You can arrange insurance through your employer or a private insurance company (See the national association of insurers at www.verzekeraars.nl).

Aside from obligatory medical insurance, you may need specific insurance if you are self-employed (and pregnant while self-employed) although there may be an applicable welfare benefit.

House and home

If you own your home, you should take out homeowner’s insurance — woonhuisverzekering and/or opstalverzekering — on the building. Frequently properties in the Netherlands are sold without the actual land, so your focus is on the building itself. A standard policy covers fire, storm, flood and theft. In terms of flood, there is a distinction between rainwater flooding and damage (covered) and water damage due to a breakdown in the dykes, for example (not covered). Houseboat dwellers come under separate conditions.

In terms of flood coverage, a distinction is made between rainwater damage and flooding, which is covered, and damage and flooding caused by breakdowns in the dike systems, which is covered by the government. Also not included are damages accrued through lack of upkeep or essential repairs.

If you are a tenant, you should find out the details of your landlord's insurance covering damage caused by natural disasters to the building and if your contents are included.

Also bear in mind that you are not generally allowed to make significant alternations to rented apartments. Significant changes may invalidate your policy, which is based on an estimate of total costs and values. Speak to both your insurance company and your landlord if you intend to make major changes.

Belongings

Regardless of whether you are homeowner or a tenant, insure your belongings and the contents of your home with inboedelverzekering. Contents insurance should cover most of your furniture, glass breakage and general contents such as computers and other appliances. An annual household contents policy starts at about EUR 20 depending on what is covered.  For high-value items such as art, jewellery and antiques you will need a separate kostbaarhedenverzekering.

The Netherlands, as much as elsewhere in Western Europe, has a big problem with non-violent burglaries. When your representative comes to access your belongings for insurance, one of the things that will be checked is the security system and locks on the premises. If suggested, changes to these can bring the cost of your insurance down. It is also important to have your contents reassessed on a regular basis, at least every two years.

Drivers
Third-party insurance is required by law. An allriskverzekering covers you and your car against fire, theft and damage.

Life insurance
Known as levensverzkering, it is similar to schemes in most other countries. Uitvaartverzekering (burial insurance) may be beyond the zekerheid (assurance) most expats need.

Other types

You must by law have at least third-party insurance for your car. You might also want to insure your car against theft, fire and damage/injury to yourself and your vehicle. This is known as allriskverzekering.

Third-party insurance, or aansprakelijkheid, or liability insurance, protects you if your cleaner drops your precious china, or your child spills grape juice on your neighbour’s oriental carpet.

Many large insurers offer combination packages that can bring down costs and avoid the problems of figuring out which company or policy covers which damage in times of need. Most companies recommend a combination which also includes third-party liability insurance, whether a homeowner or tenant.

Research shows that some 15 percent of Dutch households have legal insurance (Rechtbijstandverzekering), guaranteeing (cheaper) access to legal advice. It insures against costs of lawsuits and personal and labour disputes.

If you need advice, call the Union of Insurance Companies (Het Verbond van Verzekeraars) on 070 - 333 85 00 or speak to your bank or financial advisor.