The importance of a legal assistance insurance in a car accident abroad

Imagine: you are on a road trip across Europe and while driving through Germany, you are suddenly hit from behind. This happened to Tom, a 30-year-old man, in July 2023. The accident caused serious injuries.

Tom knew he could rely on his legal assistance insurance to help him get appropriate compensation from the other party. But legal rules can vary from country to country, which is the case for Belgium and Germany. And that made the process a lot more complicated. In this case, the claim settlement had to be handled according to local laws.

Fortunately, Tom was not alone. He was assisted by Marie, a Car Claims Adviser from his insurer. She helped him prepare the claim for his car and made sure he got a medical report to document the severity of his injuries.

It soon became clear that compensation for personal injuries in Germany was significantly lower than in Belgium. While in Belgium various types of damages are compensated, including moral and aesthetic damages, German law focuses mainly on material damages such as medical expenses and travel costs.

Thanks to negotiations with the other party, it was eventually possible to obtain compensation under Belgian law, which meant a significant difference for Tom:

Compensation under German law: €400

Compensation under Belgian law: 3,800 euros

For the damage to his vehicle, Tom could actually benefit from the more favourable rules in Germany. While in Belgium only the repair costs are compensated, in Germany depreciation of the vehicle and other additional costs can also be taken into account.

Compensation under Belgian law: €590

Compensation under German law: €940

This situation highlights the importance of specialised legal assistance cover in a car insurance. Without the legal expertise of his insurer, Tom would probably have received a much lower compensation.

Moreover, Marie managed to resolve the dispute without legal action, saving Tom time and energy. This again highlights the importance of specialised legal assistance insurance, especially in car accidents abroad.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in this type of insurance: we will find out what is the best and most cost-effective solution for you!