The Belgian Common Guarantee Fund: what is it and when can it help you?

Most drivers know that a compulsory BA car insurance covers damage they cause to others. But what happens if you become the victim of an accident and there is no insurer to turn to?

That is exactly why the Belgian Common Guarantee Fund exists.

This fund protects victims in specific situations where the usual insurance system cannot intervene, for example after a hit-and-run accident or when the responsible vehicle is uninsured.

What is the Belgian Motor Guarantee Fund?

The Belgian Common Guarantee Fund is an organisation financed by Belgian motor insurers. Its purpose is to compensate victims of traffic accidents when no insurer can be held responsible.

The Fund can intervene in situations such as:

The responsible driver is unknown (for example after a hit-and-run)
The vehicle was not insured
The vehicle was stolen
The insurer is bankrupt or unable to respond
The insurer does not react within the legal time limits

In short: the Fund acts as a safety net for victims who would otherwise be left without compensation.

Hit-and-run accidents: what is covered?

One of the best-known situations involves hit-and-run accidents where the responsible driver cannot be identified.

In those cases, the Fund may compensate:

Bodily injury, without a maximum compensation limit
Material damage, but only under specific conditions

This is an important nuance. If there is only damage to the vehicle and no serious bodily injury, compensation for material damage is often limited or excluded.

That is why additional protections such as omnium insurance, driver insurance, and legal assistance can still be extremely valuable.

What should you do after an accident?

If you are involved in an accident where the other party is unknown or uninsured, acting quickly is essential.

Important steps include:

Calling the police immediately
Filing an official police report
Taking pictures and gathering evidence
Looking for witnesses or camera footage
Contacting your broker or insurer as soon as possible

The police report is especially important, as it forms a key part of the file for the Common Guarantee Fund.

Why this matters for your insurance

Many people assume their basic BA car insurance covers every situation. In reality, BA insurance mainly protects others against damage you cause.

When the responsible party disappears or has no valid insurance, your own protection becomes much more important.

Depending on your policy, cover may differ significantly:

Omnium insurance may cover damage to your vehicle
Driver insurance may cover your bodily injuries
Legal assistance may help identify the offender or support the claim process

How S.W.I.S. Insurance can help

At S.W.I.S. Insurance, we help clients understand exactly what is - and is not - covered in situations like hit-and-run accidents or uninsured drivers.

We are happy to: