Guarantee the safety and well-being of your employees.
Industrial accident insurance is not just a formality, it is an essential tool for employers.
This insurance is required by law if you employ staff.
Workplace accidents
What is work accident insurance?
Workplace accident insurance provides financial protection to private sector workers against the consequences of workplace accidents.
Whether the accident occurs in the workplace or while travelling to and from work, this insurance guarantees the necessary support. It includes various compensations and covers various costs inevitably involved in a workplace accident.
Why occupational accident insurance?
Occupational accident insurance is mandatory
In Belgium, it is a legal requirement for employers to take out workplace accident insurance. Failure to comply with this obligation can lead to high fines, legal problems and reputational damage for your company.
By complying with legal requirements, you ensure that your business operates within the boundaries of the law. You minimise the risk of criminal consequences.
Reputation and employee relations
Workplace accident insurance shows your employees that their welfare is important. And that you are willing to protect them from unforeseen circumstances. This contributes to a positive work environment and builds strong employee relations.
Moreover, potential employees are reassured; they enter a safe environment.
Preventive measures
Workplace accident insurance serves as an additional incentive to take preventive measures sooner. You ensure a safe workplace. This reduces accidents and injuries, which in turn results in lower insurance premiums and higher efficiency of your business operations.
What is insured?
- Industrial accident insurance provides financial support so that workers can fully focus on their recovery without worrying about their income. The insurance intervenes to reimburse wage loss for temporary or permanent incapacity for work (as a result of a work-related accident).
- In addition, the insurance also covers the cost of medical care (e.g. hospitalisation, treatment, medication and rehabilitation). This means that workers have access to necessary medical care that facilitates their recovery process.
- In addition, any additional costs covered, such as the purchase of prostheses, travel to/from medical appointments and third-party assistance for daily care. Workers are provided with all necessary resources to continue their lives as normally as possible after a workplace accident.
Note that the legal policy has a certain ceiling indexed annually applies to allowances. This means that employees with higher gross wages may face unexpected surprises if the allowances are not sufficient to fully cover their loss of income. Therefore, there are various extension options within the statutory policy (e.g. extension 'excess').
Sometimes it is not clear whether an accident can actually be considered a workplace accident. For example team-building activities, working from home or temporary assignments abroad. Fortunately, there are solutions to cover these situations, because accidents do not only happen in the workplace.
By taking out comprehensive insurance, which includes private accidents covers, you ensure that your employees are protected no matter where the accident takes place. Whether that is during a relaxing walk in the park, a sports activity, or even at home. This comprehensive cover provides peace of mind for both employees and employers. Everyone is financially protected from the consequences of accidents.
For a certain period of time after a workplace accident, the employee is entitled to a guaranteed salary. This guaranteed salary is paid in full by the employer, but only 90% of this amount can be recovered through the work accident insurer. Moreover, the employer cannot recover the NSSO contribution. This is a significant financial burden for employers and can have a negative impact on company finances.
To mitigate this risk, comprehensive work accident insurance provides guaranteed wages beyond the legal obligations. This additional cover ensures that these financial costs are also taken care of. Thus, employers are financially protected from the impact of a guaranteed wage. It enables employers to meet their obligations while supporting their employees during the recovery period after a workplace accident.
Comprehensive cover for guaranteed pay provides additional peace of mind for employees. Employees can fully concentrate on their recovery without having to worry about their income during their absence. By investing in work accident insurance with guaranteed pay, you as an employer are also showing commitment to your employees' welfare, even in difficult times.
Frequently asked questions
Discover the most frequently asked questions about this insurance. Over the years, we have collected this information and summarise it here. Easy, right?
Is compulsory workplace accident insurance only necessary for physically demanding occupations?
Compulsory workplace accident insurance is required for all workers, regardless of occupation. Accidents can occur in all kinds of work environments and functions, even in office environments. The purpose of this insurance is to protect workers from financial consequences of accidents while at work, no matter what occupation they are in.
What happens if an employee is injured and my company does not have compulsory workplace accident insurance?
This insurance is required by law. If your company does not have workplace accident insurance, you could be held liable for medical expenses, disability and other damages arising from the accident. This can have serious financial consequences for your company, including heavy fines, legal fees and even jail sentences.
Should temporary or seasonal workers also be covered by work accident insurance?
As long as someone works under your supervision and on behalf of your company, that person should be insured. Even temporary and seasonal workers. It is important that all workers, regardless of their working hours, have the same protection.
What will be not reimbursed by work accident insurance?
- Material damage such as damaged clothing
- Possible moral damage
- Diseases not resulting from an accident
- Intentionally caused accidents by the victim
This enumeration is not exhaustive. Therefore, please refer to the general terms and conditions of insurers' workplace accidents.
Why should you choose the additional guaranteed salary option?
As an employer, you will be reimbursed 90% of gross pay as standard. A guaranteed salary reimburses the remaining 10%, as well as social security contributions.
As an employer, you can recover the following during the first month of disability:
- The difference between the gross salary you as an employer have to pay your employee during the first month and the compensation you receive from the work accident insurer.
- Employer social security contributions you usually pay during the insured period with guaranteed pay.
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