Strengthen your position as a freelancer or consultant
Focus on your expertise. We’re here to give you peace of mind.
Freelancers and consultants enjoy considerable freedom in their work, but sometimes face uncertainty too
A fluctuating workflow, late payments and sudden expenses can quickly strain your cash flow. When you’re trying to help your customers as best you can, it’s important not to lose sight of other things like your admin, business growth, taxes, saving for retirement… there’s quite a lot to keep track of. But luckily, there are tools to help. Read on to see the ones most relevant to your business.
Starting up
Planning to become a self-employed freelancer or consultant, either as your main or secondary occupation? Follow the step-by-step guide and significantly reduce your start-up costs.
Reducing admin work
Efficient billing and expense management – automated where possible – means more time and energy to focus on your expertise.
Maintaining your cash flow
From dealing with defaulters and bridging the financial gap between projects to spreading your tax payments – it’s all possible.
Protecting yourself
A dissatisfied customer, guaranteed income in the event of illness, … are you protected against the risks of the job?
Go tax-efficient
Want to have more money left after tax? Time to focus on tax optimisation!
Starting up
Planning to become a freelancer or consultant, either as your main or secondary occupation? Follow the step-by-step guide and significantly reduce your start-up costs.
Reducing admin work
Efficient billing and expense management – automated where possible – means more time and energy to focus on your expertise.
Maintaining your cash flow
From dealing with defaulters and bridging the financial gap between projects to spreading your tax payments – it’s all possible.
Protecting yourself
A dissatisfied customer, guaranteed income in the event of illness, … are you protected against the risks of the job?
Go tax-efficient
Want to have more money left after tax? Time to focus on tax optimisation!
As a freelancer, you play many roles and wear many hats. It means being your own team, your own planner and your own reminder. But what if you could have a digital sidekick to assist you? That’s how we see KBC Mobile and Kate: as support for you as a freelancer, helping you with your day-to-day tasks, reminding you of important matters and offering suggestions for working smarter and more efficiently.
Thomas Embrechts, Business Policy Adviser (KBC)
Starting out as a freelancer or consultant efficiently and cost-effectively
Becoming a consultant or freelancer doesn’t require a large investment. However, there are a few things to bear in mind. For example, have you thought about opening a business account? This will help you keep your business and personal finances neatly separated right from the start, and prevent your accounting and tax audits from becoming a nightmare later on. And have you checked out the 12 business starter benefits from the Boostpack yet? You can use them to save up to 1 000 euros in start-up costs.
Get off to a flying start with the Boostpack
When I started out as a freelancer, I took advantage of numerous benefits. For example, I issued my first invoices using Billit and saved on my start-up costs, including a tidy discount on my registration with the companies database and the activation of my VAT number. And I still make good use of the Business Mastercard, as it’s great for buying courses and equipment online.
Herbert Lindemans, Freelance Software Engineer
The Boostpack is a benefits package for starting entrepreneurs who open a KBC Business Pro Account. After opening your account, you can apply for your benefits provided you do so within the first year of registering your business or it has still to be registered. See the terms and conditions.
Less admin and more time for your expertise
As a freelancer or consultant, your customers keep you busy, but there’s also plenty of paperwork that needs to be done. Want to tackle your long list of must-dos more quickly and easily? Check out our time-saving solutions below.
With just one click, you can pay invoices, get a clear overview of your income and expenditure, have Kate remind you of any unpaid invoices from your customers, and combine all your mobility expenses on one monthly invoice. Your accountant will also greatly appreciate this, as it allows them to instantly keep track of everything.
Laura Hasaers, Business Go-to-Market Manager (KBC)
A buffer against irregular income
Maintaining a steady cash flow can be challenging as a freelancer or consultant: invoices are paid late, income dips occur, and so on. The solutions below will help you keep a cool head.
Protect yourself ... and your business
Life as a self-employed freelancer or consultant isn’t always plain sailing. However, taking the right precautions now can save you a lot of headache later.
Pay less tax and have more money left at the end of the month
When you’re a freelancer or consultant, you might sometimes hear you’re too expensive, while all you can think is ‘Where did all my money go?’ Fortunately, there are ways to lower your tax burden, avoid unpleasant surprises and keep more of the money you’ve worked so hard for.
Have a question?
Contact KBC Live
- Talk to an expert right away
- Receive advice remotely, from the comfort of your home
- Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. – Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Prefer to make an appointment?
Feel free to arrange a meeting for personal advice
- Always nearby
- At a KBC branch or KBC Insurance agency
Learn more about third-party liability insurance
What’s covered?
- Your third-party liability
This means that KBC pays the aggrieved party:- For any loss, damage or injury caused while your business activities are being carried out
- If your products cause loss, damage or injury after being delivered
- If your work causes loss, damage or injury after being carried out
- Damage caused by fire and explosion (optional add-on)
If you fall within the scope of the Act of 30 July 1979 on the prevention of fire and explosion and on compulsory insurance for third-party liability in such cases, and you have a business premises, you must take out insurance to cover your objective liability in the event of fire or explosion.
