What is private car insurance?
Private car insurance is car insurance for a car you use privately: for shopping, days out, holidays and driving to work. The car is usually registered in your name.
Every car with a Dutch licence plate must have at least third-party liability (WA) cover. This is required by the Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Act (WAM). A car parked on a public road must be insured as well.
Third-party, limited or comprehensive: which do you choose?
| Cover | What is insured | Often suits |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party (WA) | Damage you cause with your car to other people and their property | Older cars with a low current value |
| Third-party + limited cover (beperkt casco) | Also damage to your own car from, among other things, fire, theft, storm, window damage and collisions with animals | Middle-aged cars |
| Comprehensive (allrisk) | Also damage to your own car that you cause yourself, such as in a collision or hitting a post | New or expensive cars and leased or financed cars |
On top of the basic cover you can often add extras, such as passenger damage cover, legal expenses for traffic matters and breakdown assistance. The calculator shows which options each insurer offers.
What determines your premium?
- No-claim years: the longer you drive without claims, the higher your discount. After a claim paid by your insurer, the discount goes down.
- Kilometres per year: if you drive less, you usually pay less.
- The car: list price, weight, power and year of manufacture.
- The driver and where you live: including age and postcode.
- Cover and excess: comprehensive costs more than third-party; a higher excess often lowers the premium.
In the calculator you enter your licence plate. The car's details are looked up automatically, after which you fill in your use, kilometres and no-claim years and see the premiums of several insurers side by side. The calculator is in Dutch.
Private or business: which policy do you need?
If you only use the car privately and for commuting, private car insurance is enough. If you (also) use it for work, always state this honestly. If you drive as a courier, meal delivery driver or taxi, for example, you need a policy for business use; you can choose that in the calculator too. If the car is registered to your company, see commercial car insurance.
Driving electric? On our page about electric car insurance you can read what to look out for, such as the battery and the charging cable.
How do you take out the insurance?
- Calculate your premiumEnter your licence plate and a few details and compare premiums from several insurers.
- Choose your coverChoose third-party, limited or comprehensive cover and any extras.
- Apply onlineFill in your details and complete the application. You will receive your policy by email.
The calculator and the application run on our partner platform Voogd & Voogd. Do you have a question about your policy or a claim? We are happy to help, in English, Dutch or Chinese.
Frequently asked questions
Is car insurance compulsory in the Netherlands?
Yes. Every car with a Dutch licence plate must have at least third-party liability (WA) cover, even when it is parked on a public road. Driving without it is a criminal offence.
Can I take my no-claim years to a new insurer?
Yes. No-claim years are registered centrally, so a new insurer can take them over. In the calculator you enter your number of no-claim years yourself; the insurer then checks it.
How do I cancel my current car insurance?
A private insurance policy that has been renewed automatically can be cancelled at any time after the first contract year, with a notice period of at most one month. Make sure your new insurance starts as soon as the old one ends, so your car is always insured.
Can other people drive my car?
Usually, yes. If someone drives your car regularly, such as a partner or a young driver, state this when you apply. It can affect the premium.
I also use my car for work. Is that possible on a private policy?
Always state business use. For courier work, meal delivery or taxi, for example, you need a policy for business use; you can choose that in the calculator too. If the car is registered to your company, see commercial car insurance.
Related insurance
This page is general information, not personal advice. Terms and premiums differ by insurer and situation.