Insuring an Opel

There is more difference within a model name than between two makes

A Corsa with a small petrol engine and a Corsa with an electric drivetrain carry the same name but differ in weight, power and list price. The rating group therefore differs too. If you ask for a premium on make and model name, you get a figure that need not apply to your car. Give the type number and the year of manufacture, and the indication will be right.

The Combo, Vivaro and Movano follow the light commercial vehicle rules

For these variants a commercial vehicle rate applies and a different acceptance question: who drives it, what for, and how is the load space fitted out. Fixed fittings such as racking, a load floor or a roof rack do not automatically count in the list price; declare those separately with their value. Tools and materials in the load space fall outside every vehicle policy and call for separate cover.

On the electric versions, what hangs around the car counts too

The charging cable is a separate item and regularly disappears at a public charge point; whether theft of it is covered varies from policy to policy and is not automatically part of the own-damage cover. A charge point on the wall belongs to your home and falls under buildings insurance (opstalverzekering), not under the car policy. Loss of capacity of the battery pack is covered nowhere and is a warranty matter.

On an older Opel, the market value determines the own-damage assessment

Because parts are widely available, repairing an older Astra or Zafira often remains straightforward. On a total loss, however, you get the market value, and that falls faster than the own-damage premium does. Work out whether comprehensive cover still outweighs the value you would actually get back. Wear, rust and deferred maintenance are not insured under any cover.

Your no-claims years are held in Roy-data

You build up no-claims years for each year without an at-fault claim, and you usually lose five at once when a claim is paid. They are registered in Roy-data, the central system of Dutch insurers, and therefore transfer automatically to a new insurer. With most insurers, glass damage does not count.

Car insurance

Work out whether claiming pays

With an at-fault claim you usually lose five no-claims years and your premium rises for years, because you then climb back up step by step. For a small claim, paying yourself can be cheaper. Always ask for a damage assessment before you finalise a claim.