How to adjust your Dutch non-life insurance after the death of your partner

Quick answer

After your partner's passing, you generally do not need to change all insurance policies at once. Most non-life policies continue to provide temporary cover under the existing terms, but it is wise to review them in due course. Policies solely in the deceased's name (e.g. car insurance with the partner as policyholder) must be transferred to the surviving partner or terminated. Joint policies, such as family liability insurance or joint contents insurance, usually remain active but need to be updated in your name. Start by creating an overview of all active policies and contact insurers calmly—hasty decisions are rarely needed.

First overview, then adjust

You do not need to contact insurers on the day of the death. However, within a few weeks, list all active non-life insurance policies. This prevents a policy from being cancelled unexpectedly or a coverage gap from occurring. Start with a simple list: which policies did you have jointly, and which were solely in your partner's name? Think of the buildings insurance if you own your home, contents insurance for household goods, family liability insurance, and any insurance for vehicles, travel, or legal expenses.

This approach helps you stay organised. Most insurers have dedicated bereavement teams who can guide you calmly. After having a full overview, consider using how the free non-life insurance check works to ensure no small policy is overlooked. Also think about less obvious covers like second home insurance if you owned a holiday home together.

Policies in your partner’s name

If a policy was registered only in your deceased partner's name, the insurer generally cannot maintain it under that name. Depending on the type of cover and the insurer, you as next of kin can often take over the policy in your own name under the same conditions. For example, a buildings insurance for your joint home that was in your partner’s name can usually be transferred because the risk object—the house—remains the same. For contents insurance, the same applies. The premium may change if your risk profile (age, occupation) differs.

• Buildings insurance: tied to the property; can typically be transferred smoothly to the new owner or heir.
• Contents insurance: continues to cover your household belongings, but the policy must be put in your name.
• Travel insurance: an annual travel policy in your partner’s name usually ends; you as the survivor can take out a new one.
• Legal expenses insurance: family modules may continue if you are recorded as the policyholder; otherwise the cover lapses.

Family cover and liability insurance (AVP)

Personal liability insurance (AVP) is one of the most common non-life insurances in the Netherlands and typically covers the entire household living at the same address. After the death of your partner, the policy continues to cover you and any children living at home, but it must be updated to reflect you as the policyholder. The insured amount (maximum payout per event) does not change, and the premium may remain the same. The insurer may ask you to update the household composition.

If you also have a separate liability policy in your own name (e.g. because you took one out earlier), you could be doubly insured. In that case, it is wise to see if one policy can be cancelled. You might also want to compare your cover with other providers, especially if you consider switching to a commission-free policy. For more on this, see our guide on comparing personal liability insurance commission-free.

The car and the licence plate

If you had a car registered in your partner's name, sorting out the car insurance is a priority. A vehicle registered to a deceased person cannot legally be driven on public roads. The mandatory WA (third-party) insurance must be in the name of a living policyholder and registered keeper. You can have the vehicle transferred into your name or an heir's name via the Dutch road authority (RDW). Then you either take over the existing policy or arrange new cover.

• Transferring ownership: this is often possible online via the RDW with a death certificate and the survivor's valid ID.
• Transferring insurance: many insurers allow surviving partners to transfer the policy with the same no-claims bonus and terms.
• Premium and no-claims: check whether accumulated claim-free years are carried over and whether the premium changes due to your age or postcode.
• Second car: if you already have your own car and insurance, you might be able to insure the second vehicle with a multi-car discount.

If the car is older or has a low market value, it can also be a good moment to reconsider the level of cover. In our guide on comparing car insurance commission-free, you can learn how to choose the right cover without overpaying. And don't forget that if there is storm or other damage, the deductible for storm damage may be higher than you think—a good moment to check that clause.

Get a free check done calmly

Adjusting non-life insurance after a death often raises many questions. You are in an emotional period where it is not always easy to see whether everything is properly arranged. That is why an independent insurance check can help, without you having to figure everything out on your own. PolisMoment connects you with one expert, independent, commission-free insurance office. They review your full package: from buildings and contents to liability, car, legal expenses, and travel insurance.

Such a check can bring peace of mind, especially after a loss. You do not need to call dozens of insurers or compare policy conditions yourself. The independent office calmly maps out which policies need adjusting and which can stay as they are. Any overlapping covers will also surface—similar to the administrative process described in our guide on splitting insurance after a divorce, which shares many practical steps with your current situation.

When advice is worthwhile

Although you can handle many things yourself, there are moments when advice from an independent expert is wise. For example, if your financial situation is complex, if a private business were also covered under personal insurances, or if you are unsure about the fiscal or legal consequences of transferring policies. Moreover, when you feel overwhelmed, a calm, substantive check can help because a death creates a unique situation that generic online advice cannot fully capture.

• You own multiple valuable assets like a second home, boat, or classic car that need separate insurance.
• Your partner had a business from which some non-life policies continued and now need to be wound down.
• You have doubts about policy terms, such as whether a storm damage deductible applies in your situation.
• You want to avoid being uninsured or paying double after adjusting policies.

In all these cases, the free non-life insurance check from PolisMoment offers a solution. Without obligation and without sales pressure, you get clarity on what matters. That way, you can sort out your insurance administration step by step.