In short

• A policy negotiated specifically for co-ownership, with strong cover and tailored deductibles.

• Claims are picked up directly by a specialised MGA and one dedicated contractor, Huust.

• You stay informed through your property manager, and soon simply through the dobby app as well.

What is dobby insurance?

dobby insurance is an all-risk building insurance designed specifically for owners' associations. The policy runs through Insubuild, a specialised MGA, and the insurer behind it is AXA. The general and special conditions are negotiated at regular intervals. You could therefore compare it to a kind of group purchase for co-ownership.

At Gerantis, we look ahead. That is what management with perspective means to us: not carrying on doing what has always been done, but looking for how it can be done better and faster for owners' associations. And without higher costs. dobby insurance is the result.

To create this offer, we set up two things: our own MGA and a partnership with one specialised contractor.

What is an MGA, and why did we set one up?

An MGA (Managing General Agent) is a specialised insurance agent who designs, manages and follows up a policy on behalf of an insurer. The insurer, here AXA, bears the financial risk. The MGA knows the sector it works for inside out and knows what is, and what is not, relevant for this specific customer profile.

For an owners' association, that makes all the difference:

• Tailor-made. The MGA aligns conditions and deductibles with what co-ownership really needs, instead of tweaking a standard policy.

• Short lines. Claims and expert assessments are picked up directly by the MGA, without detours.

• Clear guarantees. The policy is placed with Insubuild which, like the underlying insurer AXA, is also supervised by the FSMA.

Huust: a dedicated professional who responds quickly

A good policy is only truly good if the repair also runs smoothly. That is why we selected one contractor that we use for all repairs: Huust (www.huust.be).

Huust is an experienced construction company with 15 years of experience and Gerantis' quality label. It focuses on what it calls building care itself: taking care of buildings, from repair to maintenance. Within 24 hours of a claim report, Huust gets in touch to start the repair process.

What makes the policy strong for an owners' association

The policy is tailored to co-ownership. A few points that make this concrete:

• Indirect losses: 10% extra. On top of the material damage, you receive an additional 10% compensation, up to a maximum of €17,755.30 per claim.

• Property manager's costs. The additional costs your property manager incurs in the event of a claim are covered up to 10% of the compensation paid for a claim, with a maximum of €7,102.12 per claim.

• Water infiltration through the outer wall. Covered, up to €103,779.07.

• Lower deductible for repair in kind. When consequential damage is repaired through our repair network, no basic deductible (€328.26) is applied. If an increased deductible applies, it is reduced by the amount of the basic deductible.

• Separate legal expenses insurance via Euromex. The owners' association has the option of integrating a separate legal expenses insurance with Euromex, for any disputes. For a number of associations, this legal cover may remain with AXA.

And there is more. For example, failure of the seal of insulating glazing has no age limit. And for damage to the common areas when a resident moves out, your association pays no deductible. You rarely read such details in a policy, until you need them. It is a host of things that together make dobby insurance particularly useful for an owners' association.

Amounts subject to ABEX or CPI indexation follow the index as determined in the policy conditions.

Four benefits for your owners' association

Better insured, because tailor-made

The policy is designed specifically for owners' associations, with attention to what is happening in buildings today. Think of EV charging points and a garage, for example. The general and special conditions are (re)negotiated at regular intervals: you could therefore compare it to a kind of group purchase, in the interest of your association.

Tailored and modular conditions

Deductibles and cover fit co-ownership better. And they are not always set in stone: in consultation with your property manager, certain deductibles can be adjusted to better match the reality in your building.

Smooth communication

Your property manager keeps an eye on everything. In addition, we are developing the insurance information, such as notifications and the status of repairs, in the dobby app as well. Soon (as soon as the new feature has been added to the app) you will be able to keep up to date with ongoing claims easily.

Less 'hassle'

The assessment and the repair are picked up directly by the MGA, and Huust gets in touch within 24 hours of a report to start the repair. You no longer have to figure out who does what.

How much better can it be for your building?

Every policy is different, and so is every building. That is why we are happy to compare the conditions of dobby insurance with your current policy, so you can see for yourself where your association comes out ahead.

Get in touch to compare the conditions with your current policy. michael.melaerts@vandessel.be.

Would you rather read up first? Download the general brochure on dobby insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Who actually insures my building?

AXA is the insurer and bears the risk. Insubuild is the MGA that manages the policy and follows up claims. The FSMA supervises the proper functioning of the insurance service.

What changes for me as a co-owner?

Your point of contact remains your property manager. What changes is what happens behind the scenes: you get a policy tailored to co-ownership, and faster claims handling.

Does this cost more than my current policy?

Our aim is a better-tailored policy at no higher cost. The premium depends on your building, so we are happy to compare the conditions and the price with your current policy.

What should I do in the event of damage?

Report the damage through your property manager. Within 24 hours of the report, Huust gets in touch to start the repair process.

Can I choose a contractor myself?

The owners' association can still choose its own contractor, but then does not benefit from the reduced deductible.

Who decides whether our building switches?

The decision is yours, as an owners' association. Your property manager puts the proposal forward and the general meeting decides, or the person or body to whom the general meeting has delegated the authority to decide on it.

Is a policy through an MGA as reliable as a policy directly with an insurer?

Yes. The cover is borne by an authorised insurer, and the MGA is registered with the FSMA as an insurance intermediary; the FSMA supervises its proper functioning.

Is building insurance compulsory for an owners' association?

Yes. In Belgium, the owners' association must insure the building, both the common and the private parts, against fire and related risks.

What happens to my current policy if my building switches to dobby insurance?

Your current policy must be cancelled in good time, at the latest two months before the renewal date, to avoid any overlap or gap in cover.