If there is one insurance product that virtually every Dutch person carries — and that many expats overlook — it is liability insurance. Known in Dutch as aansprakelijkheidsverzekering (or simply AVP or WA-verzekering), it covers damage you accidentally cause to other people or their property.
At just €3-5 per month, it is one of the cheapest and most valuable insurance policies you can have. Here is why nearly every expat in the Netherlands should consider getting it.
What Is Liability Insurance?
Liability insurance protects you when you accidentally cause damage to someone else or their belongings. In the Netherlands, if you cause damage, you are personally responsible for the full cost of repairs or compensation — and those costs can escalate quickly.
Unlike health insurance, liability insurance is not legally mandatory. But with over 90% of Dutch residents carrying it, it is considered a de facto necessity. The reason is simple: Dutch civil law (based on Article 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code) holds individuals financially liable for damages they cause through negligence.
What Does It Cover?
Liability insurance covers accidental damage you cause to third parties. Common scenarios include:
- Bicycle accidents — you hit a pedestrian or another cyclist and they are injured or their property is damaged. In a country with 23 million bicycles, this is the most common claim
- Water damage to neighbors — your washing machine leaks and damages the apartment below you. Repair costs can easily reach thousands of euros
- Broken items — you knock over an expensive vase at a friend's house, or your child breaks a window while playing
- Pet damage — your dog bites someone or damages property
- Shopping accidents — you accidentally break merchandise in a store
- Sports injuries — you injure another player during a casual sports game (outside of organized competition)
Most policies cover damages up to €1,250,000 to €2,500,000, which provides protection against even serious incidents where someone is permanently injured.
What Is NOT Covered?
Liability insurance does not cover everything. Key exclusions include:
- Intentional damage — if you deliberately break something, you are on your own
- Damage to your own property — this is what home contents insurance is for
- Professional liability — if you are a freelancer or ZZP'er, you need separate professional liability insurance (beroepsaansprakelijkheidsverzekering)
- Car-related damage — this falls under car insurance
- Damage caused while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Damage between household members — your policy typically covers your entire household as one unit, so damage between members is excluded
How Much Does It Cost?
Liability insurance is remarkably affordable:
- Single person: approximately €3-4 per month
- Family/household: approximately €4-6 per month
Most policies have a small deductible (eigen risico) of around €0-100 per claim. Some budget policies have a higher deductible of €250 in exchange for an even lower premium.
Considering that a single bicycle accident claim can run into tens of thousands of euros for medical costs, the cost-benefit ratio is exceptional.
Real-World Example
Consider this scenario: You are cycling home from work and accidentally clip a pedestrian who falls and breaks their wrist. In the Netherlands, you would be liable for:
- Hospital and treatment costs (partially covered by their health insurance, but they may claim additional expenses)
- Lost income during recovery
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Damaged clothing or belongings
A claim like this could easily cost €5,000-15,000 or more. Without liability insurance, you would pay this out of pocket. With a €4/month policy, the insurer handles everything — including legal defense if the claim is disputed.
How to Get Liability Insurance
You can arrange liability insurance through:
- Comparison websites: Independer.nl, Pricewise.nl, or Poliswijzer.nl let you compare policies side by side
- Direct from insurers: Centraal Beheer, Interpolis, OHRA, Nationale-Nederlanden, and Univé are popular providers
- Through your health insurer: many health insurance companies offer bundled packages
- Through your employer: some employers include liability insurance in their benefits package
Most policies are available entirely online and can be activated within a day. You typically need your BSN and a Dutch bank account for the direct debit.
What to Look For
When comparing policies, pay attention to:
- Coverage amount — aim for at least €1,250,000
- Deductible — €0 deductible costs slightly more but saves hassle
- Household coverage — make sure it covers everyone living at your address
- Worldwide coverage — most policies cover you globally, but verify this if you travel frequently
- Sublimits — some policies cap payouts for specific categories like babysitting or borrowed items
Should Expats Get Liability Insurance?
In short: yes. Here is why it is especially important for expats:
- You are likely cycling regularly — cycling is the primary mode of transport in Dutch cities, and accidents happen
- Apartment living — most expats rent apartments where water damage to neighbors is a real risk
- Unfamiliarity with Dutch norms — you may not yet know all the situations where you could be held liable
- No family safety net — unlike Dutch residents who may have family to help with unexpected costs, expats often lack that local support network
For less than the cost of a single coffee per month, liability insurance provides peace of mind against potentially devastating financial claims. It is one of the easiest financial decisions you will make as an expat in the Netherlands.