Thinking about changing insurers?

You’ve had your current car insurance for a while now and it isn’t something you give much thought. But then something happens (for instance, your premium increases, you have an accident, or your contract is set to end) that leads you to consider your options. Maybe another insurance solution suits your situation better or perhaps you just want to know what your options are. Whatever the case, read on to find out when you can switch insurers and how to go about it.

While car insurance generally runs for a specific term and cannot be terminated any time you want, there are a few exceptions:

Premium gone up? Feel free to cancel

Your car insurer is obliged to notify you of any rate changes. If you receive a letter from your insurer informing you of a rate change, and you took out your insurance after October 2024, you are free to cancel your insurance within three months of receiving this letter. You must submit your letter of cancellation by registered post.

Important: this exception does not apply if the rate change resulted from a request or change you made, such as a change of address, or if you had an accident where you were at fault.

Had an accident? You can change insurers

Regardless of whether you were at fault, you have the right to switch insurers after an accident. You must submit your letter of cancellation by registered post within one month of payment (or refusal) of the compensation.

End of contract? Time for something new

If your current insurance contract is set to expire, it’s the perfect time to switch insurers. It’s important to remember that, if you took out your insurance after October 2024, you must cancel it at least three months prior to the annual renewal date.
 

If you want to change car insurers, you can cancel your current contract. How and when to cancel it depends on your policy’s start date:

For policies concluded or tacitly renewed on or after 1 October 2024:

You can cancel your contract up to two months prior to the annual renewal date.
As from your second year of insurance, you may cancel your insurance at any time, subject to a period of notice of at least two months from the date of receipt of your registered letter.

Remember that the date stated on your certificate of insurance (green card) is not always the same as your contract renewal date, so be sure to check your policy document for the correct date.

For policies concluded before 1 October 2024:

These contracts are still subject to the old notice period of at least three months prior to the annual renewal date.

You have to cancel your current contract by registered letter (either written yourself or based on this standard template). It must contain at least the following information:

• Your first and last name
• Your car insurance contract number
• The annual renewal date
• Your request to cancel the car insurance
• Date and signature

How long it will take to switch to a new insurer depends on your current insurer’s notice period. So, make sure to check what it is.

If you decide to switch to KBC Brussels, we’ll take the paperwork off your hands. You don’t have to do anything – we’ll take care of the letter of cancellation and further handling.

Before you cancel your current insurance, be sure to check with your new insurer whether your application has already been approved. You obviously want to make sure your car remains insured at all times. If you would like to take your no-claims history with you, present your most recent invoice for your previous insurance. Your new insurer can then factor your claim-free years into your premium calculation.

If you’re planning to cancel your current car insurance and are looking for a new car insurer, you’ve come to the right place. KBC Brussels offers a range of different car insurance options. You can either work out your premium yourself or receive a personal rate if you’re already a KBC Brussels customer.

When you decide to switch to us from another insurer, we’ll take care of all the paperwork, including sending your letter of cancellation and ensuring you subsequently receive confirmation and a certificate of no-claims bonus from your previous insurer. You don’t have to do anything.

1. Work out your premium online: If you’re happy with the proposal, you can take out your insurance online right away.
2. Leave the rest to us: we’ll send your letter of cancellation and ensure that you receive confirmation and a certificate of no-claims bonus from your previous insurer.
3. All done! As soon as your old contract ends, you’ll be insured with KBC Brussels – seamlessly and without interruption.

KBC Car Insurance for Passenger Cars is a third-party liability insurance policy required by law. More information on this product can be found in the insurance information document, which we recommend you read carefully before taking out the product.  

