You insure a van as a motor vehicle, but what makes it special is the registration, the fitting-out of the load space and the question of who all drives it.
The calculator and the quote form below are in Dutch. Prefer to do this in English? Email info@finassverzekert.nl or call 072 - 509 24 56 and we will take it from there.
Work out your own premium with the calculator.
Enter your details; you will receive a proposal within one working day.
We compare the offerings of several insurers
An adviser checks whether the cover suits your situation
A premium indication, not personal advice. Prefer to talk it through? Call 072 - 509 24 56.
In brief
For the insurer, a van is not a car. The vehicle is heavier, has an enclosed load space, is reversed more often in tight places and is rarely used by a single regular driver. Third-party liability cover is compulsory under Article 2 of the Dutch Motor Insurance Liability Act (WAM); on top of that you choose third-party, fire and theft or comprehensive cover.
The commercial vehicle registration (grijs kenteken) is a tax classification with requirements as to fitting-out and use. For the policy, a different question is decisive: is the vehicle used for business, privately or for both, and do several people drive it? That declaration determines the premium and is checked in the event of a claim.
Two items are not included in the list price and belong on the policy separately: the fitting-out of the load space - racking system, load floor, roof rack, towbar, refrigeration - and everything you carry. Anything lying loose in the load space is load, not vehicle, and falls outside every own-damage cover. For that, look at the insurance for carrying your own goods.
The structure of the cover in three parts, with an overview per situation below.
Compulsory by law
Third-party liability
Damage you cause to others with the van.
Compulsory from registration onwards
Trailer insured while coupled
Also for private use
Most chosen
Third-party, fire and theft
Theft, break-in damage, fire, storm and glass.
Break-in damage to the vehicle
Theft of the vehicle
Glass and stone chips
Declare separately
Contents and fit-out
Tools, materials and the fit-out in the load space.
Own goods in transit insurance
Racking and load floor
Roof rack and towbar
What is covered
Situation
Third-party liability
Third-party, fire and theft
Comprehensive
Collision with another vehicle
Yes
Yes
Yes
Break-in damage to doors and locks
No
Yes
Yes
Tools stolen from the load space
No
No
No
Reversing into a post yourself
No
No
Yes
Racking system and load floor
No
Sometimes
Sometimes
Damage to third-party goods during loading and unloading
No
No
No
This overview is general in nature and is not personal advice. What is actually covered, including exclusions, limits and the excess, is set out in the policy conditions and the insurance card (verzekeringskaart) of the insurer; you receive both before you take out cover. Taking out cover without advice? Then read what execution only means for you.
Where things go wrong in practice
Four points that make the difference between a policy that pays out and one that does not.
Who drives determines the policy
If several members of staff, agency workers or apprentices drive the van, declare this along with ages and driving licence details. A vehicle with a changing circle of drivers is a different risk from a van with a regular driver. Bear in mind your position as an employer as well: for damage a subordinate causes to third parties in the course of his work, you are liable under Article 6:170 of the Dutch Civil Code. That makes the level and the quality of the third-party liability cover a business interest.
Your driver as an employee
If a member of staff is injured in a road accident during work, the motor policy is not the answer. The employer's obligations under Article 7:658 of the Dutch Civil Code and the duty of care of Article 7:611 of the Dutch Civil Code go further: an employer is expected to make proper arrangements for those taking part in traffic. Occupants' insurance or employee injury insurance fills that gap; without that cover, an injury claim lands directly on your company.
Declare the fitting-out, with its value
A racking system, wooden load floor, roof rack, towbar, refrigeration or signwriting increases the value of the vehicle but is not included in the list price. If the van is written off without your having declared the fitting-out, only the bare vehicle is paid for while you have to have the fitting-out built again. Record the replacement value of the fitting-out separately on the policy and update it after a new fit-out or a transfer to another van.
What is not covered
The following, among others, are outside the cover: the load and the tools in the load space, even with comprehensive cover; damage to third-party goods during loading and unloading, which belongs with liability and runs into the care, custody and control exclusion there; and hire or transport for payment where this has not been declared. Driving without the right licence category for the permitted weight and damage caused intentionally or through gross fault are also excluded (Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code).
Declare the fit-out with its value
A racking system, load floor, roof rack, towbar or refrigeration increases the value of the vehicle but is not included in the list price. Without a declaration, only the bare vehicle is paid for in the event of a total loss, while the fitting-out easily represents several thousand euros.
Report business use and multiple drivers
If several members of staff drive the van, or you use it for deliveries, that is a different risk from a van used by a self-employed professional. Declare the circle of drivers and the use correctly; this is looked at in the event of a claim, and an incorrect declaration can affect the payout.
Customers rate our service on four aspects: personal service, service delivery, availability and the outcome. The reviews are collected and published by NH1816 and come from customers who have actually taken out a policy with Finass Advies B.V. or reported a claim.
What does the commercial registration mean for my insurance?
Little directly. A commercial registration is a tax classification with requirements as to the fitting-out of the load space and its use. What counts for the insurer is whether the vehicle is used for business, privately or for both, and who drives it. If that declaration does not match practice, it affects the payout in the event of a claim. See also the page on commercial registrations.
Is break-in damage to the van covered?
Damage to the vehicle itself generally is, from third-party, fire and theft upwards: forced locks, a buckled sliding door, a damaged door. What has been taken from the load space is not. After repeated break-ins the insurer will impose additional requirements, such as extra locks, a deadlock system or an alarm. Prevention feeds straight through into acceptance here.
Who is liable if my employee causes damage?
Your company. For damage an employee causes to third parties in the course of his work, you are liable as the employer under Article 6:170 of the Dutch Civil Code. The vehicle's third-party liability cover absorbs the road traffic damage. As for damage to the vehicle itself, you can only recover it from the employee in cases of intent or wilful recklessness, as Article 7:661 DCC provides.
Is damage during loading and unloading covered?
To the vehicle itself yes, within the own-damage cover chosen. If in the process you damage a customer's goods or premises where you are unloading, that is liability and not motor damage. Property in your keeping often runs into the care, custody and control exclusion of the public and employers' liability insurance (AVB). Have that point checked explicitly if you regularly unload inside customers' premises.
Finass Verzekert is a trading name of Finass Advies B.V. We advise on and arrange non-life insurance on the basis of an objective analysis of several insurers, and receive commission for this from the insurer, which is included in the premium. You pay no separate advice fee. Before you take out cover, we establish your wishes and needs.
You will find our licence, KvK and Kifid details and our complaints procedure at the foot of every page.
