Absenteeism insurance

For whom is absenteeism insurance useful?

If you run a business with staff, you run the risk of an employee becoming ill. This can disrupt your business operations, especially if you have a small business. The costs of an absent employee can quickly add up: one day of absence may cost you at least €250. You must continue to pay your sick employee at least 70% of their wages for 2 years. The costs for guidance and reintegration have to be paid by you as well.

What is usually insured with absenteeism insurance?

• continued payment of at least 70% of wages for the first 2 years
• prevention, counselling and reintegration
• the social security contributions and pension costs of the sick employee

Most insurances include a deductible excess (eigen risico, in Dutch). You may have to pay for the first few days of your employee's illness yourself. Sometimes there is a maximum to what the insurance pays out.

What is usually not insured?

Costs for:

• employees who fall ill before the start date of the insurance
• a director or major shareholder (DGA) who falls ill
• an employee who intentionally becomes incapacitated for work
• someone who is not an employee of your company, for example your partner or a self-employed professional

Insurance for self-employed professionals without staff

Are you a self-employed professional without staff, a zzp'er? Then you are not protected against loss of income if you become ill or have an accident. You can insure your income with occupational disability insurance (arbeidsongeschiktheidverzekering, AOV), or with an alternative such as crowdsurance or a donation cirlce. They protect you against loss of income. Read more about insurance for self-employed professionals.

Insurance for directors or major shareholders (DGAs)

DGAs are not covered by absenteeism insurance. Instead, you have to take out occupational disability insurance.