Ontdek onze samenvatting van de belangrijkste headlines in de verzekeringssector in België met slechts een scroll!
Insurance tax delayed: thousands of customers to be reimbursed
25/03/2026 – Source
Belgium’s planned insurance tax hike has been delayed after parliament postponed the vote on the programme law. The tax on non-life insurance premiums was set to rise from 9.25% to 9.6% on April 1st, affecting home, car and family insurance policies. On a €500 annual premium, the increase would have amounted to just €1.75, with the measure expected to generate €50 million per year.
Without a social partners’ advisory opinion, the tax increase has been delayed to May 1st at the earliest by the Chamber of Representatives. The problem: insurers had already sent out renewal notices factoring in the new rate. Industry federation Assuralia expressed strong frustration, noting that companies must now process tens of thousands of reimbursements for customers who were billed the higher amount prematurely.
P&V’s Sweet Sixty program wins HR excellence award 2026
23/03/2026 – Source
The initiative, part of its Community Inclusion & Wellbeing program, has been awarded the HR Excellence Award 2026 in the Best Employers Organisations category. Designed to support employees aged 59 and above, the program helps them continue working with motivation, recognition, and peace of mind in the context of longer careers. Widely praised by participants, the initiative stands out as an inspiring example of inclusive HR practices, ensuring that employees feel heard, supported, and empowered at a key stage of their professional journey.
The consumer group also warns that Datassur’s practices could enable automated profiling, and questions whether the company’s “legitimate interest” in holding this data is proportional to individuals’ rights. Test Achats is urging the authority to ensure full GDPR compliance.
AG launches Top pet insurance
23/03/2026 – Source
According to a recent iVOX survey commissioned by AG, while 7 in 10 owners see their pet as part of the family, only 1 in 10 animals is insured.
Despite strong emotional bonds, reflected in daily habits and spending, many owners are unprepared for unexpected veterinary costs. Nearly 4 in 10 pets have already undergone surgery, and 1 in 5 owners has faced bills exceeding €500. In this context, AG is launching Top Chien & Chat, a simple and accessible pet insurance designed to cover a large share of veterinary costs, from consultations to surgeries.
Mapping the pensions of belgian retirees
21/03/2026 – Source
A new Belfius Research study based on anonymised transaction data from 270,000 retired clients reveals that 8 out of 10 Belgian retirees spend more than their legal pension, with the average gap reaching 30%, roughly €600 per month nationwide. This extra spending is primarily funded through supplementary income such as group insurance, savings, and investments.
Regional disparities are notable but not dramatic. The highest legal pensions are found in municipalities along the Luxembourg border (around €2,100/month), largely driven by cross-border workers, while Brussels records the lowest median at €1,796. In terms of overspending relative to the legal pension, Brabant Wallon leads at +48%, followed by Flemish Brabant at +39%, whereas Hainaut remains the most modest at +21%.
When total income is considered, including rental and investment revenues, regional differences narrow significantly, with medians of €2,723 in Flanders, €2,717 in Wallonia and €2,616 in Brussels. The study concludes that Belgium’s pension landscape is broadly homogeneous at the macro level, with differences shaped more by local economic history and supplementary pension building than by regional policy divides.
Touring travel assistance: Over 5,000 calls during carnival holidays
19/03/2026 – Source
Touring received 5,225 calls during the Carnival holidays, resulting in 1,598 on-the-ground interventions. Medical assistance accounted for 500 cases, including 135 repatriations, while ski accidents dropped to 53 (versus 87 last year), largely due to slope closures caused by heavy snowfall and avalanche risks in the Alps. Most ski injuries involved shoulder fractures and dislocations, with head trauma continuing to decline as helmet use grows.On the technical side, 1,037 roadside assistance calls were handled, with tyre, battery, and brake issues being the most common. Most calls originated from neighbouring countries and Spain, reflecting the enduring popularity of car travel among Belgian holidaymakers.
Ethias Solidarity 2026: €350,000 for green spaces and social resilience
12/03/2026 – Source
The Ethias Impact Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, has launched the 5th edition of its Ethias Solidarity call for projects. This year’s edition marks a new direction, shifting focus from youth poverty to initiatives combining social cohesion and climate resilience. With a total budget of €350,000 (up to €35,000 per project), the fund aims to improve living environments around social housing while helping communities better adapt to the growing challenges of climate change.
