The Dutch law states that you must take out car insurance in the Netherlands if you own a car. At a minimum drivers must take out third-party car insurance which covers you against damage or injury to others caused by your vehicle. Keep reading to find out your options for car insurance as an expat.
It’s important to know that insurance policies in the Netherlands apply to the car, not the driver. This means anyone with a valid driving license can legally drive your car. However, the person whose name is on the insurance remains legally responsible for any damage. This also means you can only insure one car per insurance, with some companies offering additional car allowances.
Finding a good deal can take a little bit of research across different sites, including comparison sites. You should also familiarise yourself with the terminology (see below) for different types of cover.
There are also comparison sites like United Consumers that operate as consumer collectives. They purchase car insurance in bulk, then pay back members a discount into their bank account later on. You can also use them for health insurance and other products and they will help you to switch providers and save money.
Recommended car insurance providers
| Provider | Best for | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|
 | Comparison site covering wide range of insurers that accepts submitting foreign claim-free years. | Get a quote |
 | Consumer collective: Get paid discounts paid back into your bank account for car, health and other insurances. | Get a quote |
 | Online only insurance company with lower premiums. Submit foreign claim-free years. Website works well when translated to English. | Get a quote |
Car insurance costs (more for expats?)
According to insurance provider Diks.nl the average cost for insurance is €75 per month. But this can vary widely depending on a range of factors:
- The type of insurance taken
- The drivers history and claims-free bonus
- Drivers age
- The value of the car
- The age of the car
- The weight of the car
Some of these factors can adversely affect expats, especially the claim-free bonus, as many expats will not have accrued claim-free years in the Netherlands. As such they will not be on the database used by Dutch insurers to check this.
Update: Foreign claim-free years can be used (Jan, 2022)
Since January 2022 insurers can also accept a written statement from a foreign insurer and accept transfers of claim-free years. They can use this to make a deduction if you have claim-free years in a foreign country. It isn’t clear which companies offer this, or which countries it applies to (though Germany, Belgium and France seem more straightforward).
You will have to compare insurance quotes (inputting your claim-free years) and then follow up by contacting the insurer and submitting the statement of claim-free years. Preferably in English. This will be assessed by the underwriters and they will determine whether you quality for a discount.
Pricewise.nl allows you to compare a range of providers and to declare that you are sending a statement from a foreign insurer – they will handle this for you. Please come back and let us know if this worked for you in the comments!
Types of car insurance
There are three main types of car insurance in the Netherlands:
You can choose from three different coverages with your car insurance:
- Third-Party (WA-verzekering) : Mandatory in the Netherlands. Insures your car at least third-party liability. With this you are insured for damage that you cause to others with your car. Damage to your own car will not be reimbursed.
- Extended liability (WA-beperkt casco) : Various damages to your own car are also insured, such as fire damage, window damage and theft. Damage to your own car that is caused by your own fault is not covered.
- All-risk (allriskverzekering) : With this you are insured for almost all car damage.
| Cause of damage | Third-Party (WA-verzekering) | Extended liability (WA-beperkt casco) | All-risk (allriskverzekering) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damage to third parties | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fire, explosion, lightning strike | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Theft | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Windscreen crack | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Storm damage | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Damage cause by your own actions | ✔ | ||
| Vandalism | ✔ |
Cheapest car insurance providers for expats
As mentioned above, costs vary depending on a range of factors. One option is to use a comparison tool, or alternatively you can speak to a reuputable direct provider.
There are no specialist expat car insurers that we’re aware of but Ditzo.nl prides itself on customer service so may be your best bet. They also offer package deals for other insurance products.
The following comparison sites cover a range of insurance providers and have high customer service ratings:
For tips on getting lower premiums you can check this guide to costs and how premiums are calculated (in Dutch) which covers a whole range of things insurers take into account so you can make sure you include the right information in your application.
| Provider | Best for | Get a quote |
|---|---|---|
| Comparison site covering wide range of insurers that accepts submitting foreign claim-free years. | Get a quote |
| Consumer collective: Get paid discounts paid back into your bank account for car, health and other insurances. | Get a quote |
| Online only insurance company with lower premiums. Submit foreign claim-free years. Website works well when translated to English. | Get a quote |