Dutch Insurance
Before you move into a new residence, it is advisable to purchase certain insurances. You are required to have Dutch health insurance as a resident of the Netherlands, but it is also advisable to take out home insurance ('inboedelverzekering' in Dutch) and liability insurance ('aansprakelijkheidsverzekering' in Dutch). There are a range of different insurances available, but these are the three main insurances that you ought to purchase.
Health insurance
Health insurance in the Netherlands is of great importance: everyone is obliged to have this insurance. The government determines the basic coverage required, but you are able to purchase additional insurances if necessary. Additional insurances are not compulsory, but they can prove useful and cost-saving, for example if you pay extra and receive a discount on contact lenses or dental treatment. Many different health insurance providers offer the basic cover and additional policies. You are free to choose the health insurance company that you wish to join.
Health insurance is not cheap in the Netherlands: even basic cover will usually cost €100 a month or more. To ensure that health insurance is affordable for everyone, the Dutch government has introduced a kind of health insurance state benefit, known as the care allowance. This benefit is based mainly on the composition of your household and your income. Most people will qualify for a care allowance, which is paid by the Tax and Customs administration ('Belastingdienst' in Dutch).
Home Contents Insurance
Home contents insurance enables you to protect your belongings against fire, storm and burglary. You may consider home insurance an unnecessary expense, or regard the chances of fire or theft to be minimal. However, should the worst happen this insurance will entitle you to compensation for the belongings lost. It is wise to have your belongings valued. If you have some very valuable items, you may need to purchase a 'valuable items insurance' in addition to the normal home contents insurance. Some kinds of glass (such as very large windows, or specialised kinds of glass) may also require extra insurance.
Make sure that you take reasonable security measures to protect your belongings, such as locking the door of your room when you leave it. Check the terms and conditions of your insurance policy to ascertain whether you are covered for all eventualities: some insurance providers do not cover burglary in areas with a high crime rate, nor cover damage caused by certain natural disasters. Home contents insurance is available from the majority of insurance providers, with specialised insurances available for students.
Liability insurance
Liability insurance covers you for any damage you, your household members and sometimes even your pets cause for which you would be liable, unless you purposefully damage something. Liability insurance reimburses any costs incurred from damaging property or a member of the general public. Liability insurance does not cover damage caused by firearms or vehicles.
Some insurance companies will allow you to increase the amount that you pay towards a claim, that is, your excess. This will reduce the cost of your monthly premiums. You may wish to purchase all your insurances at the same company, since some companies offer you a package discount.
