Driving abroad: Staying insured across the border

By the editorial team Turbosphere · 30 September 2026

In brief. Starting from Belgium, you can be in another country in a matter of hours, making a road trip the go-to holiday choice for many families. However, from an insurance perspective, borders are less invisible than they seem. Your third-party liability covers you within a specific geographical area, your comprehensive insurance may not apply under the exact same conditions, and roadside assistance has limits that often only become apparent when you actually need it. This article outlines exactly what your policy does and doesn't cover once you leave the country, which documents you need to bring, and what to do in the event of an accident far from home.

Contents

• Does your Belgian car insurance apply abroad?
• Which documents should you bring?
• What does roadside assistance cover abroad, and what doesn't it?
• What should you do in the event of an accident abroad?
• Which local rules tend to surprise Belgian drivers?
• Does a long trip affect your premium?
• Frequently asked questions
• Key takeaways

Does your Belgian car insurance apply abroad?

Your third-party liability applies within the geographical area defined in your policy. While this area extends beyond Belgium, it is not unlimited.

Every Belgian car insurance policy lists the countries where the coverage is valid. For most European destinations, this is practically a given, but the list isn't endless. If your destination is off the beaten path, it becomes crucial to review this list beforehand rather than just assuming you're covered.

A second point is often overlooked: in the event of an accident abroad, third-party liability does not automatically follow Belgian regulations. As a rule, damages are assessed according to the laws of the country where the accident occurred. This can impact the compensation amount, the processing time, and how liability is determined.

Finally, there's your comprehensive coverage (omnium). While it usually applies within the same geographical area, the practical handling of claims differs. Arranging an expert assessment, finding a repair shop, and getting parts delivered simply works differently than it does around the corner from your home. If you're traveling far, this is all the more reason to carefully review your breakdown and assistance coverage.

Which documents should you bring?

The list of what you should keep in your car is fairly straightforward, yet one crucial document is almost always forgotten.

That last item is less trivial than it sounds. A dead battery, a lost phone, or a poor connection are exactly the kinds of situations where you'll need your roadside assistance number. Keeping a paper copy in the glove compartment costs nothing and can save the day.

The accident report form also deserves a mention. The European Accident Statement follows the exact same structure and box numbering everywhere, regardless of the language it's printed in. This means two drivers who don't speak each other's language can still fill it out together: box seven remains box seven in every language version.

What does roadside assistance cover abroad, and what doesn't it?

Assistance is the coverage that makes the difference between a lost day and a ruined holiday, and the details vary wildly from one policy to the next.

Here are the specific elements you should double-check:

• Geographical scope. Does the assistance cover all the countries on your itinerary, including those you're just passing through?
• Starting point of coverage. Does your assistance start right from your doorstep, or only once you are a certain distance from home?
• Towing and local repairs. Will the car be taken to a local garage, and who gets to choose that mechanic?
• Transport for passengers. Will the occupants be transported, and to where?
• Vehicle repatriation. Will the car be brought back to Belgium if the repairs take too long?
• Replacement vehicle on site. Is there a solution provided so you can continue your journey, and for how long is it available?
• Covered events. Does the assistance only apply in the event of an accident, or does it also cover a breakdown, a flat tire, a dead battery, or locking your keys in the car?

That last point catches many drivers off guard. A significant portion of travel interventions has nothing to do with collisions, but rather with mundane issues: a flat tire, a dead battery, or keys locked inside the car. If your assistance coverage is strictly limited to accidents, you'll be left to fend for yourself in these situations.

You should also check whether the coverage is linked to the vehicle or to the individual. This is particularly relevant if you are driving a family member's car or planning to rent a car during your trip.

What should you do in the event of an accident abroad?

You need the same reflexes as you would in Belgium, with one extra concern: you must be able to follow up on the claim later from back home.

First, secure the scene and ensure the safety of the passengers. Call the emergency services if there are injuries, and involve the local police in cases of severe damage or disputes. After that, fill out the accident report form with the other party on the spot, ideally while the vehicles are still in the exact position where they came to a halt.

Next, gather more evidence than you normally would at home. Take photos of the vehicles, road signs, and markings. Make sure you capture the license plate and country of registration of the other party, the name of their insurance company, their policy number, and, if possible, the reference number of the police report. Tracking down missing information from afar is incredibly difficult later on.

For accidents abroad involving a vehicle from another country, Europe has a system of claims representatives. This allows victims to have their case handled by a representative in their home country and in their own language. Your insurer or assistance provider will explain how to activate this. Either way, notify them as soon as possible, even if the damage seems minor.

Which local rules tend to surprise Belgian drivers?

The basic traffic laws differ less than the peripheral regulations surrounding them.

Here are a few recurring themes you'll encounter on a classic European road trip:

• Low-emission zones. More and more cities are implementing access restrictions and requiring prior registration. The rules vary by city, even within the same country.
• Toll roads and vignettes. Some countries require a vignette that must be purchased in advance, while others use toll booths or electronic badge systems.
• Mandatory equipment. High-visibility vests, warning triangles, and occasionally other specific items are part of the required onboard equipment, with variations from country to country.
• Winter equipment. In mountainous regions, winter tires or snow chains may be legally required during certain parts of the year.
• Alcohol limits and speed restrictions. These often differ from Belgian limits and apply fully to foreign drivers.
• Roof boxes and bike racks. These alter the dimensions of the vehicle and sometimes obscure the license plate, which can be subject to strict local regulations.

