On 24 June 2025, a new bill was submitted to the Belgian Parliament to amend the Insurance Act of 4 April 2014. It addresses a sensitive and often overlooked issue in travel insurance: the treatment of suicide attempts.
Current Situation: Exclusions Are Still Common
Today, most travel cancellation and assistance insurance policies in Belgium include exclusions for incidents related to attempted suicide. This typically includes:
- Hospitalisation abroad following a suicide attempt
- Trip cancellations or early returns due to a recent attempt
These exclusions are generally considered legally valid, but increasingly criticised as stigmatising or lacking in solidarity, particularly in the context of mental health.
The Proposed Law: No More Exclusions, No Risk Loadings, No Rejections
The bill introduces several important changes:
- Suicide attempts may no longer be excluded from coverage in travel cancellation or assistance policies
- Insurers may not impose extra premiums based on a prior suicide attempt
- Coverage may not be denied for the same reason
Notably, the law would apply to both existing and new contracts as of its effective date.
Why This Change? A Mix of Medical and Social Considerations
The lawmakers point to the high incidence of suicide in Belgium—one of the highest in the EU—and argue that insurance discrimination reinforces stigma. Mental health struggles should not lead to structural exclusion from essential coverage.
The initiative mirrors earlier reforms in hospitalisation insurance, where similar exclusions were already prohibited in 2014.
Implications for Insurers
Should the bill be adopted, insurers will need to:
- Revise their policy terms and conditions to remove exclusions related to suicide attempts
- Adjust their risk acceptance policies to comply with the ban on loadings or rejections based on mental health history
- Monitor the actuarial and claims impact, even if the number of affected cases remains low
Crucially, the bill will require changes to existing contracts as well, which may involve administrative effort and client communication.
What Happens Next?
At this stage, it is only a bill. Whether it becomes law depends on the legislative process. But the trend is clear: exclusions targeting mental health are under increasing scrutiny.
Insurers are advised to anticipate the change, evaluate the impact, and prepare their wording updates and underwriting protocols accordingly.
Need help reviewing your policy wording or assessing the impact?
Amankwah Law monitors regulatory developments closely and assists insurers with strategic legal advice and policy updates in the Belgian market.