KBC Car Insurance may include one or more of the following types of insurance cover: Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance, Legal Assistance Insurance, Comprehensive All-Risk Insurance, Semi-Comprehensive Insurance, KBC-VAB Roadside Assistance Insurance and Driver Accident Insurance.  
  - This product is governed by the laws of Belgium.  
  - Insurance cover under this policy is valid for a term of one year and tacitly renews, unless it is terminated no later than three months before the main renewal date.  
  - Your intermediary is the first point of contact for any complaints you may have. If no agreement can be reached, you can contact KBC Complaints Management by post at Brusselsesteenweg 100, 3000 Leuven, by e-mail at complaints@kbc.be, by telephone on + 32 16 43 25 94 or + 32 78 15 20 45 (paid number), or by fax on + 32 16 86 30 38. If you cannot find a suitable solution, you can contact the Belgian insurance industry’s ombudsman service: Ombudsman van de Verzekeringen, de Meeûssquare 35, 1000 Brussels, info@ombudsman-insurance.be. This does not affect your legal rights.  

Contact your Insurance Expert or visit our website to request a quote for KBC Car Insurance for Passenger Cars.  

KBC Car Insurance is a product of KBC Insurance NV – Professor Roger Van Overstraetenplein 2 – 3000 Leuven – Belgium VAT BE 0403.552.563 – RLP Leuven – IBAN BE43 7300 0420 0601 – BIC KREDBEBB Company licensed by the National Bank of Belgium, de Berlaimontlaan 14, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, for all classes of insurance under code 0014 (Royal Decree of 4 July 1979; Belgian Official Gazette, 14 July 1979). Member of the KBC group.  

* What is and isn’t covered under third-party liability insurance  

Covered   
Loss, damage or injury you cause with your vehicle to third parties, both material (e.g., exterior damage, damage to buildings, etc.) and physical (i.e. death or injuries). Injuries sustained by pedestrians, cyclists or passengers in traffic accidents in which your car is involved. Even if you are not liable, you can claim on this insurance.  
   
Not covered   
Some key exclusions are: 
  - Damage to your own vehicle  
  - Bodily injuries sustained by the driver in a traffic accident  
  - Damage caused during participation in competitions  
  - Damage you cause intentionally  
  The complete list of exclusions can be found in the General Conditions.  

* What is and isn’t covered under semi-comprehensive insurance 

Covered  
  - Damage caused by martens gnawing on your car’s cables and conduits   
  - Breakage of car window glass or sunroof glass - Break-ins, theft and vandalism during theft   
  - Hail damage or damage caused by another force of nature (storm, lightning, flood, etc.)   
  - Damage caused by fire, explosion or fire-extinguishing activities (including damage caused by melting due to a short circuit)  
  - Damage caused by collisions with wild or stray animals  
  - Crashing aircraft or falling aircraft parts  
  - Any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss (e.g., a set of winter tyres or a roof box)  
   
Not covered  
  - Damage to your own car following an accident (for which you can take out our Fully Comprehensive Insurance)  
  - Your physical injuries as the driver, which you sustained in an accident (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)  
  - Theft you have facilitated by leaving your car unattended and unlocked on a public road  
  - Damage to parts caused as a result of wear and tear or by a lack of maintenance  
  - Damage you cause intentionally  
  The complete list of exclusions can be found in the General Conditions.  

* What is and isn’t covered under fully comprehensive insurance  

Covered  
  - Damage caused by a collision, fire, glass breakage, theft, vandalism, forces of nature, filling up with the wrong type of fuel, collisions with stray animals or birds, and gnawing martens  
  - The cost of replacing locks or reprogramming the locking system if your car keys are stolen  
  - Medical expenses if you’re injured during a car-jacking or home invasion  
  - Vehicle registration tax is covered free of charge if your vehicle is declared a total loss  
  - Damage to transported items  
  - We provide compensation of up to 1 500 euros for items you transport in your car which are intended for personal use if your car is also damaged, including bicycles on your bicycle rack or luggage in your roof box  
  - We also cover any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss, such as your winter tyres or roof box  
   
Not covered  
  - Damage you caused under the influence of alcohol (more than 0.15%) or in a similar condition due to the use of substances other than alcohol  
  - Damage you caused while driving your car in violation of the conditions laid down in Belgian laws and regulations  
  - Damage you cause intentionally  
  - Theft you have facilitated by leaving your vehicle unattended on a public road or unlocked in another location accessible to the public  
  - Your physical injuries as the driver of your vehicle (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)  
   
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the General Conditions.  Read the product information in full before taking out insurance.