Long-term travel from the Netherlands: check your personal non-life insurance

If you leave your car in the Netherlands unused for months, you can typically formally 'suspend' (schorsen) the vehicle with the RDW. This stops your road tax obligations in most cases. Once suspended and parked on private property, you can typically pause your car insurance. When you return, use our guide to car insurance without commission to find a deal. However, if the car is parked on a public street, it must legally remain insured, and you cannot suspend it in those cases.

Typically yes, but you must notify your insurer. Many contents insurers restrict coverage for theft and vandalism if you sublet (onderverhuren) the property to third parties. Often, theft is only covered if there are clear signs of forced entry from the outside.

This is one of the risks for sabbatical travelers. Most Dutch contents and buildings insurers include a vacancy exclusion clause: if your home is unoccupied for more than 30 to 60 consecutive days, coverage for theft, vandalism, and sometimes water damage may be suspended. Fire damage typically remains covered. Always notify your insurer well in advance of an extended absence. Comparing buildings insurance without commission and contents insurance without commission can help you find suitable vacancy terms. Also prevent becoming underinsured due to changed circumstances. Insurers may offer a temporary vacancy rider to maintain coverage.

Yes, in many cases. Most globetrotter policies are designed for long-term travelers who periodically return home. A brief visit (typically 1 to 2 weeks for a family event) does not usually invalidate the policy; the trip is then treated as a single continuous journey with temporary home visits. However, always verify the maximum total trip duration stated in your policy, which typically counts from your original departure date. Returning home temporarily does not usually reset this clock.