The VvE insures · owner's interest · what you arrange yourself
Buildings insurance (opstalverzekering) for an apartment
With a flat, the VvE (Dutch owners' association) insures the building. So you do not need buildings insurance of your own — but you do need something else.
Deze pagina in het Nederlands: Opstalverzekering bij een appartement.
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A premium indication, not personal advice. Prefer to talk it through? Call 072 - 509 24 56.
What the VvE insures
The association is obliged under Article Article 5:112 of the Dutch Civil Code to insure the building. That applies to all the flats together, on a rebuild value basis.
That policy usually covers the shell condition: the building as it was handed over.
What falls in between
What you had installed yourself — a new kitchen, a glued-down floor, a bathroom, an air conditioning unit — is owner's interest. It is fixed in place and therefore not contents, but the VvE policy often covers only the original condition.
That difference can amount to tens of thousands of euros. Ask the board whether the VvE has arranged the owner's interest collectively; if not, include it on your home contents insurance.
What to look out for
Check that the VvE keeps the rebuild value up to date. If it is too low, the whole association is underinsured and every claim is paid proportionately — including one on your flat.
Ask for the policy schedule each year; as an owner you are entitled to it.
What you arrange yourself
A home contents insurance with the owner's interest section, and a liability insurance. The VvE policy does not cover your personal liability.
Read more
Similar pages
- Is my kitchen covered by the buildings insurance (opstalverzekering)?
- Is a kitchen home contents or buildings?
- Is a PVC floor buildings or contents?
- Do you need buildings insurance (opstalverzekering)?
- Insuring an owner's interest in a VvE
- What exactly counts as buildings?
- Buildings insurance (opstalverzekering) for an apartment
- The VvE's buildings insurance (opstalverzekering)
Frequently asked questions
The questions we are asked most often about this.
Do I need buildings insurance of my own?
No; the VvE insures the building under Article 5:112 of the Dutch Civil Code.
What is owner's interest?
What you had installed yourself; that often falls outside the VvE policy.
How do I insure that?
As a section on your home contents insurance, unless the VvE has arranged it collectively.
What if the VvE is underinsured?
Then every claim is paid proportionately, including one on your flat.
May I see the policy schedule?
Yes; as an owner you are entitled to it. Ask for it each year.
Does the VvE cover my liability?
No; you arrange that yourself with liability insurance.
What is covered and what is not
Which policy pays
| Situation | VvE buildings insurance (opstalverzekering) | Your own home contents policy |
|---|---|---|
| A fire that starts in the stairwell and damages the shell of your flat | Yes | No |
| The kitchen you had installed yourself is damaged in that same fire | Provided that | Yes |
| Storm damage to the communal roof | Yes | No |
| The floor you had glued down is damaged by a leak from above | No | Yes |
| Your furniture and clothing are lost in a house fire | No | Yes |
| A visitor is injured after tripping in your flat | No | No |
Always report a claim to the VvE and to your own insurer; which policy pays which part only becomes clear after the loss has been assessed.