IndependentIt can happen to anyone: an accident while commuting, resulting in significant costs. Independer.be explains who is responsible in that case and what the precise conditions are, so that you can go on the track with peace of mind, both in terms of physical damage and damage to your car.
‘Work road accidents’
As an employee you are insured while you work. But what about when you’re on your way to work? Just the same! An accident that occurs on the way to and from work – normal commuting – is considered an accident at work. That is precisely why they are also called ‘work road accidents’.
The procedure corresponds to that for any accident that happens to you as an employee during and due to the performance of the employment contract, and that causes physical injury. There is one important condition attached to this work road accident: it must occur on the normal route to and from the place of work. This also includes travel related to your job.
Are you involved in an accident on the road between your home and work? You must take these steps in the event of a workplace accident.
What is ‘the normal route’ to your work?
The normal route to work does not necessarily have to be the shortest. So if you take a detour every day because you first drop your child off at daycare or school, this is considered the normal way to work.
NB: ‘Normal route’ should be taken literally. If your employer can demonstrate that your trip to your parents’ house (because you wanted to visit them because they are sick, for example) is not on your normal route, then this is no longer considered an accident at work.
And what after arrival? Who is responsible in the event of an accident or burglary in a parking garage?
What should you do in the event of a traffic accident?
Most importantly: inform your employer as soon as possible. This way, they can report it to the industrial accident insurance company. This insurance covers all medical costs resulting from the work accident, in accordance with the national insurance scheme.
In the event of an employee’s accident at work, the health insurance fund is not the first to intervene, so you must provide all original documents to the industrial accident insurer of the company you work for. They will also pay you a daily allowance for the days on which you are incapacitated for work. If there is permanent disability, the insurer will also intervene.
Self-employed manager or self-employed: Which cover should you choose for your company car?
And what about the damage to your car?
Suppose you have a car accident on the way to work, but there is no physical injury but only material damage. Then the occupational accident insurance will not intervene, but only your own car insurance. You are therefore not entitled to compensation from the occupational accident insurance.
If you have Civil Liability (BA) insurance, it only covers the damage suffered by the other party if you are at fault. All repair costs are therefore at your own expense. Full comprehensive insurance also covers damage to your own car if you are at fault. Read more about the full comprehensive insurance here.
Want to play it safe with good personal car insurance? With Independer.be you can compare various insurers and immediately see whether you can save.
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Tags: Car accident commuting employer cover costs concrete steps MyGuide
