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If my child breaks the neighbour's window, who pays? Is family liability insurance compulsory?

In short

It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. As a rule, you pay for any damage your child under 16 or your dog causes to someone else. Family liability insurance usually covers this.

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This rule in 57 seconds
Video transcript

Your child's ball broke the neighbour's window. You don't have family liability insurance. Allowed: This insurance isn't compulsory, but it's highly recommended. Parents are liable for damage caused by a child under 16. The right way: Take out family liability insurance and read the policy. Car accidents and damage to your own things are not covered. Without insurance: Penalty: None; Damage: You pay it yourself; Accident with injury: Compensation can be huge.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Family liability insurance (familiale verzekering / assurance RC vie privée, 'familiale') is not compulsory by law.
  • It pays for damage you cause to others in your private life. For example, your dog ruins the neighbour's carpet, or your child runs into a cyclist in the street.
  • Your partner, the people who live with you and children temporarily in your care are usually covered too. The details depend on the policy.
  • Parents are liable for damage caused by a child under 16 without any need to prove fault (Civil Code, Book 6, since 1 January 2025).
  • What it does not cover: damage to your own belongings, car accidents (covered by compulsory motor insurance), damage caused at work and damage to rented items.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
No penalty, as the insurance is not compulsory. But if you have no insurance, you pay for any damage you cause yourself.

Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5

Court / prison
No prison sentence.

What really matters: the indirect consequences

Why does this rule exist?

In Belgium, anyone who causes damage to someone else must pay for it. In a family with children, even a minor accident can lead to a big bill. Insurance protects both the injured party and the family.

Check your own situationWill my benefit be stopped?Enter your days away and see how long you can stay abroad while receiving IGO or unemployment benefit.

Where can you go?

  • Accountant or social secretariatDimona, e-invoicing and tax obligations
  • Organisations for self-employed peopleFlanders: Unizo · Wallonia and Brussels: UCM
  • Tax office (FOD Financiën / SPF Finances)Declaring foreign property and accounts
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
12 / 12 statements in an official source
Checked: 22.10.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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