Ethias SA
Ethias
Ethias is a motor casco insurance for the Belgium market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
If repairs are carried out by an Ethias-approved repairer, the direct-payment ('tiers payant') arrangement applies and the contractual deductible may be reduced to €0 or waived; using a non-approved repairer increases the applicable deductible.
Geographic scope
Belgium; the Omnium and Omnium Plus casco guarantees are valid worldwide.
Mini Omnium, Mini Omnium Plus, Omnium and Omnium Plus are valid worldwide; the Mobility and Mobility Maxi replacement-vehicle/assistance services are limited to Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and up to 50 km beyond the Belgian border with neighbouring countries.
Unique selling points
- Free 24/7 roadside breakdown assistance is automatically included with the compulsory liability policy, before any Omnium option is even chosen.
- Policyholders aged 30 or over using an Ethias-approved repairer can obtain a zero deductible on material damage claims.
- A minimum-value guarantee protects the total-loss payout against excessive depreciation up until the vehicle's 73rd month.
- Glass cover extends beyond windscreens to side/rear windows, mirror glass and panoramic or sunroof glass.
- Damage from putting the wrong fuel in the vehicle is covered under the Omnium/Omnium Plus material damage guarantee.
Coverage limits
Own Damage (Material Damage)
Optional
Only in omnium, omnium_plus
Covers damage to the insured vehicle from a collision, fall, overturning or accident, including vandalism; included only in the Omnium and Omnium Plus tiers, not in Mini Omnium or Mini Omnium Plus. Indemnity is based on the insured value (catalogue or invoice value) reduced by depreciation coefficients for total loss, or actual repair cost for repairable damage.
Total Loss
Optional
Total loss occurs when the vehicle cannot be repaired or repair costs exceed the contractual indemnity value less wreck value. Mini Omnium pays total loss only when caused by fire, theft, glass breakage or natural forces/animal collision; Mini Omnium Plus adds a dedicated Total Loss guarantee covering any accident (including vandalism); Omnium and Omnium Plus cover total loss from any insured peril, including at-fault accidents. A minimum-value guarantee applies before the 73rd month of the vehicle's age.
Partial Loss / Repair Costs
Optional
Reimburses repair costs, including non-deductible VAT actually borne by the policyholder, for repairable damage under whichever perils are covered by the chosen tier: fire, theft, glass breakage and natural perils for Mini Omnium/Mini Omnium Plus, plus material damage from any accident for Omnium/Omnium Plus.
Theft / Robbery
Optional
Covers theft and attempted theft of the insured vehicle and its accessories, including theft of the vehicle's keys where this creates an imminent risk of theft; Omnium Plus additionally covers theft of objects transported in the vehicle up to €1,000 per claim. Requires a functioning anti-theft device and a police complaint within 48 hours; excludes theft by family members/employees or theft resulting from mere loss of keys.
Glass Breakage
Optional
Covers breaking, cracking or scratching of the windscreen, side and rear windows, rear-view mirror glass and glass roofs (including panoramic and sunroofs), except in case of total loss; indemnity covers material and labour based on Belgian catalogue/market prices.
Natural Perils and Animal Collision
Optional
Covers rockfall, landslide, avalanche, snow pressure, storm, hail, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, volcanic eruption and tidal wave, plus unexpected collision with 'big game' or 'large livestock' animals and damage in the engine compartment caused by an animal that got in.
Vandalism
Optional
Only in mini_omnium_plus, omnium, omnium_plus
Vandalism is explicitly excluded from the Mini Omnium and Mini Omnium Plus fire/theft/glass/natural-perils guarantees, but is covered under Mini Omnium Plus's separate Total Loss guarantee, and is explicitly included in the Material Damage guarantee of Omnium and Omnium Plus (including tyre damage from vandalism if reported to police within 48 hours).
24/7 Roadside Assistance (Mobility)
Covered
Free 24/7 breakdown/towing service to a garage of the policyholder's choice, automatically included with the compulsory liability cover regardless of whether an Omnium tier is taken, valid in Belgium, Luxembourg and up to 50 km beyond the Belgian border with neighbouring countries; also brings the driver and passengers home.
Replacement Vehicle (Mobility / Mobility Maxi)
Conditional
Basic 'Mobility' replacement vehicle is provided free once liability is undisputed and repairs are carried out by an Ethias-approved repairer, for the repair duration or 6 days on total loss. 'Mobility Maxi' (category A or B vehicle) provides up to 10 days on repair or 30 days on total loss/theft, subject to Ethias's prior agreement; it must be taken out as an explicit option except in Omnium Plus, where it is automatically included.
Driver Accident Insurance
€1,500,000
Optional guarantee, separate from the Omnium tiers, covering bodily injury or death of the driver in an at-fault or single-vehicle accident, up to €1,500,000 per claim, calculated under ordinary compensation rules.
Key conditions
Driver age and experience limit
For material damage claims, policyholders under 26 years of age face an imposed deductible of €500 regardless of the repairer used, overriding any lower contractual deductible.
Repair network requirements
A zero, or reduced, deductible on material damage claims applies only when repairs are carried out by an Ethias-approved repairer; using a non-approved repairer raises the applicable deductible.
