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Insurance guide

Know the system. Know the words.

Which insurance is required, what the Dutch terms mean and what to do when you claim.

123 Insurance › Insurance guide · Last checked: 26 October 2026

Required, advised or optional?

Required

Health insurance for everyone who lives or works here. WA car insurance if you own a car.

Strongly advised

Liability insurance and contents insurance, for every household.

Depends on you

Travel, legal expenses, building (owners), disability (self-employed), life and funeral.

Usually skip

Insurance for small items like phones, offered at the till – often expensive for little cover.

Dutch insurance words

Polis

Your policy – the contract with the insurer.

Premie

What you pay, monthly or yearly.

Eigen risico

The part of a claim you pay yourself.

Dekking

What the insurance covers.

Eigen bijdrage

A personal contribution for some care, separate from the own risk.

Schadeformulier

The claim form.

Assurantiebelasting

21% insurance tax on most insurances – not on health insurance.

Opzegtermijn

Notice period to cancel – usually one month after the first year.

Claims and complaints

Report quickly

Report damage as soon as possible, with photos and receipts.

Police report

For theft or burglary, most insurers ask for a police report.

Disagree?

Complain to the insurer first. Then the independent Kifid can decide.

Kifid →

Check the licence

Advisers and insurers must be in the AFM register.

AFM register →

Avoid insurance scams

Unexpected calls

Never give your BSN or bank details to a caller who says he is from your insurer.

Pay the company

Pay premiums to the insurer’s company account – never to a private account.

Too cheap?

Policies far below market price, sold through social media, are a warning sign.

Report it

Report fraud to the Fraud Helpdesk.

Fraud helpdesk →
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123 Insurance gives general information and refers you to licensed insurers and advisers. We are not an insurer, we do not sell policies and we do not give personal insurance advice. Amounts are for 2026 unless stated otherwise – always check the official source and your policy conditions.