2023-10-28 12:00:00
12 days ago, terrorism struck Belgium once once more. The ninth terrorist attack in the country in just 11 years. Since the attacks at the airport and in the Brussels metro in 2016, victims of terrorist attacks have been fighting daily with insurance companies to obtain aid and compensation.
“For 7 years we have been alerting all the authorities via the media, in parliamentary committees, to explain that the situation must change, that our legislative arsenal is very poorly equipped to deal with attacks of such magnitude . We see today that 7 years later, nothing has changed.”indicates Guillaume Lys, who was lawyer for the civil parties in the trial of the attacks of March 22, 2016 in Brussels.
Even today, in Belgium, a terrorist attack in the middle of the street, on a public highway, is not covered by any compulsory insurance. “As I speak to you, we are only covered by the financial aid commission, which intervenes on a residual basis. We will have compensation for damage, which might not exceed 125,000 euros. I leave you imagine what it would be like if you had serious injuries to endure, a professional life that unfortunately had to come to an abrupt end, and with the bills continuing to pile up…”, adds lawyer Guillaume Lys.
However, a law is ready on the table. It might be voted on during the month of November. It is presented by the Minister of the Economy as an essential step forward. “We want all victims to be covered, whether or not they are covered by an insurance contract. This was really important for us. Secondly, we want all victims, regardless of their nationality, to be covered too. Residents Belgians and non-residents will be compensated in the event of a terrorist attack.specifies Federal Minister of the Economy Pierre-Yves Dermagne.
This law would require insurance companies to compensate victims completely and quickly, within 45 days… according to simplified measures. Even if it has not yet been passed, the law would already apply to the victims of the last attack in Brussels, mid-October. “I have just received a commitment from the insurance companies represented by Assuralia that these victims of the attacks in Brussels last week will be correctly and fully compensated, whatever the situation, covered or not covered by an insurance company. insurance”assures Pierre-Yves Dermagne.
It is a glimmer of hope for the victims following more than 7 years of emptiness and failure. All this in a terrorist context which is resurfacing. The threat level in Belgium is 3 on a scale of 4.
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