There are countless ways to save money on home insurance, but do not expect sky-high discounts either. The most important way to save money on home insurance is by adjusting the excess and by choosing limited cover. Still, there are other ways in which you can save money on home insurance. They are explained below. This page describes the situation in the Netherlands.
Simple ways to save money on home insurance
For many people, home insurance takes a big bite out of the budget. That is why it is only logical that you too are looking for good ways to save money on home insurance. You can save money on home insurance by, among other things, increasing the excess, but it is certainly not the only way to save money on home insurance.
Increasing the excess
A very efficient way to save money on home insurance is by increasing the excess. In the event of a claim, the insured person then has to pay more of the damage themselves and the insurer will also pay out less. Choose an excess that is financially easy to bear, but do not go any lower either. Because of the higher premium, an excess of €0 is rarely really worthwhile. In addition, there are then often exceptions for storm damage, for example.
Package discount
One advantage of home insurance is that there is almost always a package discount. With some insurers, the package discount increases as more insurance policies are added. You could consider adding other insurance policies to the package as well, such as legal expenses insurance or travel insurance. A total premium discount of 3% is then certainly not unrealistic. On the other hand, do be critical and make the comparison: sometimes it is still cheaper to go to different insurers.
Choosing the right cover
Simply put, there are two types of home insurance: extra extensive home insurance or all-risk home insurance. Although the name suggests otherwise, extra extensive home insurance is less extensive than all-risk home insurance. Above all, think about what you do or do not need. Additional cover such as glass breakage quickly leads to a much higher premium, while most Dutch people can pay for a new window without any problems. In that case insurance is not really necessary. Look at all the other types of cover in the same way and choose the option that suits you best.
Paying the annual premium in one go
Some insurers offer a discount when the insurance premium is paid annually. There are big differences between insurers here, but with some insurers the discount rises to as much as 3%. For an average home insurance policy, this amounts to a discount of around €15 per year. A nice bonus.
Choose student insurance
If you rent a room as a student, you also need insurance. There are insurers that offer insurance for student rooms. These specialised student insurance policies are generally cheaper than the traditional insurance policies. In other words, as a student it is advisable to compare carefully and to check whether the policy is sufficiently tailored to the needs of a student.
Insurance to consider as a student
Comparing home insurance
Insurers use their own formulas and these also produce different outcomes. That is why comparing home insurance policies is advisable. By comparing home insurance policies, you can save a considerable amount on home insurance. Do not only compare home insurance policies when you take out the home insurance, but also afterwards. This can be done every year, for example, when switching home insurance is possible. At the very least make the comparison when major changes occur, for example due to renovations to the home or changes in the family composition.
Negotiating with the insurer
Another way to save money on your home insurance is by negotiating with your insurer. Many insurers are willing to give a discount to loyal customers or customers who take out several insurance policies with them. You can also try to negotiate the premium if you have found cheaper insurance elsewhere. It is also possible to negotiate with several insurers at the same time, so that you can find the best deal. In any case, it is important to remember that many insurers are willing to negotiate, but that you do have to make a realistic proposal. Also make sure that you understand the conditions of the insurance properly, so that you know what you are talking about.
Overview of all home insurers
Invest in extra security
Many insurers give a discount on home contents insurance if a home is extensively secured. The risk of burglary damage, an important expense for insurers, then falls drastically. The insured person must, however, have the PKVW label (Police Secure Housing label, Politiekeurmerk Veilig Wonen) or the BORG certificate. Not all home insurers grant an equally large discount, but with some insurers the discount on home contents insurance can be as much as 20%. Some insurers also grant a discount if the home has an alarm and is connected to an alarm monitoring centre. In other words, the conditions can differ per insurer.
Step-by-step plan to get a discount for security
As a homeowner or tenant, you do not want to pay too much for your home insurance. Fortunately, there are various ways to save money on home insurance. Did you know, for example, that you can get a discount on your home insurance by installing extra security? In this step-by-step plan we will discuss the steps you need to follow to obtain a PKVW certificate and so get a discount on your home insurance.
- Request a quote for prevention advice
Via the website www.politiekeurmerk.nl it is very easy to find a PKVW company. A local adviser then checks everything that is needed to meet the PKVW requirements and issues advice.
