We enjoy sharing our insights on insurance, risk management and employee benefits in the form of accessible video podcasts, articles, whitepapers, webinars, customer testimonials and more.
The new medical index came into effect on 1 July 2026. Particularly striking is the increase for hospital stays in two- and multi-bed rooms. The rise in the medical index continues to be driven by various structural developments in the healthcare sector.
It’s not the premium, but the possible maximum loss (PML) that is often the real starting point for property insurance. A technical estimate of this loss lies behind every insurance decision. By understanding and managing this estimate properly, you can both avoid surprises in the event of a loss and create opportunities for better terms and lower costs. In this article, we explain exactly how this works.
The government’s budget agreement introduces several important changes to the tax treatment of insurance products in 2026. The increase in insurance tax means that premiums for non-life insurance will go up. For Branch 23 investment insurance policies, the levy on the entire fund will increase, which could affect your returns. We provide some clear information about the impact on insurance premiums and costs for your company and employees.
Foreign building designers are increasingly carrying out projects in Belgium. Even if the designer is a foreign company, the regulations in the country where the contract is performed still apply. The construction party is therefore subject to the Belgian legal framework regarding liability and insurance. What form does the insurance framework actually take in Belgium? We provide a transparent overview.
The construction sector faces complex risks on a daily basis. In addition to classic site and liability risks, environmental risks are playing an increasingly important role. Soil contamination, pollution caused by fire or incidents on the construction site, damage to surrounding land or nature reserves: environmental damage can occur unexpectedly and have severe financial consequences. As a company, how do you ensure adequate protection so that environmental risks are not a blind spot?
Standard specifications 250 are used as a reference and contractual basis in public tenders for roads, sewerage, pavements, cycle paths and so on. It includes rules on materials, execution, surveying methods, tolerances, safety and quality requirements, but also on insurance requirements. A new version of standard specifications 250 (version 5.0) has been in force since 1 January 2026. Read on to find out what’s new and how it affects your insurance.
Money plays a central role in our lives, from everyday choices to decisions that affect our future. Despite this, many people find managing their money far from easy. In a world of increasing financial complexity, this raises the question of how equipped we really are to make rational financial decisions. Financial literacy is crucial here, for both individuals and organisations.
In the latest episode of our video podcast Succes Verzekerd, find out how you can successfully include new risks in your company’s risk management approach. A panel of four in-house experts explains the recent legislative changes affecting your insurance portfolio, focusing on four topical areas: auxiliary party liability, mobility, solar panels and cyber.
In the latest episode of Succes Verzekerd, the video podcast from Vanbreda Risk & Benefits, our colleague Rebecca Bekaert delves into employee benefits. How does an optimised benefits package enable you to maintain your edge as an employer? What kinds of cover still tend to be overlooked, and what can you do to change that? And what impact does the increase in the retirement age have on your personnel insurance? Find out here.
From raw material to finished product, our food travels a long way before it ends up on the plate. The businesses and activities which make up the food industry are extremely varied, which makes insuring the risks of each specific player in the chain a challenge. In the new episode of our video podcast Succes Verzekerd, we hear from insurance expert Charlotte De Bruyn. She talks about the food sector’s important but vulnerable position in the Belgian economy and how a future-oriented insurance policy can help.
By means of global benefits management, your organisation can easily run a strong employee benefits package worldwide. This structured, central approach provides a useful overview of all benefits and enables you to put together an attractive package in the war for talent. If social security is non-existent or too limited in one of the countries where you’re based, you can also provide your employees there with additional support through this insurance package. Employee benefits expert Kristof Baertsoen talks about the advantages of global benefits management in the latest episode of our video podcast Succes Verzekerd.
Maritime insurance is a dynamic and international field that covers everything related to the transport of passengers via ocean vessels and cargo by all means of conveyance: road, rail, air and ocean shipments. This type of insurance is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of global trade and logistics. In the latest episode of our videopodcast, insurance expert Dirk Maes talks about the importance of an adequate coverage for every company in the logistical supply chain. He also discusses the unique position of the Belgian market and the challenges the maritime industry faces with the transformation towards a greener future.