What’s excluded?
- Loss, damage or injury caused intentionally (such as vandalism or assault)
- Loss, damage or injury caused through gross negligence (such as drunkenness or any other similar condition)
- Loss, damage or injury caused by using products or working methods that are punishable by criminal prosecution
- Loss, damage or injury caused by failure to take the necessary precautions to prevent it from recurring for the same reason
- Loss, damage or injury caused on account of the sub-standard quality of the products delivered or works performed if you were aware of it
Good to know
- This insurance is governed by the laws of Belgium.
- This insurance is valid for a term of three years and is tacitly renewed unless it is cancelled no later than three months before the main renewal date.
- Your intermediary is the first point of contact for any complaints you may have. If no agreement can be reached, please contact KBC Complaints Management, Brusselsesteenweg 100, 3000 Leuven, complaints@kbc.be, tel. 016 43 25 94, fax: + 32 16 86 30 38.
- If you cannot find a suitable solution, you can contact the Belgian insurance industry’s ombudsman service: Ombudsman van de Verzekeringen, de Meeûssquare 35, 1000 Brussels, info@ombudsman-insurance.be, www.ombudsman-insurance.be.
- This does not affect your legal rights. You can obtain a quote for this insurance by contacting your KBC Insurance intermediary.
This insurance comes under KBC Commercial Liability Insurance. KBC Commercial Liability Insurance is a product provided by KBC Insurance NV, Professor Roger Van Overstraetenplein 2, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
VAT BE 0403.552.563, RLP Leuven, IBAN BE43 7300 0420 0601, BIC KREDBEBB
Company licensed by the National Bank of Belgium, de Berlaimontlaan 14, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, for all classes of insurance under code 0014 (Royal Decree of 4 July 1979, Belgian Official Gazette of 14 July 1979). Member of the KBC Group
Read this information carefully before taking out this insurance
Learn more about company car insurance
Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance
If you want to drive your company car on public roads, you are required by law to take out third-party liability insurance. It covers any loss, damage or injury you cause to others if you are at fault:
Covered
- Loss, damage or injury you cause with your vehicle to third parties, both material (e.g., exterior damage, damage to buildings, etc.) and physical (i.e. death or injuries)
- Injuries sustained by pedestrians, cyclists or passengers in traffic accidents in which your car is involved.
Even if you are not liable, you can claim on this insurance.
Not covered
- Damage to your own vehicle
- Bodily injuries sustained by the driver in a traffic accident
- Damage caused whilst taking part in competitions
- Damage you cause intentionally
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
Extend your cover by adding Semi-Comprehensive or Fully Comprehensive Insurance
When you take out semi-comprehensive insurance, you are covered in most claim events caused by someone other than yourself:
Covered
- Damage caused by martens gnawing on your car’s cables and conduits
- Breakage of car window glass or sunroof glass
- Break-ins, theft and vandalism during theft
- Hail damage or damage caused by another force of nature (storm, lightning, flood, etc.)
- Damage caused by fire, explosion or fire-extinguishing activities (including damage caused by melting due to a short circuit)
- Damage caused by collisions with wild or stray animals
- Crashing aircraft or falling aircraft parts
- Any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss (e.g., a set of winter tyres or a roof box)
Not covered
- Damage to your own car following an accident (for which you can take out our Fully Comprehensive Insurance)
- Your physical injuries as the driver, which you sustained in an accident (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)
- Theft you have facilitated by leaving your car unattended and unlocked on a public road
- Damage to parts caused as a result of wear and tear or by a lack of maintenance
- Damage you cause intentionally
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
Our Fully Comprehensive Insurance policy covers virtually any claim, unless it is included on the limited list of exclusions:
Covered
- Damage caused by a collision, fire, glass breakage, theft, vandalism, forces of nature, filling up with the wrong type of fuel, collisions with stray animals or birds, and gnawing martens
- The cost of replacing locks or reprogramming the locking system if your car keys are stolen
- Medical expenses if you’re injured during a car-jacking or home invasion
- Vehicle registration tax is covered free of charge if your vehicle is declared a total loss
- Damage to transported items
- We provide compensation of up to 1 500 euros for items you transport in your car which are intended for personal use if your car is also damaged, including bicycles on your bicycle rack or luggage in your roof box
- We also cover any additional vehicle features which you can no longer use after your car has been declared a total loss, such as your winter tyres or roof box
Not covered
- Damage you cause under the influence of alcohol (more than 0.15%) or in a similar condition due to the use of substances other than alcohol
- Damage you cause while driving your car in violation of the conditions laid down in Belgian laws and regulations
- Damage you cause intentionally
- Theft you have facilitated by leaving your vehicle unattended on a public road or unlocked in another location accessible to the public
- Your physical injuries as the driver of your vehicle (for which you can take out our Driver Accident Insurance)
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
Supplementary driver accident insurance
If you suffer injuries and also want the medical expenses to be reimbursed, you need to have supplementary driver accident insurance.
