions, and excesses, and choose a reputable insurer specializing in your sector of activity.
3. Check the cover limits and compensation ceilings: Make sure that the cover limits proposed by the insurer are adequate to deal with any disputes or claims. Insufficient cover could expose you to significant financial risks.
4. Sift through the exclusions in your contract: Pay attention to the exclusions in the insurance policy. Certain activities or situations may not be covered by your policy. Ask the insurer for clarification if necessary.
5. Check the time limits for declaring a claim: Understand the time limits within which you must declare a claim to your insurer. A delay in reporting could affect your right to compensation.
6. Consider third-party advice: Talk to other contractors in your industry to get their recommendations on the insurance companies they work with and the types of coverage they have.
7. Consult an insurance broker: If you feel overwhelmed by the options available or are unsure about the contract terms, consider using an insurance broker. They can guide you through the selection process and help you find cover tailored to your needs.
8. Read the insurance contract carefully: Before signing the contract, make sure you read all the general conditions, cover, exclusions, and cancellation procedures carefully. Ask the insurer questions if any points are unclear.
9. Update your insurance as your business changes: Regularly inform your insurer of any major changes in your business to ensure that your coverage remains adequate.