The transport and logistics industry is a key component of the Belgian economy. How can you dispatch your drivers with peace of mind? And are you sufficiently aware of the liability you take on as a company, for example when you store goods? In the latest episode of our video podcast 'Succes Verzekerd', we zoom in on the insurance challenges for haulage companies and logistics service providers. Insurance expert Jean-Christophe Demeure talks about familiar and new risks. The switch to digitalisation and renewable energy in this industry is also discussed.
The construction industry is constantly evolving. Not only are most construction projects and infrastructure works increasing in size, construction risks are also becoming more complex, making successful cooperation all the more important. With so many parties involved, it is sometimes difficult to determine who is responsible for what. In this new instalment of the 'Succes Verzekerd' videopodcast, our colleague Eli Hemelaer talks about the developments and challenges facing the construction industry. As an insurance expert in construction risks, he advocates an integrated insurance approach that guarantees maximum transparency for all construction parties involved.
Mobility is in full development in this country. The way we all get about is affected by a range of factors, including the increasing density of our cities, the switch to hybrid work, climate change and technological innovations. How should your company deal with all the new forms of mobility? And how do you ensure that your employees can travel safely for both work and private purposes? Our in-house mobility experts Stephanie Deneef and Geert De Krem guide you through the mobility trends and insurance challenges in this episode of our videopodcast ‘Succes Verzekerd’.
In the fifth episode of our videopodcast ‘Succes Verzekerd’, disability expert Evelyne Lauwers talks about what reintegration programmes involve and why employers turn to us for advice.
The legislation to which this article refers dates from spring 2023.
In the fourth episode of our podcast ‘Succes Verzekerd’, agriculture and climate expert Veerle Geudens talks about climate risks. She takes a close look at how farms and production companies can use crop insurance to protect themselves against the consequences of climate change.
All markets evolve in response to changing needs and new trends. The insurance industry is no exception. In the second episode of our ‘Succes Verzekerd’ podcast, we welcome pension consultancy expert Saskia Defreyne to the microphone. Saskia has a strong reputation in the field of advice on supplementary pensions and an extensive knowledge of the insurance industry and pension funds.
In the first episode of our ‘Succes Verzekerd’ podcast, we welcome cyber security expert Tom Van Britsom to the microphone. Tom is a business development manager with a profound interest in cyber security and cyber insurance.
Port work has its risks, despite the wide-ranging preventive efforts of port operators. Despite a 60% increase in the insured wage bill, resulting in significantly greater exposure to risks, the number of workplace accidents in container, general cargo and roll-on/roll-off activities has remained relatively constant. As a result, the cost has actually fallen by 30%. However, commuting accidents are proving costly for port operators. The number is increasing rapidly, and the average cost is three times higher than for an accident at the quayside. This is one of the subjects covered by the Vanbreda Risk & Benefits Port Barometer, a comprehensive analysis of work-related accidents in the port from 2020 to 2024.
Cyber crime continued to rise in 2025 and poses a growing threat to Belgian businesses. However, companies’ efforts in cyber security and insurance are paying off. Targeted prevention measures and improved incident support have limited the cost of four out of five cyber claims 20,000 euros, and cyber insurance premiums have fallen. New players with competitive rates are reinforcing this trend. At the same time, the risk of reliance on a single provider is still underestimated, and businesses that fail to adapt their insured amounts to their growth and current risks are in danger of being underinsured. This is clear from the Vanbreda Risk & Benefits annual cyber study.
In 2026, the insurance brokers Kantoor Windey and Assutron will join the Vanbreda Group. With this move, three strong players are combining their expertise to provide an even better service to businesses, independent professionals and individuals in the Waasland region.. Pedro Matthynssens, CEO at Vanbreda Risk & Benefits: ‘Windey and Assutron are two established names in this region. Their choice of Vanbreda confirms our position as the market leader and an attractive employer. Together, we aim to become the leading broker in the Waasland region.’
Anchor Insurance has entered into a strategic partnership with Unibreda, the holding company of Vanbreda Risk & Benefits, which is owned by its family shareholders. Vanbreda Risk & Benefits is the largest independent insurance broker in the Benelux. With this partnership, Anchor takes the next step in its development as a leading insurance broker within the specialist niches of Marine, Energy, Construction and Wholesale. As part of the transaction, Unibreda acquires a majority stake in Anchor, while the existing partner model remains in place.