Covered
- Medical care and other expenses if you have an accident (including suitable transport if you need to be taken to hospital for treatment)
- Permanent disability of at least 5%
- Financial support for your next of kin if you die within three years of the accident
Not covered
- Industrial accidents
- Accidents caused intentionally or due to serious error
- Accidents when participating in, and training for, speed races, time-speed distance (TSD) rallies and skills-based competitions
- Accidents you cause by driving under the influence of alcohol (more than 0.15%) or other substances
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
Personal assistance and roadside assistance
Supplementary roadside assistance and personal assistance insurance provides cover if your car breaks down or you have an accident – either in Belgium or abroad:
Covered
VAB breakdown service
- 24/7 VAB breakdown assistance at your home or while travelling in Belgium or Luxembourg
- Repairs on the spot or getting towed to the most appropriate garage
- Insured persons transported home
Comprehensive vehicle assistance
Get help following an accident, theft or breakdown, including abroad.
- Insured persons brought back home
- Stolen vehicle returned to you if found
- Breakdown assistance or getting towed to the most appropriate garage
Worldwide personal assistance
- Travel assistance in the event of illness or accidents with medical cover of up to 250 000 euros
- Help with other inconveniences like forwarding clothing and personal travel items if your luggage is stolen
Replacement vehicle following an accident, breakdown or theft (optional)
- Medical care and other expenses if you have an accident (including suitable transport if you need to be taken to hospital for treatment)
- Permanent disability of at least 5%
- Financial support for your next of kin if you die within three years of the accident
Not covered
- Damage you cause intentionally
- KBC does not cover repair costs (we only reimburse vehicle recovery costs and the cost of shipping the replacement parts)
- Complications related to, or worsening of, an existing illness if you have not followed the treatment prescribed
- Participation in paid or profitable sports (including training for such sports)
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
Legal assistance insurance
This supplementary cover ensures you receive legal assistance to recover the cost of your loss or damage – either through litigation or an out-of-court settlement:
Covered
- Contractual dispute claims such as those arising from purchasing, selling, maintaining or repairing a vehicle
- Administrative dispute claims like those arising from problems with the government regarding revocation of your driving licence, road tax, or the technical inspection of your vehicle
- Criminal defence claims like those arising from suspected traffic offences, such as when you receive a summons for speeding, running a red light and alcohol intoxication
Not covered
- Fines and out-of-court settlements
- Disputes about:
- Paid transport of passengers or goods
- Participation in speed races and time-speed distance (TSD) rallies
- Renting a vehicle and renting yours out
- Deliberate violations
The complete list of exclusions can be found in the general conditions.
Good to know
KBC Vehicle Insurance for Passenger Cars may include one or more of the following types of insurance cover: Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance, Legal Assistance Insurance, Comprehensive All-Risk Insurance, Semi-Comprehensive Insurance, KBC-VAB Roadside Assistance Insurance and Driver Accident Insurance.
This product is governed by the laws of Belgium.
Insurance cover under this policy is valid for a term of one year and is tacitly renewed unless you cancel it no later than two months before the main renewal date. As from the second insurance year, you can cancel your insurance at any time, with effect after two months have elapsed from the day after the registered letter was submitted for delivery, the writ was served or the date of the acknowledgement of receipt.
Your intermediary is the first point of contact for any complaints you may have. If no agreement can be reached, please contact KBC Complaints Management, Brusselsesteenweg 100, 3000 Leuven, complaints@kbc.be, tel. 016 43 25 94 (free of charge) or + 32 78 15 20 45 (charges apply), fax + 32 16 86 30 38.
If you cannot find a suitable solution, you can contact the Belgian insurance industry's ombudsman service: Ombudsman van de Verzekeringen, de Meeûssquare 35, 1000 Brussels, info@ombudsman-insurance.be, www.ombudsman-insurance.be.
This does not affect your legal rights. Visit our website or contact your KBC Insurance Expert to request a quote for KBC Vehicle Insurance for Passenger Cars.
KBC Vehicle Insurance is a product provided by KBC Insurance NV – Professor Roger Van Overstraetenplein 2 – 3000 Leuven – Belgium.
VAT BE 0403.552.563 – RLP Leuven – IBAN BE43 7300 0420 0601 – BIC KREDBEBB.
Company licensed by the National Bank of Belgium, de Berlaimontlaan 14, 1000 Brussels, Belgium, for all classes of insurance under code 0014 (Royal Decree of 4 July 1979, Belgian Official Gazette of 14 July 1979).
Member of the KBC Group.