- Taking measures
The measures are carried out on the basis of the advice from the PKVW company. The PKVW company meets strict requirements and carries out the necessary work professionally.
- Final inspection
After the work has been carried out, the PKVW company carries out a final inspection. If everything is approved, the PKVW company hands over the certificate. This certificate remains valid for ten years, counted from the date of issue (source: politiekeurmerk.nl).
- Contacting the insurer
Send a copy of the certificate to the insurer. The insurer then takes care of the rest and may grant a premium discount.
Costs of adjustments for a PKVW label
To be able to get the PKVW label, the home may need to undergo a number of adjustments. There are costs involved. How high these costs are depends on which adjustments are needed. Below are a number of general guide amounts. These are average amounts. They can always be higher depending on the work carried out, the cylinder length used and so on.
| Average amounts | |
|---|---|
| Main mortise lock | +/- €70 |
| SKG*** cylinder | +/- €50 |
| SKG*** anti-snap cylinder | +/- €170 |
| Auxiliary bolt lock | +/- €25 |
| Auxiliary cylinder lock | +/- €105 |
| Security fittings | +/- €75 |
| Locks for tilt windows | +/- €50 |
| Anti-climb-through protection | +/- €50 |
| Call-out charge | +/- €37.50 to €47.50 per hour |
More tips for saving money on home insurance
Home insurance consists of home contents insurance and buildings insurance. It is possible to save money on each of these two insurance policies. There are a number of subtle differences here. It is important to look at how you can save money on these insurance policies without making concessions on the cover you need. We have collected some ready-made tips for you that will help you save money on these important insurance policies.
Saving money on home contents insurance
One way to save money on your home contents insurance is by making a good inventory of your possessions. That way you can determine which cover you need and you avoid paying too much for your home contents insurance. You can also consider increasing the excess, which can lower the monthly premium. Another option is to take out several insurance policies with the same insurer, so that you can benefit from a package discount.
All tips for saving money on home contents insurance
Saving money on buildings insurance
To save money on your buildings insurance, it is important to choose the right cover. That way you avoid paying too much for your buildings insurance. Do make sure you are not underinsured, because that is not good either. You can also consider increasing the excess, which can lower the monthly premium. Combining several insurance policies with the same insurer can also be an interesting option here to save money on your buildings insurance.
All tips for saving money on buildings insurance
Saving money on legal expenses insurance
Legal expenses insurance can be an interesting addition to home insurance. With this insurance you are insured for legal help and advice in conflicts, for example in the case of housing problems, rental disputes or disputes with neighbours. Legal expenses insurance can therefore be valuable for homeowners and tenants. There are various ways to save money on legal expenses insurance. For example, you can choose a higher excess or more limited cover. It is also wise to compare several insurers to find the best deal.
All tips for saving money on legal expenses insurance
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Frequently asked questions about saving money on home insurance
Home insurance is an important insurance to protect yourself against unexpected events. Taking out home insurance can, however, be a considerable expense, which is why it is important to look at how you can save money on this insurance. In this FAQ about saving money on home insurance we go into this in more detail.
What are the PKVW requirements?
There are two sets of requirements, one for existing homes and one for newly built homes. After a detailed study, an expert must indicate which adjustments need to be made. In principle, it involves placing smoke detectors in the right places, providing lighting at the outside doors, limiting burglars' view and the presence of certified locks and fittings.
Do I get a discount for burglary protection with every insurer?
No. More and more insurers are phasing out this discount. A number of insurers therefore no longer offer the discount. With some insurers it is even an obligation in the case of valuable contents. Otherwise they will not insure.
When should I make a new comparison?
A new comparison is advisable in the event of major changes to the insured property, for example after a renovation or because solar panels were placed on the roof. A new comparison is also advisable when moving house, after a sharp increase in the value of the contents and when the family composition changes (for example divorce, death, birth etc.). In addition, a new comparison is recommended when the insurer changes the conditions to the disadvantage of the insured person. Make a new comparison at least every three years.
How high can I set the excess?
With most insurers the excess varies between €0 and €1,000. Within that range it is often possible to increase or lower the excess. A higher excess is not worthwhile for the average Dutch person and is therefore not offered as standard, but it is of course always possible to discuss it with the insurer. Insurers rarely make problems about tailor-made policies that are in their favour.