Territorial scope
Mini Omnium, Mini Omnium Plus, Omnium and Omnium Plus are valid worldwide; Mobility and Mobility Maxi are limited to Belgium, Luxembourg and up to 50 km beyond the Belgian border; liability and legal-protection cover follow the countries listed on the insurance certificate.
Anti-theft requirements
Unless otherwise agreed in the special conditions, the vehicle must be fitted with a working anti-theft device meeting the VV1 (Assuralia) or IM (INCERT) standard, or an equivalent manufacturer-approved (transponder-type) system, failing which the theft guarantee is forfeited.
Claim notification deadline
Every claim must be reported in writing immediately, and at the latest within 8 days of its occurrence; in case of theft, a police complaint must be filed within 48 hours.
Deductible rules
The applicable deductible is set in the special conditions (typically €0/€500/€1,000 at an Ethias-approved repairer, rising to €500/€1,000/€1,500 at a non-approved repairer); policyholders under 26 always face €500 regardless of repairer; a temporary replacement vehicle carries a deductible increased by €500 versus the vehicle it replaces.
Documents
Policy specifics
Mobility Assistance (24/7 Breakdown Service)
Free 24/7 roadside assistance and towing service included automatically with liability insurance; covers transport of driver and passengers to home; available in Belgium, Luxembourg and up to 50 km beyond Belgian borders with neighbouring countries
SourceMinimum Value Guarantee (Garantie Valeur Minimale)
In case of total loss, policyholder receives no less than the actual value of the vehicle (up to 72 months of age); protects policyholder investment after total loss
SourceFuel Error Coverage
Omnium coverage now includes damages resulting from fuel error (putting wrong fuel type in vehicle)
SourceFranchise (Deductible) Options
Omnium policies can be underwritten with zero franchise (€0) if policyholder is 30+ years old and uses Ethias-recognized repair shops; alternative franchises of €450 or €900 available for premium reduction; young drivers (under 26) typically face €500-€800 franchises depending on circumstances
SourceJoker Bonus: First Accident Forgiveness
If policyholder has been insured at bonus-malus grade 0 for 5+ years and driven 10+ years without at-fault accidents, first at-fault accident does not negatively impact bonus-malus rating
SourceMini Omnium Coverage Scope
Mini Omnium (partial casco) covers: fire, theft/break-in, glass breakage, animal collision, natural forces (storm, hail, flood); does NOT cover own damage from at-fault accidents or negligence by unknown third parties; approximately one-third the cost of full omnium
SourceSource no longer reachableFull Omnium (Comprehensive) Coverage Scope
Full Omnium covers all Mini Omnium perils PLUS own damage from accidents even if policyholder is at fault; includes vandalism coverage; also covers own material damage and total loss indemnification when responsible party unknown
SourceSource no longer reachableMini Omnium Plus Coverage Extension
Mini Omnium Plus combines Mini Omnium basic protections PLUS adds indemnification for total loss (perte totale) of vehicle; bridges gap between partial and full coverage
SourceApproved Repair Network (Recognized Repair Shop)
For zero-franchise omnium policies, repairs must be performed at an Ethias-recognized repair shop; policyholders can choose between Ethias-recognized network or independent shops but may incur franchise if using non-network
SourceVehicle Valuation Method
Vehicle insured at invoice/purchase value; if no invoice available, Ethias uses market value assessment; vehicle value retained at 100% for first 12 months, then depreciates at 18% per year; extended value retention available (100% to 30 months) for additional premium
SourceTerritorial Coverage and Geographic Limitations
Omnium guarantees (Mini/Full) valid worldwide; Liability and Legal Protection valid in all countries per certificate of insurance; Mobility assistance limited to Belgium, Luxembourg and max 50 km beyond Belgian borders with neighbouring countries; Driver insurance covers EU countries plus Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Monaco, Norway, Serbia, Turkey, Vatican, UK, Switzerland
SourcePolicy Renewal and Cancellation Terms
Annual contract automatically renewed unless cancelled by either party; policyholder can cancel at least 2 months before annual renewal date; after 12 months coverage, can cancel anytime with 2 months notice; insurer must provide 90 days notice before rate/condition changes; insurer can cancel if non-payment occurs (notice required) or risk aggravation detected
SourceClaims Notification and Reporting Procedures
Policyholder must report claim within timeframe specified in conditions (typically within days); must agree to all cost-generating measures with insurer beforehand; for accidents in Belgium, Luxembourg or max 50 km beyond borders, call 011 28 24 00 for immediate free assistance (24/7); insurer expert determines damage scope and total loss status; Ethias may use salvage recovery (recourse) rights
SourceUtmost Good Faith Disclosure Requirement
At contract conclusion, policyholder must accurately and completely disclose all circumstances known to affect risk assessment; during contract, must notify insurer of changes (vehicle characteristics, usage, regular drivers, address change, etc.) within required timeframe; failure to disclose material facts may result in coverage denial or contract termination
SourceSources
- https://www.ethias.be/content/dam/B2C/general/pdf/infofiche/fi-auto-nl.pdf
- https://www.ethias.be/part/fr/assurances/mobilite/assurance-auto.html
- https://www.ethias.be/part/nl/verzekeringen/mobiliteit/autoverzekering.html
- https://www.ethias.be/upload/pdf/fr/particuliers/Conditions%20Generales/CG%20-%20SA/cg_omniumauto_fr.pdfSource no longer reachable