Third-party liability for plant and machinery
- Compulsory on public roads
- Also during work
- Cables and pipes separately
WAM obligation · own-damage cover · vibration damage
Insuring a roller
A roller almost always works on or alongside the public road. That makes third-party liability cover compulsory in practically every case and puts vibration damage high on the risk list.
- several insurers compared objectively
- 9.5 customer rating for a new policy
- AFM licence 12016589
- Personal 072 - 509 24 56, weekdays 9–17
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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 for yourself what it would cost.
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
A self-propelled roller is a motor vehicle within the meaning of the WAM. Because road works by definition take place on or beside the public road, third-party liability insurance under Article 2 of the Dutch Motor Insurance Liability Act (WAM) is always compulsory. That obligation exists with or without a registration number and applies even where the machine stays inside a coned-off working area that forms part of the public road.
The own-damage cover relates to the roller itself: collision, rolling off an embankment or verge, fire, storm and theft from the work site. In addition there is the distinction that recurs on every equipment policy. Damage on the roller is own damage. Damage through the roller to someone else is liability, and that divides into damage while driving and damage arising from the work.
With a roller that second category is the biggest risk. Vibration damage to adjoining buildings, cables, pipes or paving arises from the work and not from driving, and is therefore assessed on the public and employers' liability insurance. Many AVB policies also have their own exclusion or module for it.
What does roller insurance cover?
The policy has a compulsory third-party liability layer, an own-damage layer and modules covering transport and the driver.
Own-damage cover
Damage to the machine, the body and the attachments.
- Fire and storm
- Theft from the site
- Overturning and collision
Extensions
What you add separately.
- Inherent defect and machinery breakdown
- Transport to the site
- Hired plant
What is covered
| Situation | Third-party liability for plant and machinery | Own-damage cover |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to a building or a parked car next to the site | Yes | No |
| Theft of the machine from the building site | No | Provided that |
| Fire and storm damage | No | Yes |
| Inherent defect in the hydraulics or the engine | No | Provided that |
| Damage to the item you are working on with the machine | No | No |
| Wear and deferred maintenance | No | No |
Mobile plant is a motor vehicle within the meaning of the WAM and needs third-party liability insurance on public roads; non-mobile plant does not. Damage to cables and pipes is generally only covered if the excavation notification has been made and the trial trenches have been dug. The item you work on with the machine falls under the care, custody and control exclusion.
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.
Where road works go wrong
Four points that determine whether the policy actually pays out after a claim.
Vibration damage does not belong on the equipment policy
Cracks in a facade, subsided paving or a broken pipe next to the working area are not vehicle damage but damage arising from the activity. That claim is assessed on the AVB, and many AVB policies exclude vibration and compaction damage or require a separate module for it. Before work starts, have the pre-condition survey or structural survey recorded. Without that record it is virtually impossible to establish afterwards which damage was caused by your work.
Working in the public space
A roller stands amid passing traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. The WAM cover is therefore not a formality but the layer that is actually called upon. Also pay attention to the cordoning: if it has not been set up in accordance with the arrangements with the highway authority, that can weigh in the question of liability where there is injury. Photograph the cordon and the traffic measures at the start of every working area.
What is not included
The following, among others, are outside the cover: wear and tear and ageing, including normal wear of drums and tyres; an mechanical or electrical failure without an external cause, such as a failed vibration unit; damage caused by overloading or incorrect use, for example vibrating on ground the machine is not intended for; damage to the the load or the workpiece, and therefore also to the asphalt or sand bed you are compacting; operation by someone without the required certification; and damage caused by intent or recklessness under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Moving between working areas
If the roller drives itself to the next section, the ordinary cover applies. If it goes on a trailer or low-loader, it is cargo and damage during loading, lashing, transport and unloading often falls outside own-damage cover. Arrange a transit module for that. Report a loss as soon as is reasonably possible; Article 7:941 of the Dutch Civil Code requires you to do so and a late report can cost you your cover.
What does your premium depend on?
- Value and year of construction: the basis for the own-damage premium
- Type and weight class: vibrating roller or static roller
- Work in the public space: traffic around the working area
- Proximity of buildings: risk of vibration damage
- Security and storage: tracking, fencing and key management
- Excess and claims history: earlier claims count
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.
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
This is what people ask us most.
Is roller insurance compulsory?
Third-party liability cover is compulsory as soon as the roller uses the public road as a motor vehicle, and with road works that is almost always the case. Article 2 WAM imposes that requirement, without a registration number as well. Own-damage cover is not compulsory by law, but financiers and leasing companies often do require it for as long as the machine has not been paid off.
Is vibration damage to surrounding buildings covered?
Not on the plant and machinery policy. It is damage arising from the work and is assessed on the public and employers' liability insurance. Many AVB policies, however, exclude vibration and compaction damage or cover it only through a separate module. Ask about this explicitly and have a structural pre-condition survey carried out beforehand.
What is a pre-condition survey and why is it needed?
A pre-condition survey is a structural inspection of the surrounding buildings before work begins, usually with photographs and crack widths. Without that survey it cannot be established afterwards whether a crack was caused by your work or already existed. Insurers and clients ask for one almost without exception for compaction work in built-up areas.
May a hired-in worker operate the roller?
Only if he is authorised and certified and works with your permission. If the required certification is missing, an own-damage claim can be refused. With a third-party liability claim the insurer usually does pay the injured party, because the WAM protects that third party, but it can then recover the amount paid from you. Keep the certificates.
Is the roller insured during transport?
If it drives itself, the ordinary cover applies. If it goes on a trailer or low-loader, it is cargo and damage during loading, transport and unloading often falls outside own-damage cover. A transit module or own-account transport cover exists for that. If you move between working areas daily, arrange this in advance.
Read more
Within Werkmaterieelverzekering
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Is your roller properly insured?
Request a quote without obligation. We set the WAM obligation, the own-damage conditions and how they dovetail with the AVB 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.