Compulsory by law
- Health insurance, Health Insurance Act
- Third-party motor liability, Article 2 WAM
- Applies even when the vehicle is not used
- Enforced by the CAK and the RDW
Which insurance policies are compulsory in the Netherlands?
In law there are two, not three: health insurance and third-party liability insurance for motor vehicles. What is often counted as the third is a contractual requirement.
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In brief
In the Netherlands the law imposes two insurance obligations on private individuals. Anyone who lives here or pays wage tax has to take out health insurance under the Health Insurance Act. Anyone with a motor vehicle in their name has to insure it Taking out third-party liability insurance under Article 2 of the Dutch Motor Insurance Liability Act (WAM), even if the vehicle is not used. There are no further statutory obligations for private individuals.
The third insurance that is often counted is buildings insurance. That is not a statutory obligation but a condition in almost every mortgage deed: the lender wants to see its security insured. A tenancy agreement, VvE regulations or a client can also require insurance. That is a contractual obligation, with its own sanction: not a fine, but a breach of contract.
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Three types of obligation
The difference between the law, a contract and a sensible choice.
Required by someone else
Not law, but binding once you sign.
- Buildings insurance in the mortgage deed
- Glass or contents cover through the tenancy agreement
- AVB required by your client
- Professional rules for lawyers and civil-law notaries
Not compulsory, but common
Voluntary policies that many households take out anyway.
- Personal liability, the AVP
- Home contents insurance (inboedelverzekering)
- Legal expenses and travel insurance
- Funeral or term life insurance
What is covered
| Situation | Compulsory by law | Often required by contract |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance for people living in the Netherlands | Yes | No |
| Third-party liability cover for a car, motorcycle or scooter | Yes | No |
| Buildings insurance (opstalverzekering) with a mortgage | No | Yes |
| Professional indemnity cover in certain professions | Yes | Yes |
| Personal liability insurance (AVP) | No | No |
| Glass insurance under the tenancy agreement | No | Provided that |
If in doubt, look in your mortgage deed, tenancy agreement or division regulations; they state exactly what is required.
What does your premium depend on?
- Form of cover for the vehicle: third-party liability, third-party, fire and theft, or comprehensive
- No-claims years: determine your bonus-malus step
- Rebuild value of the home: the basis of the buildings premium
- Postcode area: burglary, storm and water risk
- Excess: higher amount, lower premium
- Package discount: more policies, a lower rate
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is where your saving is.
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.
Why arrange it through Finass Verzekert?
We look at the terms as well as the premium, and stay your point of contact when there is a claim.
Independent
We are not tied to one insurer and compare on the basis of an objective analysis of several companies.
One fixed adviser
You call or email someone who knows your file. No menu options, no changing call centres.
Switching without hassle
We cancel your old policy and align the start date, so you are never a day without cover.
Help with claims
We report the claim and monitor how it is handled. In urgent cases you can reach us on the emergency line.
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.
Two qualifications
Why the figure keeps going round and why compulsory is not the same as covered.
Why people think of three
The third place is filled variously with buildings insurance, with AVP or with the national insurance schemes. The latter, such as the AOW, the Anw and the Wlz, are compulsory but are not a policy: you are insured by operation of law and pay through wage tax. So there is nothing to choose or take out. For entrepreneurs there is sometimes a compulsory professional indemnity insurance as well, for financial advisers under Article 4:75 of the Financial Supervision Act, for example.
Compulsory is not the same as covered
A compulsory third-party liability policy covers only damage to others, never damage to your own vehicle. Also excluded is damage during speed contests, damage while the driver does not hold a valid licence or is under the influence, and damage caused by intent or recklessness under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code. Health insurance pays only for care in the basic package, with a statutory excess.
Frequently asked questions
This is what people ask us most.
So is it two or three?
In law, two: health insurance for anyone who lives in the Netherlands or pays wage tax here, and third-party liability insurance for every motor vehicle registered in your name. Anyone who names a third almost always means buildings insurance (opstalverzekering). That is not in the law, but in the mortgage conditions of almost every lender.
What happens if I have no health insurance?
The CAK traces people who are required to be insured but are not and first sends a reminder to take out insurance yourself. If that does not happen, an administrative fine follows and ultimately automatic cover whose premium is deducted from your income. Healthcare costs you incurred during the uninsured period remain at your own expense.
Is buildings insurance (opstalverzekering) required by law?
No. There is no law requiring a homeowner to insure their home. In reality almost every mortgage lender does require it, because the home is the security. With a flat the buildings cover usually runs through the VvE's joint policy, whose basis is the regulations under Article 5:112 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Is liability insurance compulsory?
For private individuals, no. The AVP is voluntary, while your liability under Article 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code simply exists and can run high with personal injury. For some professions the position is different: financial advisers, lawyers and civil-law notaries do have to hold professional indemnity insurance under legislation or professional rules.
Every situation is different. For these situations we have a separate page.
- Compare personal liability insurance (AVP)The main page
- Does everyone have insurance?Compulsory, voluntary, uninsured
- Which two types of insurance are compulsory?Health insurance, third-party motor liability ·. The rest is contractual
- Insurance in the NetherlandsCompulsory, customary, supervision
- Which insurances are compulsory in the Netherlands?Two by law, by contract, by profession
- Insurance for expats in the NetherlandsDuty of care, compulsory third-party cover, liability
- Which insurance is compulsory in your situation?Resident, registered keeper, entrepreneur
- Which insurance is compulsory?Registration, Article 2 WAM, health insurance
- Which insurance is recommended?Liability, home contents, legal expenses
Would you like to know what you really need?
Ask for advice without obligation. We separate the obligations from the wishes.
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 compiled by Finass Verzekert (LinkedIn). Last updated on .
The information on this page is general in nature and is not personal advice.