From an insurance perspective, the following is especially relevant: driving without the legally required equipment or violating local rules can negatively impact how your claim is assessed in the event of an accident, entirely aside from any fines you might receive.

Does a long trip affect your premium?

Your annual mileage is a key factor in pricing, and a major holiday road trip absolutely counts toward that total.

A car insurance premium is calculated based on the vehicle, its stated use, the region, the driver's profile, claims history, and annual mileage. If you drive very little for most of the year but embark on a long road trip every summer, that distance needs to be factored into your mileage estimate.

This is especially true for pay-per-mile policies where the distance directly dictates the premium. These premiums are built in two layers: a fixed portion that covers the vehicle while parked, and a variable portion tied to the actual distance driven.

“According to the research we conducted among our clients, our customers save an average of €242 per year—and even an average of €360 on Comprehensive Coverage—by switching to Kilometer Insurance.*” — Belfius Direct Verzekeringen, Belgian direct insurer

*Survey conducted in November 2025 via an external research agency among 13,994 new customers since October 1, 2024, with 1,019 respondents (of which 218 responded regarding 'Comprehensive Coverage').

So, for a family that primarily drives long distances during the holidays, the math isn't automatically clear-cut one way or the other. Simulating a car insurance quote based on your actual odometer readings, including your holiday trips, with the same coverage as your current policy, is the only way to get a definitive answer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the international motor insurance certificate still mandatory in Europe?

Its format is evolving, and a digital version is accepted in a growing number of countries. However, it remains highly advisable to be able to present proof of coverage during a traffic stop, especially if you venture off the most frequently traveled routes.

Am I covered if someone else takes the wheel during the trip?

Most policies cover an occasional driver, but the special conditions may impose additional restrictions or a higher deductible. Be sure to check this before handing over the keys during a long drive.

What happens if my car can't be repaired in time while abroad?

This is where your breakdown assistance coverage comes in: it may arrange for the vehicle to be repatriated, allow you to continue your journey, or transport the passengers back home. The exact provisions are outlined in your special conditions and vary greatly from policy to policy.

Does my car insurance cover the luggage inside the vehicle?

Usually, no. Items left inside the vehicle generally fall outside the scope of a standard car insurance policy and are better covered by another type of insurance. Always review the exclusions before you depart.

What if the other party refuses to fill out an accident report form?

In that case, write down as much information as you can yourself: the license plate, country of registration, make and model of the car, as well as the exact time and location, and notify the local police immediately. Photos and eyewitness accounts become crucial in these situations.

Key takeaways

What you need to remember. Your third-party liability is valid within the geographical boundaries defined by your policy, and if you have an accident abroad, damages are assessed under local law. Always carry your international motor insurance certificate, vehicle registration, driver's license, blank accident report forms, and a paper copy of your roadside assistance details. Take a close look at your assistance coverage, paying special attention to the geographical scope, covered events, and repatriation terms. If an accident occurs, gather far more evidence than you would at home, as tracing details remotely after the fact is nearly impossible. Finally, don't forget to include your holiday road trips when estimating your annual mileage.

Important information regarding the Kilometer Insurance

Before signing the contract for the Kilometer Insurance, Belfius Direct Verzekeringen asks that you read the following documents: o The Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) o The General Conditions. The Special and General Conditions take precedence over commercial brochures and other promotional texts.

Main coverages • Compensation for material damage to third parties up to a maximum of €100,000,000 per claim, and unlimited coverage for bodily injury to third parties. • In the event of an accident, Belfius Direct Verzekeringen will arrange for the towing of your car and the transport of uninjured occupants back to their primary residence in Belgium. • If you have opted for the Replacement Vehicle guarantee, Belfius Direct Verzekeringen will tow your car to a repair shop following an accident, fire, attempted theft, or vandalism in Belgium or Luxembourg, and you will receive a replacement vehicle for a maximum of 20 days. In the event the vehicle is stolen, this is extended to a maximum of 30 days. Main exclusions • Third-Party Liability Car Insurance does not cover bodily injury to the driver if they are at fault for the accident. For this, you should take out the optional Driver's Insurance. • Third-Party Liability Car Insurance does not cover material damage to the insured motor vehicle. For this, you will need the optional Comprehensive (Omnium) Coverage. • Third-Party Liability Car Insurance does not apply if a thief or fence causes an accident with the insured vehicle.

Calculate the price for your vehicle online and receive a personalized quote via the Kilometer Insurance product page. You can also contact Belfius Direct Verzekeringen customer service at 02 244 23 23. You take out this insurance for a term of 1 year. The contract is tacitly renewed on the expiration date for successive one-year periods, unless one of the parties cancels it in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the General Conditions.

The Kilometer Insurance is a car insurance policy governed by Belgian law, provided by Belfius Direct Verzekeringen, a trade name of Belfius Insurance NV, Karel Rogierplein 11, 1210 Brussels, RPR Brussels VAT BE 0405.764.064, an insurance undertaking authorized under number 0037.

If you have any complaints, you can follow the complaints procedure.