Expats – Key Terms

7 min read

Dutch Insurance Terms Explained: Deductible, Cover, Exclusions & Notice Period

Many expats and newcomers to the Netherlands find insurance paperwork confusing. Terms like deductible (eigen risico), exclusion, assurantiebelasting (insurance tax) and actual cash value directly affect what you get paid in a claim. Without understanding these concepts, you risk being underinsured, paying for coverage you don’t need, or facing nasty surprises when you file a claim. This article breaks down the most important Dutch insurance terms in plain English, with concrete examples from home contents, liability, car and building insurance. Whether you’re renting your first apartment, have just bought a Dutch car, or are reviewing your current policies, you’ll finish this glossary ready to read your policy document like a pro.

Verified by a Wft-certified advisorLast reviewed for accuracy: 2026-06-14

Expats and young consumers who find policy terms difficult. · Updated: 2026-06-14

Why insurance terms can cost you money

Insurance jargon isn’t just legalese; it determines how much you pay and what you get back. Imagine you have home contents insurance with a €250 deductible and your €800 laptop is stolen. You might expect to receive €800, but the insurer only pays €550 because your deductible reduces the payout. Or take the term ‘exclusion’: many policies don’t cover damage from gradual leaks or pests. If your floor is ruined because the sealant had been failing for months, the insurer may reject the claim. By understanding these terms, you can avoid paying for unnecessary cover and prevent being left empty-handed after a loss.

Key Dutch insurance terms at a glance

Overview of common Dutch insurance terms
Term	Meaning	Real-world example
Deductible (eigen risico)	The fixed amount you must pay per claim before the insurer covers the rest. Usually €0 to €500.	If your home contents claim is €1,000 and your deductible is €250, you receive €750.
Cover (dekking)	The risks or events your insurance protects you against, such as fire, theft or storm.	Buildings insurance covers fire damage to your home; water damage from rain is often included but check exclusions.
Exclusion (uitsluiting)	Situations or causes of damage that are explicitly not covered, like wear and tear, gradual leaks or intentional damage.	Your contents insurance won’t cover fire damage caused by a faulty appliance you failed to repair (inherent defect).
Premium (premie)	The periodic payment (monthly or annually) you make to the insurer for your cover.	You pay €28 per month for third-party car insurance; this is before adding insurance tax.
Insurance tax (assurantiebelasting)	A mandatory 21% tax on almost all damage insurance policies, added to your net premium.	On a net premium of €50 per month, you pay €10.50 in tax, so your total cost is €60.50.
Policy schedule (polisblad)	The official document outlining your insurance details: sum insured, cover, deductible, exclusions and contract length.	Your car insurance policy schedule shows a €150 deductible for own-damage (cascoschade) claims.
Notice period (opzegtermijn)	The time before the end of the contract term within which you must cancel to avoid automatic renewal.	Your contents policy runs until 1 January and has a one-month notice period; you must cancel before 1 December.
Actual cash value (dagwaarde)	The current market value of a damaged or stolen item, taking depreciation into account.	Your 8-year-old bicycle that cost €1,000 new now has a cash value of €150, which is what you’d get for theft.
New-for-old value (nieuwwaarde)	The cost to buy an identical new replacement, without depreciation.	If you have new-for-old cover on your contents insurance, a burnt sofa is replaced with a new model of the same type.
Reinstatement value (herbouwwaarde)	The amount needed to completely rebuild your home after total destruction; this is the basis for buildings insurance.	If your buildings insurance covers €300,000 but your home would cost €400,000 to rebuild, you are underinsured.
Replacement value (vervangingswaarde)	Synonymous with reinstatement value, or the value of replacing an object with a comparable one; check your policy definition.	For solar panels, replacement value might cover installing an equivalent system.
No-claim discount (bonus-malus)	The discount ladder on car insurance; the more claim-free years you have, the higher your discount and lower premium.	With 10 claim-free years you get 80% off the base premium; one claim can drop you five steps on the ladder.

How these terms play out in your damage insurance

Each type of non-life insurance applies these terms differently. Personal liability insurance (AVP) typically has no deductible for smaller claims, but a safe maximum coverage amount of e.g. €2.5 million per event. Car insurance uses actual cash value and new-for-old when your car is written off: an older car gets cash value, a newer one may get new-for-old. And your buildings insurance depends on reinstatement value to set the right sum insured. Below is a breakdown per policy type.

