Why your premium rises after moving house, even with the same coverage

Why your insurance can become more expensive after moving

When you move, more changes than just your address. Insurers base their premiums on an estimate of the likelihood that you will make a claim. That likelihood strongly depends on the environment you live in and the characteristics of your home. If you move to a neighbourhood with higher burglary rates, an older house that is more vulnerable to storms, or a street where car break-ins are common, your risk profile increases. Even if you keep exactly the same coverage—for example, contents insurance with the same insured sum—the premium can turn out higher, simply because the expected claim amount is greater. In this article, we break down step by step which factors influence your premium, so you understand why you might pay more and what you can do about it.

• Postcode: the statistical risk of burglary, storm, fire, and water damage in your region.
• House type and build year: a detached house with a thatched roof has a different risk profile than a modern apartment.
• Parking situation: a car parked on the street runs a higher risk of damage and theft than one in a locked garage.
• Contents value and rebuilding costs: a larger home generally houses more belongings and costs more to rebuild.
• Water and storm susceptibility: living in a flood-prone or coastal area can drive up premiums.

How your postcode and neighbourhood risk affect your premium

Your postcode is often the first risk indicator for many insurance types. Insurers continuously analyse data on burglary frequency, water damage regions, and storm vulnerability. If you live in a postcode area known as 'high risk', that directly translates into a higher premium for your contents and buildings insurance. A similar mechanism applies to your car insurance: in city centres, car theft risk is often greater, and in some suburbs the chance of collisions or vandalism is higher. When calculating the premium, the insurer looks at the specific digit combination of your postcode, not just the municipality.

For contents and buildings insurance, insurers assess the so-called risk area. This includes not only crime statistics but also the chance of water damage from leaks or flooding. In some postcodes with a history of storm damage, premiums are structurally higher, regardless of build quality. It is therefore worthwhile to immediately carry out a commission-free contents insurance comparison after moving, because another insurer may assess your risk more favourably. Want to know exactly what your policy covers in case of burglary? Then read our article on theft without forced entry.

• Burglary probability: the higher the number of burglaries in your postcode, the more you pay for contents cover.
• Storm and water damage: homes in areas with frequent storms or flood risks face higher buildings premiums.
• Car theft and vandalism: for WA+ and all-risk policies, postcode weighs heavily in the premium.
• Accessibility for emergency services: in remote postcodes, fire insurance premiums may be slightly higher.

House type, build year and the impact on your contents and buildings premium

In addition to location, the type of house plays a decisive role. A corner house has more exterior walls and therefore a higher risk of storm and burglary damage than a terraced house. A detached house has no neighbouring walls as a buffer, which increases risk. The build year is also important: older homes often have outdated electrical installations and less sturdy roof constructions, increasing the chance of fire and storm damage. When taking out buildings insurance, insurers usually ask for the build year and type of roofing. For contents, factors such as the number of rooms and total floor area matter, as these determine the amount of belongings you could lose.

Suppose you move from a modern apartment with a central sprinkler system to a detached 1930s house with a thatched roof. Your buildings premium could rise substantially, simply because the risk of fire and storm damage is higher. Your contents premium may also increase because you will likely fill more rooms. It is important not to fall into the trap of underinsurance during such a change. Therefore, also check your commission-free buildings insurance comparison to ensure your rebuilding value is correct and the premium is competitive. Read also how you can prevent underinsurance when adjusting your policy.

*Please note: the exact premium depends on the insurer, your specific structural condition, and any prevention measures. Always consult your policy terms.

Parking and theft: what moving does to your car insurance

Your car insurance is perhaps the most visible example of premium change after a move. If you previously lived in a quiet suburb with your own driveway, and now live in the centre of a large city with only street parking, your WA+ or all-risk premium will almost certainly shoot up. The risk of theft, break-in, and hit-and-run parking damage increases considerably. Even third-party liability (WA) cover can become more expensive, because heavier traffic brings a higher accident risk. Insurers use detailed data per postcode on car thefts and claims, and adjust premiums accordingly.

Many insurers require a premium revision when you move to a different postcode area. Sometimes the increase is a few euros per month, but in extreme cases it can differ by tens of euros. Therefore, always check whether your current policy still fits your new situation. A commission-free car insurance comparison can show that another insurer charges a lower premium for your new postcode. It is also wise to check whether your claim-free years have been correctly transferred and whether you could save by choosing a higher deductible.

Do you use a bike frequently? In a new neighbourhood with a higher theft risk, it is smart to check your contents cover away from home. Read more about this in our article on bike theft and non-life insurance in the Netherlands, as not every policy fully covers bicycle theft.

What you can do now: step-by-step policy check

After these steps, you will have a clear picture of where you stand. Is your premium unnecessarily high? Then a no-obligation, commission-free check via PolisMoment can offer a solution. One independent advisor will look at the content without you having to switch straight away.

Common mistakes with insurance after moving

In the chaos of a move, insurances often take a back seat. Yet it is exactly during this period that annoying mistakes can be made which cost money later. Below we list the main pitfalls, so you can avoid them.

• Not reporting or reporting the move too late: If you do not give your insurer timely notice of your new address, cover may lapse if damage occurs that is linked to your old policy.
• Assuming the premium stays the same: As explained, insurers reassess the risk; do not wait for a surprise on your policy schedule.
• Not adjusting the insured sum: Your new home may represent a different value; underinsurance is a common consequence.
• Postponing comparison: Directly after moving, you have a clear overview; do not delay comparing until the renewal date.
• Forgetting about discounts or package deals: Sometimes you are entitled to extra discount if you bundle multiple policies with the same insurer, or vice versa — check whether package discount vs single policies is more advantageous.

When an independent check is especially useful

A move often brings several changes at once: new home, different living situation, perhaps a different car or partner. All these factors affect your non-life insurance, and it is difficult to oversee the full picture yourself. An independent advisor can review your entire insurance package in detail and check whether everything still fits together. That goes beyond just comparing premiums: it includes coverage conditions, exclusions, and possible overlaps.

Through PolisMoment, you can request a free, no-obligation check. Read here how the free non-life insurance check works so you know exactly what to expect. The platform connects you with one advisory firm that works commission-free — meaning there is no sales pressure and you can calmly review the results. You have no commitments and no means no.