Car insurance: what is the third-party liability guarantee?

Your car insurance's third-party liability coverage covers damage caused to third parties (i.e. any person outside the driver responsible for the accident), whether physical or material, in the following situations:

• Damage you cause (as a driver) or caused by a person authorized to use the vehicle. Examples: injury, illness resulting from the accident or death of the victim, coverage of medical expenses, hospitalization and possible compensation for the damage suffered, repair or replacement of damaged vehicles or real estate (dwelling, business hit,...).)

• Damage caused by family members living under the same roof (children, spouse, cohabiting partner) when using your vehicle
• Damage caused by the vehicle without the intervention of a person (for example, when the hand brake is not lifted and the car starts moving on its own)

• Damage caused to third parties in all countries of the and in certain third countries where equivalent coverage is provided.

Passengers in your vehicle are also considered third parties. They are compensated for the bodily harm they suffer, even if you are responsible for the accident. Example: if you lose control of your vehicle and hit a cyclist, the civil liability guarantee covers the damage suffered by the cyclist. If a passenger in your vehicle is injured, their personal injury is also compensated.

Civil liability in motor vehicle matters applies to all land motor vehicles intended for circulation, in particular:

• Passenger car (vehicle intended for the transport of persons)

• Truck and utility (vehicle used to transport goods)

• Motorcycle and moped (2-wheeled motorized, including a scooter)

• Agricultural and construction vehicle, such as a tractor or a public works vehicle, when traveling on public roads

• Trailer and caravan, when towed by a motor vehicle.

Some vehicles are not subject to this obligation of civil liability insurance, in particular:

• Wheelchair, whether manual or electric, as it is not considered a motorized vehicle for use on public roads

• Non-motorized vehicle (bicycle, non-motorized scooter, arm trailer).

Motorized personal mobility devices (e.g. electric scooters, gyropods, hoverboards)...) must be covered by civil liability when traveling on public roads.

The civil liability guarantee allows the following persons to be compensated:

• Driver and passenger of other vehicles involved in the accident
• Passenger of the insured vehicle, whether family member or not
• Pedestrian injured or affected by the accident
• Cyclist, whether he is knocked down by the vehicle or victim of his maneuvers
• Owner of damaged property, such as a business, fence or house hit by the vehicle.

Some damages are not covered by the civil liability insurance. This mainly concerns the following damage:

• Damage you do to yourself or your loved ones
• Damage you cause to your own vehicle
• Damage you intentionally cause
• Damage related to your professional activities carried out at home (special insurance)
• Damage related to the transport of dangerous goods
• Damage caused when you don't have a driver's license
• Damage excluded by law or by your insurance contract (example: driving under the influence of alcohol).

If you find yourself in one of these situations, you will personally to make good the damage.

However, some of these exclusions may be the subject of a specific contract. So, for example, with a driver warranty, you also guarantee the damage that you can cause yourself personally if you are responsible for the accident.

Liability coverage is automatically included in any auto insurance contract. It is the minimum level of coverage required by law.

You cannot insure a vehicle without this warranty.

It is included in the insurance contract commonly known as third party insurance.

In the event of an accident, you must follow the following steps to invoke your car insurance's third-party liability guarantee:

1. Fill out an amicable report with the other party involved, detailing the circumstances of the accident and any personal injury or property damage.
2. Provide the necessary evidence, such as photos of the damage, contact details of witnesses, or police or gendarmerie reports, if they have intervened.
3. Report the accident to your insurer as soon as possible. However, you have a minimum period of 5 working days to do it. Even if no amicable settlement has been established (for example, if the other driver has left the premises or refuses to sign), you must report the claim to your insurer within this period.
4. The insurer then compensates the victims according to your contract.

Yes, your civil liability guarantee remains valid and covers the damage caused by the driver to whom you have lent your vehicle.

However, you must ensure that the driver is a valid driver's license and complies with the conditions set out in your insurance policy, as some insurance policies may restrict the loan of the vehicle to certain persons and conditions (family, minimum age, ...). etc.

If your vehicle is not covered by civil liability at least and you drive with it, you are subject to the following penalties:

• Fine of up to €3,750
• Confiscation of the vehicle, by decision of the judge
• Withdrawal of driver's license or even temporary or permanent suspension
• Prohibition to drive certain vehicles
• Sentence of community service or the obligation to attend a road safety awareness course.

In the event of an accident, you will have to personally compensate the victims, which can represent very significant financial sums.