Home insurance

Home insurance in the Netherlands protects your house (building insurance) and your belongings (contents insurance) against damage.   

Damage to your home 

With home insurance, you insure your home. Building insurance, also known as homeowner's insurance, is for the house itself. Contents insurance covers items in and around the house, such as furniture, appliances and clothes.  

Building insurance 

Building insurance covers damage caused by fire, storm or lightning, for example. The insurer will repair the damage or reimburse the costs. This insurance is not required by law. However, a bank can make insurance compulsory.  

Contents insurance 

Contents insurance is for your belongings in and around your home, such as furniture, appliances and clothes. This insurance covers damage caused by fire, theft or leaks, for example. This insurance is for homeowners and tenants. 

Insured amount 

When you take out contents insurance, you fill in a short questionnaire about your belongings (home contents value calculator). Usually, the outcome of the home contents value calculator is valid for five years. After that, you have to fill in the questionnaire again. This avoids underinsurance (you have not taken out enough insurance and so you will not get everything back) and overinsurance (you have taken out too much insurance and so you pay too much in the way of a premium). 

Reimbursement 

The insurer will reimburse the new-for-old value (price for a new item) or the current value (what it is worth now) of your belongings. This depends on the age of the product. A new cabinet is often reimbursed for its new-for-old value. An older table can be reimbursed for its current value. You will then get less money.  

Choosing cover 

Tip: take out building and contents insurance with the same insurer. When you take out home insurance in the Netherlands, you can choose from extra comprehensive or fully comprehensive (also called all-risk). All-risk also covers damage you cause yourself. Choose what suits your situation and budget. Always read the terms and conditions.   

Additional insurance  

You can make additions to a home insurance policy in the Netherlands. For example, you can add glass insurance (for windows, this is sometimes included as standard), valuables insurance (for expensive items) and personal possessions insurance (for items you bring with you when you leave your home, such as a laptop).