In the Netherlands, some insurances are mandatory, like health insurance, while others are optional. With so many choices available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. To help you out, I’ve highlighted four types of insurances that can be especially useful in everyday life.
1. Legal Expenses Insurance or Rechtsbijstandverzekering
I never thought I would need a legal expenses insurance. Until I needed one. But it was already too late because the problem had already occurred. What happened: we hired a contractor to work on renovations in our house. He was not responding to our calls and not coming to our appointments. So we fired him. Seven months later, he came back. He told us that we owe him money for material he bought. He also claimed we owe him for the time he spent on our project. He threatened he would take us to court.
Unfortunately such events with contractors or disputes with neighbors due to renovation work are more common that you would think. And believe me, (good) lawyers are expensive.
Better safe than sorry with a legal insurance.
Please note that there are different types of legal insurance like for housing, income or consumer insurance. In many cases the insurer reimburses the court costs.
2. Liability insurance or Aansprakelijkheidsverzekering
Did you accidentally damaged the very expensive furniture of a friend? Or even worst you accidentally injured a person? That would cost you a lot of money. With a liability insurance you do not have to pay for such rare but costly events.
3. Contents insurance or Inboedelverzekering
Think of contents insurance as a safety net for all the things that make your house feel like home. It covers the movable items in your home and garden, like furniture, electronics and clothes. The cost of the insurance depends on how valuable your stuff is. The more things you have, the more expensive the insurance. And if something unexpected happens, like theft, fire, or water damage, you’re covered.
4. Travel Insurance or Reisverzekering
As an expat in the Netherlands, I travel at least two times a year to see my family back home. If I consider trips with my partner for long weekends, we (used to) fly up to five times a year. If you are traveling a lot, or far, probably it would make sense to get a travel insurance. Then you are covered for extra costs that occur due to illness, strike or loss of passport. Repatriation after an accident or illness is also covered.
Before taking out a new optional insurance policy in the Netherlands, check what’s already covered by your existing insurances. This way you avoid paying twice for the same protection
Until next time, stay savvy.
