Car insurance is compulsory in the Netherlands, but which insurance best suits your situation? The range is vast and the differences in coverage and premium are considerable. Whether you own a new car or an older used car, it is important to choose insurance that suits your circumstances. In this article, we list the differences. Then you will have a better idea of all the options and be able to choose insurance that suits your situation.
The basis: legal obligation (WA)
As soon as you put a car in your name, you are obliged to take out at least third-party insurance. This insurance covers the damage you cause to others. For the government, this is a way of ensuring that victims of road accidents are compensated for their damages. The Rijksdienst voor het Wegverkeer (RDW) checks whether cars are insured and can impose a fine if they are not. So not insuring is not an option and we strongly advise against it. If you cause an accident without insurance, all damages will be recovered from you personally and you could also be fined. So don't do it!
Factor 1: the age of your car
An important first question is how old your car is.
- New car (0-5 years old): it often pays to opt for WA + Full Casco (All-risk) insurance. You are then also insured to damage to your own vehicle, even if it was your fault.
- Car 5-10 years old: a WA + Limited Casco insurance policy is usually a good choice. You are insured against damage caused by theft, fire or windscreen damage, for example.
- Car older than 10 years: for many drivers, third-party insurance is sufficient. The daily value of the car is then often too low to justify the extra premium of more comprehensive cover. Of course, there are exceptions as described below.
Factor 2: the value of the car
Not only age, but also value plays a role. A 15-year-old car may still have a high value, for example, a youngtimer or classic. In that case, it may be wise to choose a wider coverage anyway.
Factor 3: your driving record
How you use the car affects the best insurance.
- Few miles per year: there are insurance policies with lower premiums for drivers who drive little.
- High mileage and often in the city: the risk of damage is higher, so wider coverage or additional insurance may be wise.
- Long holiday trips: if you regularly travel abroad by car, a good breakdown insurance policy is a valuable addition.
- Self-knowledge, if you regularly make crashes, it may be wise to take out matching insurance.
Premium and excess
The premium depends on your age, claim-free years, place of residence and type of car. Often, you can also set an excess. A higher deductible usually means a lower premium, but also that you yourself pay more in case of damage. So look carefully at your financial buffer before choosing this.
Additional insurances
Besides the basic cover, you can opt for extras such as passenger insurance, legal assistance or breakdown cover. These additions can be useful, but make the insurance more expensive. Therefore, weigh up the pros and cons: do you really need these extras, or is the basic insurance sufficient?
Car insurance
Getting car insurance is easy online. It is important to look at the coverage that suits the age and value of your car as well as your use. For instance Nationale-Nederlanden car insurance different coverages and additional options. This allows you to decide which protection best suits your situation.
Tips for making the right choice
Compare annually whether your current car insurance still suits your situation, because circumstances may change and therefore a different insurance may suit you better. Pay close attention to your claim-free years, because the more years without claims you have accumulated, the lower the premium will usually be. Also, always read the small print, so that you do not only rely on the premium, but also understand which conditions and exclusions apply. Moreover, think ahead: do you expect to use the car for years to come, or is it just a temporary solution? Which car insurance suits your car will ultimately depend mainly on age, value and use. For a new car, all-risk insurance is often the best choice, while an older car is usually adequately insured with third-party insurance.
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