Different types of insurance
In the Netherlands, you can take out different types of insurance to protect yourself and your belongings. Some insurances are mandatory. Others are useful to have. On this page you can read which insurances there are.
An insurance policy is a contract with an insurance company
An insurance company gives you money if something happens for which you are insured with the insurance company. For example, if you get sick and have to go to the hospital or if you accidentally break something at someone else's house.
You pay money for the insurance policy you have a contract for. You usually have to do this every month. This is called a "premie" (premium). You get proof from the insurance company that you are insured. This is called a "polis" (policy). This shows what insurance you have and what exactly is insured.
There are many types of insurance where you can take out a contract. Some insurances are mandatory in the Netherlands. Your contact from
Below you can read about the different types of insurance:
Compulsory insurance
These insurances are compulsory:
Healthcare insurance
Everyone in the Netherlands must have healthcare insurance. This insurance reimburses costs for doctor's visits, medications and hospitalisations.
In addition to the compulsory basic insurance, you can take out additional insurance if you wish. For example, for dental care or physical therapy.
Sometimes compulsory: liability insurance
A liability insurance policy is a type of insurance that protects you if you accidentally break something or injure someone. Imagine you are visiting someone and you accidentally knock over an expensive vase. Or your dog runs into someone in the park, causing them to fall. If you have this insurance you do not have to pay all the costs yourself if something goes wrong. The insurance takes care of this for you.
If you own a car, motorcycle, moped or scooter, liability insurance ("WA-verzekering") is compulsory. If you damage others with your motor vehicle or cause a serious accident, for example, you are insured for this.
This is how compulsory health insurance works
Important insurances
Below you will read about insurances that are not compulsory but are important:
Contents insurance
With household contents insurance, you insure everything in your home such as furniture, appliances, clothing and books. The insurance company pays out money if the things in your home are damaged due to, for example, fire, water, lightning or burglary.
It depends on the insurance company which items are insured, as does the maximum amount of money you get from the insurance company if something happens to it.
Funeral insurance and repatriation
Funeral insurance pays part of the cost of your funeral or cremation. This is important so that your family and friends will not have high bills to pay when you die.
If you want to be buried in your country of origin, you can also insure yourself for "repatriation". This means that if you die you will be taken to your country of origin. This insurance is usually expensive.
Other insurances
There are many other insurance policies you can take out, such as travel insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and legal expenses insurance. First, see if you really need the insurance. Ask yourself the following two questions:
Is the premium too high relative to the amount you will be paid if something happens?
Is the insurance premium too expensive for you? If you do not really need the insurance, it might be better to cancel it.
Your contact at VWN or your social worker from another organisation can support you in choosing insurance policies.