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.
On 1 October 2024, a new law came into force setting rules for insurers on claims payouts. The Law of 17 March 2024 on insurance payouts (deadlines and penalties) imposes specific deadlines within which payouts must be made. The intention of the new law is clear: to ensure faster claims settlement by insurers.
As a broker, we take the provision of timely and accurate information about regulatory changes to our corporate clients very seriously. This autumn, for example, we twice held a seminar on ‘The impact of the increase of the statutory guaranteed return (WAP) on supplementary pension plans for companies’. Our colleagues shared interesting insights and practical tips with the many attendees.
In a world that’s constantly changing, it’s essential to look ahead and make strategic choices. You can then position your company in the job market as a future-proof employer and offer your employees an attractive Employee Benefits package. Here are eight key trends and insights you definitely don’t want to overlook.
As announced, the unified status for supplementary pensions will enter into force from 1 January 2030. The change is being made because treating blue-collar and white-collar workers differently in this area is considered discriminatory. Between 2015 and 2030, organisations must gradually eliminate the differences between the two employee categories in relation to supplementary pensions. How do you go about this as an employer?
Introduced in 2012, the Wijninckx contribution is a special social security contribution intended to build up substantial supplementary pensions for employees and the self-employed. We explain how this contribution is calculated, why it’s important to pay it on time and what role Sigedis plays.
At Vanbreda Risk & Benefits, we are committed to providing our Lockton Global Partners and clients with unparalleled service and expertise. To streamline and optimize our service for reversed (incoming) business across the Benelux we have launched the Vanbreda International Desk (VID).
Sheltered employment organisations focus on giving work to individuals who are disconnected from the ordinary labour market. The diversity of the personnel and the nature of the work are key factors in determining insurance needs, as well as forming the basis for a sound health and safety policy tailored to the organisation’s requirements. This is of particular importance in the context of work accident insurance. Our colleague Mario Vermaelen, who specialises in insuring these social organisations, explains how targeted interventions protect employees even better and reduce the number of claims.
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.
What are the rules on the reimbursement of costs for dental care, new glasses or a scan? You can’t claim for these ‘ambulatory costs’ on your hospitalisation insurance, and your health insurance fund will only provide limited reimbursement. Because ambulatory costs can be high, 43% of Belgian employers now offer an ambulatory plan that covers these costs. In the latest episode of our video podcast, insurance expert Bert Van den Broeck talks about the importance and benefits of this insurance for employers and employees.
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.
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.
For the seventh year running, Vanbreda Risk & Benefits has earned the right to call itself a Best Managed Company. As a result, the organisation has won a Platinum Label – the lifetime achievement award handed out by Deloitte Private, KU Leuven and Econopolis. CEO Pedro Matthynssens: ‘We’re delighted with this award. Thanks to the intensive process of recent years, we have a lot of confidence that we’ll continue innovating and growing sustainably.’
Vanbreda Risk & Benefits makes changes to its management committee. Marc Van kerckhoven is appointed as Director Human Resources and Marketing & Communication and Evelyne Lauwers joins the management committee as Director Employee Benefits. CEO Pedro Matthynssens: ‘I have every confidence that with the renewed management team we will ensure continuity in our business operations and achieve our ambitious growth strategy by 2030.’
In 2023, we took several steps to integrate diversity, equality and inclusion more into our business strategy and entered into a partnership with Autimatic. You can read more about both topics in the magazine of Lockton Global, the international network to which Vanbreda Risk & Benefits belongs.
Vanbreda Risk & Benefits enters into a partnership with Doktr, the digital healthcare service provider. With an innovative and locally embedded range of services, they want to help Belgian companies provide easily accessible and quality care to their employees. The shared vision of hybrid care and cover for video consultations with general practitioners will strengthen Vanbreda Risk & Benefits’ already extensive healthcare offering.