Since its launch in 2022, Ethias Solidarity has already supported dozens of projects across Belgium, distributing over €1.3 million. This new edition further reinforces Ethias’ commitment to evolving its philanthropic approach and addressing emerging societal challenges.
Banque en classe : empowering the Next Generation
12/03/2026 – Source
As part of Global Money Week, several initiatives are reinforcing the importance of financial and insurance education for young people.
Celebrating its first anniversary, Banque en classe, an initiative by Febelfin, has quickly become a key driver of financial literacy in Belgian schools. In just one year, it has reached over 3,000 students across 162 schools, supported by a network of more than 1,100 volunteers. Through interactive, curriculum-aligned sessions led by professionals from banking and insurance, the program brings real-world financial knowledge directly into classrooms. With the addition of Assuralia, the offering is further enriched by RiskIt!, a quiz introducing students to insurance concepts and risk management through practical scenarios.
At the European level, Insurance Europe is also contributing with its “Let’s talk insurance” conversation cards. Designed for young people and their families, these cards encourage discussions around money, risk, and insurance through everyday situations. Built in line with the EU-OECD Financial Competence Framework, they aim to help young people better understand risks, anticipate financial consequences, and make informed decisions.
Ethias has made a strategic €1.5 million investment in Ai5
05/03/2026 – Source
Ethias is set to expand its network from 37 to 47 agencies by 2028 as part of its “Network of the Future” strategy. This plan includes opening 12 new branches, relocating 14, and modernizing the entire network to reinforce its local footprint across Belgium.
At a time when many insurers are reducing their physical presence, Ethias is making a deliberate bet on proximity, combining digital tools with human interaction in a fully phygital model. This approach supports its 1.3 million policyholders and responds to a clear demand for personalized guidance, even among younger, digital-native customers.
With over 270,000 in-branch visits annually and a strong Net Promoter Score of 71, physical agencies remain a key driver of customer satisfaction and business growth. Backed by advanced data analysis, this expansion aims to strengthen Ethias’ market presence, support new customer segments, and sustain long-term growth.
Marine insurers withdraw war risk coverage in the gulf
04/03/2026 – Source
Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Persian Gulf are reshaping the marine insurance landscape. According to Marsh, global insurers are now withdrawing or revising war risk coverage for ships operating in the region.
Areas including the Strait of Hormuz have become increasingly difficult to insure. As a result, some shipowners face policy cancellations or sharply rising premiums, while major shipping companies have begun suspending operations in the Middle East.
In response, discussions are emerging around public intervention, including potential US-backed insurance solutions to stabilize the situation and reassure market players.
As risks intensify, the situation highlights the critical role of insurance in global trade and how quickly coverage can adapt in the face of geopolitical disruption.
Escape Bullying : Belgium’s first escape game tackling school harassment
03/03/2026 – Source
AXA Belgium has launched Escape Bullying : the country’s first escape game dedicated to raising awareness about school bullying, an issue affecting 6 in 10 young people in Belgium.
Designed as both a physical experience in Brussels and an online platform, the initiative immerses participants in real-life scenarios to help them understand the mechanisms, warning signs, and impacts of bullying. By placing players in the story of a 13-year-old student, the experience encourages active learning through interaction rather than traditional awareness campaigns.
Beyond prevention, AXA reinforces its societal commitment by becoming the first Belgian insurer to extend its legal protection offering with dedicated psychological support for children facing bullying; combining education, protection, and concrete support.
Brussels Attacks: €88.2 Million Paid to Victims by Insurers
02/03/2026 – Source
On the 10th anniversary of the March 22, 2016 attacks in Brussels, Assuralia has released updated figures on victim compensation. Insurers have paid €88.2 million to date, primarily covering physical injuries, moral damages, and long-term care needs, with payments continuing to rise as cases evolve.
In total, the cost of the attacks is estimated at €144.1 million, including €55.9 million still reserved for future expenses such as lifelong medical care and annuities. A total of 1,419 victims have filed claims, with the majority of cases now settled, while the most severe cases continue to require long-term support.
This milestone also highlights a key regulatory shift: since June 2024, Belgium has introduced a solidarity-based compensation scheme ensuring that all victims of terrorism receive support, regardless of their individual insurance coverage, marking a significant step forward in victim protection.
