Own a car in the Netherlands? Then car insurance (autoverzekering) is required by law. We compare more than 23 policies from 14 Dutch insurers and specialise in expats: claim-free years from abroad can usually come with you and lower your premium.
Every Dutch car insurance starts with WA, the legal minimum. From there you decide how much of the damage to your own car you want to insure. The right choice mostly depends on the age and value of your car.
Covers the damage you cause with your car to other people and their property. Damage to your own car is not insured.
WA plus damage to your own car from causes beyond your control, such as theft, fire, storm, a broken windscreen or hitting an animal.
Covers damage to others and almost all damage to your own car, even when the accident was your own fault. Often required for a financed car.
Dutch car insurance works differently from most countries: the policy is linked to the car and its licence plate, not to the driver, and your claim-free years largely decide the price. This is the route from arrival to insured.
Insurers need a registered Dutch address and a citizen service number (BSN). Without them you cannot put a car in your name or take out Dutch car insurance.
A licence from an EU or EEA country stays valid in the Netherlands. With a licence from outside the EU you can usually drive for 185 days after registering; after that you need to exchange it or take the Dutch driving test. Some insurers are stricter with non-EU licences, which is where comparing pays off.
Buying a car in the Netherlands? The registration is transferred to your name via the RDW, at a registration counter or online. Bringing your own car? It has to be inspected and registered by the RDW first. You can only insure a car once it has a Dutch licence plate in your name.
Claim-free years built up abroad are not registered in the Dutch system. Request an official statement from your previous insurer, in English or Dutch, before you apply. It can lower your premium considerably.
Enter your licence plate, postcode and date of birth, compare cover and premiums and apply directly. The insurer will ask for the reporting code (meldcode) of the car, the last four digits of the chassis number, and a few questions about your claims history.
In the Netherlands your premium depends heavily on your claim-free years (schadevrije jaren). Every year without a claim moves you up the bonus ladder. This is where expats often overpay, and where we can help most.
An e-mail from your old insurer is usually not enough. Ask for the statement before you cancel your foreign policy.
Calculate with my no-claim yearsTwo neighbours with the same car can pay very different premiums. These six factors make the difference, and they are exactly what the comparison asks for.
The biggest factor. More years without a claim means a higher discount.
Young drivers pay more. From around 24 to 25 premiums drop noticeably.
Premiums are higher in busy cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague than in rural areas.
Make, model, weight, value and year of manufacture all count. Expensive and heavy cars cost more to insure.
The fewer kilometres you drive, the lower the risk. An honest estimate is enough.
WA is the cheapest, All Risk the most complete. A higher voluntary deductible (eigen risico) lowers your premium.
The obligation applies to every car registered in your name, even when it is parked and never driven. The RDW checks the register automatically: an uninsured car means a fine of €500, and the police can add at least €700 when they stop you (2026). Cause an accident without insurance and all damage is for your own account.
On top of WA, WA+ or All Risk you can add extra cover. You choose them in the comparison, and you only pay for what you add.
Help with a breakdown, flat tyre or dead battery, in the Netherlands or across Europe.
Covers injury and damaged belongings of the driver and passengers after an accident, regardless of who was at fault.
Legal help to recover your damage from the other party or in a dispute about the repair of your car.
One claim per year without losing your built-up discount.
After theft or total loss you get the new or purchase price back instead of the lower current value.
Extras that were added later, such as alloy wheels, a tow bar or a sound system.
The questions we get most from internationals, answered.
Your licence is valid in the Netherlands and accepted by Dutch insurers. You do not need a Dutch licence first.
Possible at a number of insurers, but acceptance and premium differ. After 185 days as a resident you need a licence that is valid in the Netherlands.
Dutch insurance only covers cars with a Dutch plate. Once you live here, you have to register your car with the RDW without delay.
You need a registered address and a Dutch-plated car in your name. For stays under a year, car sharing or private lease is often the easier choice.
The policy follows the car, so a partner or friend with a valid licence can drive it. Always name the regular driver honestly: it affects the premium.
The lease company or your employer insures the car. Do ask for a statement of your claim-free lease years for later.
Yes. Every car registered in your name must have at least third-party liability insurance (WA), even if you do not drive it. WA covers the damage you cause to others.
A registered address in the Netherlands and a BSN, a car with a Dutch licence plate in your name and a driving licence that is valid in the Netherlands.
Not automatically, but often yes. You need an official statement from your previous insurer, in English or Dutch, showing your name, the policy period and the number of claim-free years. Insurers decide individually how many years they accept, which is why comparing matters.
With an EU or EEA licence, yes. With a licence from outside the EU it depends on the insurer, and after 185 days as a resident you need a licence that is valid in the Netherlands.
As a rule of thumb: All Risk for cars up to about 6 years old, WA+ (beperkt casco) for cars between 6 and 10 years, and WA for older cars. The value of your car and whether you could replace it yourself matter more than the exact age.
Yes. In the Netherlands the car is insured, not the driver, so anyone with a valid licence may drive it. You remain responsible as policyholder, and a claim affects your claim-free years.
Only for a short time. Once you are a resident you have to register the car with the RDW and get a Dutch licence plate. Only then can you take out Dutch car insurance.
No. Dutch car insurance is linked to a Dutch licence plate and runs until you cancel it, for example when you sell the car or leave the country. For a short stay, renting, car sharing or private lease is usually more practical.
Yes. After taking out car insurance you have a 14-day cooling-off period. After that, most policies can be cancelled daily or monthly.
Policy terms are normally in Dutch. That is exactly why our English-speaking advisors are there: to explain the cover before you sign and to help when you have a claim.
Compare car insurance in the Netherlands from 14 insurers, bring your claim-free years and apply online in English.
Prefer personal advice? Call 085 169 5990 or make an appointment. Free of charge.
This information is for general guidance only. Premiums, cover, acceptance of foreign claim-free years and conditions differ per insurer; the policy terms of the insurance you choose are leading. Fine amounts as known for 2026.
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