Frequently asked questions about car insurance

We have already dedicated several articles in our blog to car insurance. You generally have a choice of 3 different coverages:

• WA (third-party liability)
• WA+ (limited casco)
• All-risk (extended hull)

The exact name depends on the insurer and so do the conditions. However, there are similarities between different providers.

Differences car insurance policies

• The Third-party insurance is the most basic car insurance. This insurance covers damage to others and provides assistance in case of damage. Additional cover varies by insurer.
• WA+ (limited casco) covers more damage. In addition to damage to others, consider fire and storm damage, burglary and theft, animal damage and window damage, for example.
• The name all risk says it all, all the risk will be covered. The main difference between all-risk car insurance and limited casco is that an insurer will also cover collision damage in case you are at fault in an accident. Vandalism will also be covered which is not the case with limited casco. But to be sure if this is also the case with your insurer of choice, we always refer you to the insurer for more info!

Frequently asked questions about car insurance

The differences between the insurances is in itself clear but still many people have additional questions. Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions. Remember that there are differences between insurers, so always contact the insurer of your choice for the current conditions and coverage. Being well informed is half the battle.

• What about claim-free years?
  Generally speaking, for every year you are insured and have not had a claim you get a claim-free year. The more claim-free years you build up, the lower the premium will be. If you do get a claim, you can lose the claim-free years.
• If I have damage, can I have it repaired at any garage?
  This varies by insurer; with some insurers, you have free choice. Other insurers require you to go to an affiliated garage. So be well informed about this! There are also additional insurances where you are free to choose the repair company so you can still choose which garage you go to. So find out more about this before you take out insurance.
• How much is the deductible?
  This too varies from one insurer to another. How high the excess is has to do with several factors such as the driver's age and which insurance you choose. So get this straight before buying insurance.
• Is my car insured even if someone else drives my car?
  Yes, car insurance actually applies to the car and not a person. If it happens that someone else is behind the wheel, the car is insured as usual. The owner of the car does remain liable for everything that happens to the car.
• I want to sell my car, what do I do about insurance?
  Very simple, cancel your insurance! Report this to your insurer so that the insurance stops or is transferred to your new car.

What about travel insurance and the car?

Taking out travel insurance is a smart choice, after all, you never know what could happen during your road trip. Soon you'll be stuck with your car in the Pyrenees and need replacement transport. Of course, travel insurance (or car insurance) very many things that are not just about your car. But since we are a car blog, we are now just looking at what travel insurance can do for your vehicle.

Imagine you are cruising on holiday and suddenly you are hit from behind by an inattentive driver. It is not serious, you are not hurt yourself, but your car has to go to the garage. Especially if you drive a not so common make and model, this can take a long time in some countries. For example, if parts have to be ordered. Until the car is ready again, you have to arrange an overnight stay. That means: extra, unexpected costs. Or if it's even more serious: you do get injured and you can no longer drive and your car is totaled. In that case, you cannot travel back to the Netherlands yourself.

Let's not dwell on it too much, but of course this can happen to anyone. So if you want to go on holiday relaxed, it is definitely advisable to take out travel insurance. There are different packages and options per insurer, for instance choose extra coverage so that you and your car get back to the Netherlands safely. That return is called "repatriation". You can then simply go home and not pay for the costs. Especially when travelling far away, this is quite a relief. Be well informed by your insurer before you travel!