Insurance in the Netherlands

Insurance in The Netherlands

Once again, insurance is not a difficult thing to organize but it can be costly if you do not get it right. Some insurances are obligatory and are required by law, (just like in your home countries) and others are optional.

And you should carefully investigate and fully understand the insurance environment in the Netherlands for expatriates and make sure that you choose the right insurance and level of cover which is appropriate to your individual circumstances.

By law, you must have medical insurance in the Netherlands and this can be arranged through a private company or through your employer. If you are working in a self employed capacity, you might need a specific type of medical insurance so make sure you declare this if this is the case.
As with most countries, Life Insurance is available, but this is not required by law.

Even though you can cycle comfortably in the Netherlands, many of you many need to drive, and if so, you will need at a minimum, third party insurance for your motor car.

Whether you are a tenant or homeowner, you might want to consider belongings insurance. You should take out contents insurance which covers the contents of your house and many insurances may even cover your mobile phone, but you may need to check with your insurer to see if this is the case. As a homeowner in the Netherlands, you will need to take out buildings insurance just as you would in your own country, just in case the house suffers fire, flood damage etc...

With so many insurances to consider there can be a lot to organize and, to help you with this, we have prepared a directory of insurance providers in the Netherlands with useful descriptions of their services and you can find it here.

Healthcare insurance in the Netherlands

If you come to live and work in the Netherlands, it is compulsory for you to take out healthcare insurance in the Netherlands as soon as you start paying tax here as well. 
Some employers assist in chosing the  healthcare insuarance and have a collective scheme, however it is your responsibility as an individual to take care of  healthcare insurance yourself.

The following problems may occur when taking out insurancein the Netherlands :

 

  • Once you have arrived in the Netherlands, it can sometimes take a long time before you are allocated a Citizen Service Number (Burgerservicenummer, or BSN). Most insurers do not accept insured without a BSN number, which is why it is important for you to contact us;
  • A visa application can also take longer than expected. Legal proceedings then have to be commenced and these can drag on for months. Without a visa you cannot, in principle, take out healthcare insurance.


Just imagine being uninsured if you are involved in an accident or become ill and have to pay the medical and/or hospital expenses out of your own pocket. This is naturally a situation that no one wants to be in and it can lead to considerable financial loss. An operation costs thousands of Euros a day, so that follow-up treatment will cost many times this amount.

Automobile insurance in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has an outstanding public transport system. And yet many professionals prefer an automobile, which then naturally has to be well insured. "Well insured" does not just mean excellent cover, but also thinking along with you as the insured. If your car is damaged or breaks down for example, make sure that alternative transport is offered to you so that can still turn up for work on time!

Liability insurance in the Netherlands

Personal liability in the Netherlands is still a frequently underestimated insurance. Cost is not an obstacle, since you are fully insured for around € 3.00 a month. The policy provides cover when you accidentally cause damage to other people's property, when you sit on your colleague's glasses for example, or run your shopping trolley into someone else's automobile in the supermarket car park!

Household contents

Once you have found the right house, you naturally want to furnish it to your own taste. At the same time, bad luck can happen to anyone. Theft, for example, is still a problem in the Netherlands unfortunately - certainly in the cities. But a household contents policy assures you of compensation for the loss sustained. Fire and water damage also fall under our extended cover and what is more, all your possessions are insured for replacement value!

Source of information Kendall Mason B.V.

For an expat moving to the Netherlands, getting the right direction is very important. It's important that one knows which steps and direction to take. Linda is an exceptionally talent counselor, her advice has helped me land a job within a week of coming to the Netherlands. I am grateful for her mentoring and look forward to a great working relationship in the future.

Dr. Hrishiraj S | Clinical Research & Affairs Manager

Together Abroad provided expert advice on personal branding including developing a top-notch, market-aware CV, highly tailored job applications, and approach strategies with potential employers in the Netherlands. Furthermore, I found them be highly knowledgeable in key related fields such as recruitment strategy, immigration law, contracts, labor agreements, and (un)employment benefits. I would recommend Together Abroad to anyone who needs professional help with transitioning to a new career.

A. Aboufirass | Structural Engeer

Linda is a big mind. She thinks about things that the rest normally overlook. The insight she has about the dutch job market can only be achieved through years of experience and persistence.

Her business savvy is complemented by her mastery of understanding the client's needs and requirements. For my career I could say, she was the “Mary Poppins”, who guided me through thick and thin and helped me to land a career in the Netherlands

S. Bhattacharjee | FP&A Manager

If you are going to enlist the services of a "Career Coach" look no further. The only person you want in your corner is Linda van Orsouw. As an expat, you absolutely want to work with a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional who knows their way around the Dutch career/employment/job market. Linda assisted me in writing and positioning my CV, helped me organize and prioritize my list of opportunities, coached me through mock interviews and was there when I got offered a senior position only 2 months later. When asked I will only refer to Linda and "Togetherabroad".

Mr. C. Joubert
Lead Workplace Strategy Consultant 

 

New item