Third-party liability
- Property damage and injury to third parties
- Also when an employee is driving
- No damage to your own van
- Applies while parked on the road too
Third-party liability obligation · own-damage cover · tools
Insuring a van or company vehicle as a self-employed professional
For most self-employed professionals a van is both a means of transport and a workshop. The motor policy covers the vehicle; what is inside it is a separate arrangement.
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- 9.5 customer rating for a new policy
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- Personal 072 - 509 24 56, weekdays 9–17
Deze pagina in het Nederlands: Bestelbus of bedrijfsauto verzekeren als zzp'er.
Calculate your premium or request a quote
Without obligation; a reply within one working day.
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 activities
- We arrange the switch, including cancellation
A premium indication, not personal advice. Prefer to talk it through? Call 072 - 509 24 56.
In brief
Every van with a Dutch registration is subject to an insurance obligation under Article 2 of the Dutch Motor Insurance Liability Act (WAM). Third-party liability cover pays for damage you cause to others with the van: to their vehicle, their property and their injuries. Damage to your own van is not insured by it; for that you need third-party, fire and theft (including fire, theft, storm, glass and collision with an animal) or comprehensive cover , which also covers damage you cause through your own fault.
With a van, a second question arises: what is inside it? Tools, machines, materials you take with you and a racking system are not part of the own-damage cover. Theft from the van is therefore as a rule not paid by the motor policy; only the break-in damage to the van itself is. For the contents you need separate tools or goods insurance , often with requirements as to overnight parking and not leaving tools unattended.
Finally, pay attention to the declared use. A policy for own-account carriage does not cover delivery services, courier work, driving lessons or hire to third parties. If the actual use differs from what is on the policy schedule, that becomes a problem at the first claim. See also the business van insurance if you run several vehicles.
Which cover can you choose?
The structure is a three-stage rocket: compulsory third-party liability, damage to your own vehicle, and everything that hangs around it.
Third-party fire and theft and comprehensive cover
Third-party, fire and theft covers named causes; comprehensive cover also covers damage you cause through your own fault.
- Fire, theft, storm and glass
- At-fault collisions: comprehensive only
- Often a higher excess
- Declare fitted equipment and signwriting separately
Occupants, legal expenses, assistance
Separate modules that absorb the consequences for you and your business.
- Occupants' accident and damage insurance
- Motor legal expenses cover
- Breakdown assistance at home or abroad
- A replacement vehicle only with the module
What is covered
| Situation | Third-party liability | Comprehensive cover |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to someone else's car | Yes | Yes |
| Theft of the van | No | Yes |
| Hitting a bollard through your own fault | No | Yes |
| Theft of tools from the van | No | No |
| Fitted racking and permanent fittings | No | Provided that |
| Damage caused by a hired-in worker | Yes | Provided that |
What is actually covered, including exclusions, limits and the excess, is set out in the policy conditions and the insurance card (verzekeringskaart) that you receive before you take out cover.
Four points for self-employed professionals with a van
These are the four points at which claims most often come unstuck.
Tools in the van are not insured as well
This is the biggest misunderstanding. If your van is broken into, own-damage cover pays for the lock, the door and the glass, but not for the drill, the measuring equipment or the materials that have gone. For that you need a tools or business contents insurance . Read its conditions carefully: many policies require the van to be kept in a locked space overnight, exclude tools left in plain sight, or apply a considerably lower payment outside office hours. Record which items are on the schedule.
Who may drive is determined by the policy
Third-party liability cover follows the motor vehicle, so a hired-in worker or agency worker driving your van is also covered by the WAM for damage to third parties. For own-damage loss the position is different: policies often have an age clause, a limited circle of drivers or an increased excess for other drivers. Also check whether you can recover the loss from the hirer or the agency; employer's liability and the restrictions in Article 7:661 of the Dutch Civil Code play a part in that. Put the use of company vehicles in writing.
The stated use must be correct
The policy schedule states the use: own-account carriage, haulage for others, courier service. That is not a formality. If you regularly drive delivery runs while the policy states own-account carriage, that is a breach of the duty of disclosure under Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code and the insurer may reduce or refuse the payout under Article 7:930 of the Dutch Civil Code. The same applies to the annual mileage, the region and the overnight parking address. If your work changes, report it during the term.
What van insurance does not cover
Outside the cover are, among other things: driving without a valid driving licence or while disqualified from driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, taking part in speed trials and driving on a circuit, and hire or use as a driving school vehicle where this has not been reported. The damage to the load carried itself is not motor damage either, and wear, mechanical defects and loss in value fall outside the cover. Damage caused intentionally or with wilful recklessness is excluded under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code.
What does your premium depend on?
- Type and weight of the van — list price and payload
- Stated use — carrying your own goods or making deliveries
- Annual mileage — more kilometres, more risk
- No-claims years — for business use often built up separately
- Storage address and security — enclosed site or the street
- Type of cover and excess — third-party liability, third-party, fire and theft, or comprehensive
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is why comparing pays off.
How we arrange it
- You request a quoteWe take stock of your situation, risk and wishes.
- We compareseveral insurers, on premium as well as conditions.
- You receive a proposalWith an explanation of the differences and the exclusions.
- We arrange the switchIncluding cancellation, so there is no gap in cover.
9.5New policy
9.8Claims handling
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.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most often about this.
Are my tools insured on the van insurance?
No, as a rule not. The motor policy covers the vehicle and the permanently fitted parts. Loose items, tools, machines and materials fall outside it. After a break-in, own-damage cover does pay for the damage to the lock, door and glass, but not for what was taken. Take out separate tools or goods insurance for that and note the requirements as to overnight parking.
Am I insured if a hired-in worker drives my van?
For damage to others, yes: the WAM cover follows the motor vehicle and not the person. For damage to your own van the position can be different, because policies have a limited circle of drivers, an age clause or an increased excess for other drivers. Check that beforehand and record in writing who may drive the vehicle.
Can I use the no-claims years I built up privately?
Sometimes. A number of insurers accept privately accrued years for a business vehicle, while others apply a separate business step or bonus-malus ladder. If you transfer the years, you cannot continue to use them on your private car at the same time. Have it calculated in advance which is better value in your situation; the difference lies mainly in the early years.
What about damage to the goods I carry?
That does not fall under the motor policy. Damaged or missing goods you carry for yourself are insured on an own-account carriage or goods policy. If you carry customers' goods for payment, carrier's liability insurance is the right product. Report that use on the motor policy too, because commercial carriage of goods differs from own-account carriage.
Is my van insured abroad as well?
Within the countries listed on the green card it generally is, with the statutory minimum cover applying there. Own-damage cover and breakdown assistance can be more limited or require a separate module. If you regularly drive outside the Netherlands or stay away for longer periods, report it; some policies set a maximum number of consecutive days abroad.
Read more
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Looking for competitive van insurance?
Request a quote without obligation; we set the own-damage conditions, the excess and the tools cover side by side.
Prefer to call? 072 - 509 24 56, weekdays 09:00–17:00.
Claim on the road? Emergency line 06 - 55 20 40 72.
About our service
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.
This page was written and checked by an adviser at Finass Verzekert. Last updated on .
The information on this page is general in nature and is not personal advice.
