Buildings insurance (opstalverzekering) for a detached house

Four exposed elevations catch more wind

With nothing adjoining, the wind acts on every side and on the full roof surfaces. Ridge tiles, roof tiles, chimneys and dormer windows are therefore the most common storm claims with this type of house. Cover only starts at force 7; if the wind is weaker, you pay yourself. Damage that can be traced back to aged or loose roof covering also falls under the exclusion for poor maintenance, and a tree that blows over is not paid for itself.

Declare outbuildings on the same plot separately

A shed, garage, garden house, carport and canopy do not automatically fall under the buildings cover, or only up to a low maximum. Give the floor area and construction type for each outbuilding: a timber garden house is assessed differently from a brick garage, and the distance to the main building determines the chance of fire spreading within your own grounds. Boundary fencing, paving and external lighting also often have a sub-limit of their own.

Access and water for firefighting count in the underwriting

If the house stands on an unmade road, far from the village or without a hydrant or open water nearby, firefighting takes longer and the damage grows. Insurers ask about this on the application. An incorrect or incomplete answer touches the duty of disclosure under Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code and can lead to the payout being reduced or refused under Article 7:930 of the Dutch Civil Code.

Everything running across your own land

With a detached house, the connections for water, gas, electricity and drainage often run along a long route of your own, sometimes with a well, a propane tank or your own treatment plant. A leak or break in that section is your risk and not the network operator's. Damage caused by groundwater, flooding from outside and settlement remains excluded; for the last of these, see buildings insurance and foundations.

Solar panels, heat pump and charging point

With a detached house these are more often present. Declare them with a value; they are not always insured as standard.

A guarantee against underinsurance is not automatic

If you fill in the insurer's rebuild value calculator correctly, you will usually receive a guarantee against underinsurance: in the event of a claim the actual amount is paid, even if the sum insured turns out to be too low. Your policy schedule states whether you have that guarantee. Without it, the proportionality rule applies, and that also affects small claims.

Buildings insurance (opstalverzekering)