Third-party liability, own-damage cover and the basis of valuation
- Third-party liability is compulsory under the WAM
- Third-party, fire and theft covers named causes
- Comprehensive cover also covers your own fault
- Watch the switch to market value
WAM obligation · tools · staff
Why you should not leave your van insurance on autopilot
Van insurance is often chosen on price and then not looked at again for years. With commercial vehicles in particular, the risk shifts faster than the policy.
- several insurers compared objectively
- 9.5 customer rating for a new policy
- AFM licence 12016589
- Personal 072 - 509 24 56, weekdays 9–17
Deze pagina in het Nederlands: Waarom u de bestelwagenverzekering niet op de automatische piloot moet laten lopen.
Calculate your premium or request a quote
Without obligation; a reply within one working day.
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 your own premium with the calculator.
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
Every van with a valid registration number is subject to the insurance obligation in Article 2 of the Dutch Motor Insurance Liability Act (WAM). That third-party liability cover is the statutory minimum and deals only with damage you cause to others with the vehicle. Everything above that — damage to your own vehicle, the contents of the load space, the vehicle being off the road and the consequences for your staff — is a choice you either make or leave.
The problem with commercial vehicles is that reality changes and the policy does not. You cover more kilometres, start making deliveries instead of carrying your own materials, let hired-in worker drive, or fit the van out with racking and equipment. Each of those changes affects the details declared on the policy schedule, and with them the duty of disclosure under Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code. If it turns out when you claim that the declaration is no longer correct, the insurer can reduce or refuse payment under Article 7:930 of the Dutch Civil Code.
The second blind spot is the contents. If there is a break-in, the own-damage cover pays for the damage to the van, but not for the tools that have gone. See also business contents and goods insurance for that side of the risk.
Where are the gaps in practice?
Three elements are most often overlooked with vans.
Tools and load
What is in the load space is not covered by the motor policy.
- Separate tools insurance
- Requirements for overnight parking
- Your own goods versus customers' goods
- Fitted racking to be declared separately
Drivers and staff
Who drives, and what risk that brings for your business as an employer.
- The range of drivers on the policy
- Reporting agency workers
- Injury to the driver themselves
- WEGAM or WEGAS as an addition
What is covered
| Situation | Third-party liability only | Full arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| Damage to someone else's vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Theft of or fire in the van | No | Yes |
| Single-vehicle damage caused by yourself | No | Yes |
| Tools stolen from the load space | No | Provided that |
| Injury to your own driver in traffic | No | Provided that |
| A fine or a criminal sanction | No | No |
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.
Four reasons to look at the policy again
It is not the premium but how well the policy matches your actual use that determines its value.
The declared use changes faster than you think
The policy schedule states the use: own transport, carriage of goods for hire or reward, or courier work. If you take on delivery runs, go abroad more often or your annual mileage rises sharply, the declaration no longer matches reality. A different overnight parking address counts too. This falls under the duty of disclosure in Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code; when you claim, the insurer can adjust or refuse payment under Article 7:930 of the Dutch Civil Code. Report changes as they occur and have them confirmed in writing.
Own-damage cover alone is not business continuity
A van that burns out or is stolen costs more than its market value. You cannot make deliveries, the schedule slips and customers go elsewhere. As standard, a replacement transport is not part of van insurance; that is a module or an arrangement through a repair network. Also watch out for the valuation arrangement: many policies pay market value after a limited period. Under Article 7:960 of the Dutch Civil Code insurers may not pay more than the loss actually suffered, so a generous sum insured does not solve this.
Do staff or agency workers drive the van?
For damage to third parties it makes no difference who is driving: the WAM cover follows the vehicle. For own-damage loss a restricted range of drivers or an age clause may apply. More important is the risk to you as an employer: if an employee is injured in work-related traffic, liability can arise from good employment practice (Article 7:611 of the Dutch Civil Code). There are separate covers for that, known as WEGAM and WEGAS. Motor insurance does not absorb this, not even with comprehensive cover.
What is excluded as standard
The following are excluded, among others: driving without a valid driving licence or while disqualified from driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and taking part in speed trials or runs on a circuit. In addition, wear and tear, mechanical defects and construction faults fall outside it, as does damage to the the load carried itself and theft where there are no signs of forced entry or the keys were in the vehicle. Traffic fines cannot be insured, and intent or wilful recklessness is excluded under Article 7:952 of the Dutch Civil Code.
What does your premium depend on?
- Type and value of the van — weight, year of construction and specification
- Stated use — carrying your own goods or making deliveries
- Number of vehicles — from a few vans onwards a fleet approach applies
- Drivers — age and changing drivers
- Storage and security — an enclosed site or the public road
- Claims history — number and size of previous claims
Insurers weigh these details differently. That is why comparing pays off.
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
The questions we are asked most often about this.
Is the cheapest van insurance a problem?
Not by definition. It becomes a problem when the low premium is the result of an incomplete declaration or of cover that does not match your use. So compare not only the premium, but also the excess, the basis of valuation, the range of drivers and whether a replacement vehicle is included.
Are my tools covered by the motor insurance?
No. The own-damage cover applies to the vehicle and the parts permanently built into it. Loose machines, hand tools and materials in the load space fall outside it. After a break-in, the lock, door and window are paid for, but not what was taken. That calls for tools or business contents insurance, usually with requirements for overnight parking and record-keeping.
What is the difference between WEGAM and motor insurance?
Motor insurance deals with liability towards third parties and damage to the vehicle. WEGAM and WEGAS covers relate to your liability as an employer where an employee is injured in work-related traffic, based on good employment practice under Article 7:611 of the Dutch Civil Code. That claim comes from your own staff and falls outside the motor policy.
Do I have to report every change in my business?
Changes that affect the risk, yes: a different use, more kilometres, different drivers, a different parking address, fitting out or signwriting. If in doubt, report it anyway. The duty of disclosure in Article 7:928 of the Dutch Civil Code and its consequences in Article 7:930 DCC make an unreported change a risk that only becomes visible when a claim is settled.
Is comprehensive cover worthwhile for an older van?
That depends on the market value. With a van that is worth only a limited amount, the premium for own-damage cover can approach the possible payment within a few years. Third-party, fire and theft then covers the most common risks: fire, theft, break-in, storm and glass damage. Have both options calculated before you reduce the cover.
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Would you like your policy reviewed?
Request a quote without obligation; we check the declared use, the range of drivers and the cover for tools.
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.