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If you have no insurance
Check with your region’s Disaster Fund (Fonds des Calamités) to see if you may obtain financial assistance. This fund can be used to grant compensation in the event of an exceptional natural phenomenon that has been recognised as a natural disaster by the authorities.
Since 1 July 2014, the Disaster Fund’s competences have been transferred to the regions, which set their own possible intervention modality.
Each Disaster Fund sets its own conditions of intervention.
Walloon Disaster Fund
Wallonia is currently modifying the rules for compensation of the Regional Fund for Public Disaster in case of floods. The goal is to be able to better help the citizens who have suffered damages. Wallonia will release more information on this subject as soon as possible.
Flemish Disaster Fund
Have you suffered material damage as a result of a natural disaster recognised by the Flemish Government? Then, you can exceptionally ask the Flemish Disaster Fund for compensation. The Flemish Disaster Fund will compensate part of the damage. This only applies to damage that is not insurable under your simple fire policy OR that is insurable if you can prove that you were entitled to a living wage or equivalent compensation at the time of the disaster.
What do you need to do?
- Report the damage to the Flemish Disaster Fund. You have up to 60 days to report the damage after its occurrence. On the basis of these damage reports, these damages can be recognized as disasters.
- File a claim for compensation after the event has been recognised as a disaster.
If you have an insurance
- Report your damage as soon as possible to your insurer, who will open a file and go on site to help you or send an expert if necessary.
- Ask you intermediary for advice and assistance in putting your file together mainly to provide evidence of the damage you have suffered. You shall take all reasonable measures to prevent and mitigate the consequences of the suffered damage.
What you need to know…
Is your home or are outside facilities damaged?
- See the checklist about floods.
- Any fire insurance compensates for material damages caused, among others, by floods.
There is one exception : if the house is located in a risk area and has been built more than 18 months after the publication of the decree delimiting the risk area in the Belgian Official Journal.
If you are not insured against fire AND if on the day of the disaster you are entitled to a social integration income or similar income, you can request a certificate from the CPAS (Public Social Assistance Centre) of your municipality in order to submit your file to the Regional Disaster Fund.
Check your contract to know what exactly is covered: insurers generally offer guarantee extension.
Also check whether you have an assistance coverage: if you do, professionals will be sent to the site.
If you are not fully compensated, check with the Disaster Fund whether you are entitled to financial assistance.
Walloon Disaster Fund
Wallonia is currently modifying the rules for compensation of the Regional Fund for Public Disaster in case of floods. The goal is to be able to better help the citizens who have suffered damages. Wallonia will release more information on this subject as soon as possible.
Flemish Disaster Fund
Have you suffered material damage as a result of a natural disaster recognised by the Flemish Government? Then, you can exceptionally ask the Flemish Disaster Fund for compensation. The Flemish Disaster Fund will compensate part of the damage. This only applies to damage that is not insurable under your simple fire policy OR that is insurable if you can prove that you were entitled to a living wage or equivalent compensation at the time of the disaster.
What do you need to do?
- Report the damage to the Flemish Disaster Fund. You have up to 60 days to report the damage after its occurrence. On the basis of these damage reports, these damages can be recognized as disasters.
- File a claim for compensation after the event has been recognised as a disaster.
Has your vehicle been flooded ?
- If your vehicle is fully covered (omnium), your insurer will compensate you.
- If your vehicle is not fully covered :
- Check your fire insurance policy. The vehicle may be covered if it is, for example, in the garage or parked within 1km of your home.
- Contact the Disaster Fund to check if you are entitled to a financial assistance.
Walloon Disaster Fund
Wallonia is currently modifying the rules for compensation of the Regional Fund for Public Disaster in case of floods. The goal is to be able to better help the citizens who have suffered damages. Wallonia will release more information on this subject as soon as possible.
Flemish Disaster Fund
Have you suffered material damage as a result of a natural disaster recognised by the Flemish Government? Then, you can exceptionally ask the Flemish Disaster Fund for compensation. The Flemish Disaster Fund will compensate part of the damage. This only applies to damage that is not insurable under your simple fire policy OR that is insurable if you can prove that you were entitled to a living wage or equivalent compensation at the time of the disaster.
What do you need to do?
- Report the damage to the Flemish Disaster Fund. You have up to 60 days to report the damage after its occurrence. On the basis of these damage reports, these damages can be recognized as disasters.
- File a claim for compensation after the event has been recognised as a disaster.
Our tips
Beware of service offers in the aftermath of a disaster!
Those people are not mandated by your insurer. They do not know what you insurance covers and may mislead you while still charging you for the service.
Check what you are signing and take time to think about it, especially before signing an agreement for an expert’s report or for a claim settlement!
In this case, consider a reservation. Ask your insurance intermediary for assistance and advice.
Do not hesitate to ask for explanations!
Request your damage certificate
If you are a flood victim, do not hesitate to ask your insurer or insurance intermediary for a damage certificate. This certificate will entitle you to a substantial discount on your purchases in the participating outlets.
Based on this certificate, retailers that are members of Comeos and the Federation of Commerce and Services will offer substantial discounts to flood victims from 4 August to 4 September 2021.
The list of participating (chain) stores is available at www.commercecares.be.
You may be able to use this certificate to benefit from other services.
Are you looking for a construction company?
The Confederation of Construction has made a list of construction companies ready to help you available on its website.
See also our tips on building, buying or renovating a home.
Complaints / disputes
Are you having difficulties with your insurer?
Do not hesitate to contact your insurance intermediary, the complaints department of your insurer.