Home contents: deductible often €0 to €250; verify whether your belongings are insured on a new-for-old or cash-value basis; typical exclusions include damage by your own pets or gradual water leaks. Use the contents valuation checklist to avoid underinsurance.
Buildings (opstal): your premium is based on reinstatement value; if you underestimate this, you risk underinsurance. Insurance tax applies here too.
Car insurance: WA (third-party), WA+ and All-Risk each have their own exclusions. The no-claim discount (bonus-malus) directly impacts your premium; a single claim can raise your costs for years. Learn when to downgrade your car cover as your vehicle ages.
Liability (AVP): usually no deductible, but exclusions include intentional damage or damage during professional activities. Read more about AVP for expats.
Travel insurance: deductibles often apply to baggage claims; medical cover abroad depends on whether you have worldwide coverage.

Checklist: terms to master before switching insurance

Check your policy schedule

Note down your current premium, deductible, sum insured and main exclusions so you know exactly what you have.

Compare cover, not just price

A cheaper policy may come with a higher deductible or less cover. Always read the fine print and apply the terms from this glossary.

Weigh actual cash value against new-for-old

For an older car or older belongings, new-for-old cover may be overkill; consider downgrading all-risk cover to save on premiums.

Check your current policy’s notice period

Most Dutch damage insurance policies can be cancelled with one month’s notice, but confirm this to avoid being stuck for another year.

Use an independent insurance check

A free damage insurance check can reveal overlaps or gaps in your policies and show where you can save.

Common pitfalls with insurance terms

Even when you know the terms, misinterpretations can cost you. Here are the most common errors we see in practice.

Confusing deductible and co-payment: a deductible is a fixed sum per claim; a co-payment (eigen bijdrage) is a percentage of the costs you always pay, like for certain dental plans.
Underestimating actual cash value: without new-for-old cover, a 5-year-old laptop might only fetch a few euros.
Forgetting insurance tax: many comparison sites show premiums excluding 21% tax, so your monthly costs end up higher than expected.
Overlooking exclusions like ‘inherent defect’ or ‘wear and tear’, which can leave older appliances uncovered.
Missing the cancellation window: some policies require two months’ notice, meaning an accidental renewal can lock you in for another year.
Paying monthly? Dutch insurers typically charge a 5-10% instalment surcharge. See if annual billing saves you money.

Frequently asked questions

What does deductible (eigen risico) mean?

The deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket per claim before your insurer pays the rest. It is a fixed amount, e.g. €250. Some insurance types like personal liability often have no deductible. By choosing a higher voluntary deductible, you can lower your monthly premium.

What’s the difference between actual cash value and new-for-old value?

Actual cash value (dagwaarde) is the current market value, accounting for depreciation. New-for-old value (nieuwwaarde) is the cost to buy a brand-new replacement. In contents insurance, you can often select new-for-old cover, which pays the full replacement cost; otherwise you receive the depreciated cash value. Always check your policy details.

What is an exclusion (uitsluiting)?

An exclusion is a damage cause or situation that your policy does not cover, such as intentional damage, gradual wear and tear, or some natural disasters. Exclusions are listed in your policy schedule and terms and conditions.

Where can I find my notice period (opzegtermijn)?

The notice period is shown on your policy schedule or in the terms and conditions. Typically it is one month before the contract’s end date. For a policy ending 1 January, you must cancel in writing by 30 November. Some insurers accept cancellation by email as well.

What is insurance tax (assurantiebelasting)?

Assurantiebelasting is a 21% tax levied by the Dutch government on almost all non-life insurance premiums. It is automatically added to your premium by the insurer. You cannot avoid this tax, but being aware of it helps you compare premiums correctly.

Independent insurance advisor

Wft Certified

Our articles are reviewed by an independent, Wft-certified insurance advisor (non-life personal & commercial) with years of experience in the Dutch market. This review ensures the content reflects current regulations and that the advice is strictly commission-free and in the consumer's best interest.

Last reviewed for accuracy: 2026-06-14

Keep reading

Expats: damage insurance