Is there a difference between home insurance and fire insurance? No, it's the same insurance. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are indeed synonyms for the same purpose: reducing your financial risks after damage caused by fire or flooding. Make sure to always check the policy’s terms and conditions, though. It’s the only way to know exactly what is covered.
Home insurance covers the costs incurred by fire or water damage to your home. In doing so, the policy assumes all financial consequences, even due to a natural disaster. The damages occurring during your rental period for which you are liable as a tenant are also covered. Think, for example, of a water pipe bursting at your place, damaging the ceiling of the apartment below you.
In addition to damage to the building, there are also additional coverages for which you can opt within home insurance. In a lot of cases, the contents are not covered by default. Moreover, you can also choose extra covers such as legal aid or theft, which intervenes in case of attempted burglary or vandalism.
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"We explain everything you need to know about your home insurance coverage in this article.","url":"/en/individuals/my-life/housing/home-insurance-what-does-it-cover"}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Is home insurance mandatory for owners?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"No, you’re not legally obliged to have home insurance. In practice, however, as an owner, it’s hard to avoid doing so. When applying for a mortgage loan, most banks require you to take out home insurance as well.
To be fair, this does make sense. Your home serves as collateral for the loan you receive. The bank therefore wants assurance that it will remain in good condition and thus retain its value in case you are unable to repay the loan. You are, however, free to take out home insurance wherever you’d like.
Even when you’re buying your house or apartment entirely with your own funds, it’s still recommended to take out home insurance. After all, this insurance also intervenes in case of storm or floods, and without a policy, you’ll have to pay for potential damage to both your home and any contents yourself.
And there’s more. Did you know that home insurance also covers damage to your neighbors’ home if something goes wrong at your place? A water leak in your apartment might damage several other apartments, for example.
Also good to know: as a landlord of a house or apartment you’re also obliged to take out home insurance yourself since January 1, 2019.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Is home insurance mandatory for tenants?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Since 1 November 2024, it has been legally mandatory for tenants in Belgium to take out fire insurance. This applies to tenants in the Brussels-Capital Region ( since 1november 2024), Flanders (since 1 January 2019) and Wallonia (since 1 September 2018).
This obligation applies to written lease agreements concluded or renewed after these dates and provides better protection as a lessee, compared to the classically used 'waiver of recourse clause'. For example, if you cause damage to a neighbour, you are not covered without your own fire insurance.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Whether you buy or rent a property"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"
It is best to take out home insurance. Discover ING's home insurance policies
"},"textLinks":[{"text":"For owners","url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-home/home-insurance-owners"},{"text":"For tenants","url":"/en/individuals/insurance/insure-my-home/home-insurance-tenants"}]}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"b097f965-df71-4807-a21a-99facd2a9706","localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Housing","url":"/en/individuals/my-life/housing"}},"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"Let’s face it: when you’ve finally found your new home after endless searching and hesitating, you naturally want to protect is as best as you can. In this article, we tell you all about the differences in obligation of home insurance for tenants and owners.","subtitle":"In Belgium, fire insurance is required by law for tenants. Still, a lot of people don’t know this, which often causes unnecessary trouble with the owner when things do go wrong. After all, your fire insurance can even help in case of water or storm damage.","title":"Is home insurance mandatory for tenants and owners?"},"date":"2025-05-02","readingTime":5},"publishDate":"2026-04-16T10:47:26.422+02:00"}}