In the Netherlands, everyone with a car is required to take out third-party liability insurance (WA). This is the minimum insurance for a car. The driver can also choose other types of cover, such as limited casco cover (also "third party, fire and theft plus") or all-risk insurance. These are more extensive types of insurance. What insurance costs depends on the cover, the age of the driver, the age of the car, the type of car and the place where the policyholder lives. WA.nl explains more about the costs of third-party liability insurance. This page describes the situation in the Netherlands.
Costs differ by type of cover
The types of cover differ from one another. A motorist can choose between third-party liability insurance, limited casco cover (WA+) or fully comprehensive (all-risk) insurance. What the insurance pays out when there is damage differs per type of cover. With all-risk insurance, for example, damage you have caused to your own car yourself is also covered. Third-party liability insurance, on the other hand, only covers the damage caused with the car to others. Damage to your own car is therefore not covered.
Which insurance is the best choice also depends on the age of the car and the kind of car that needs to be insured. An older car can often only be insured with third-party liability or limited casco cover, whereas all-risk insurance is sensible for a new car. Another question is whether the car is still being financed. If the finance agreement is still running, all-risk insurance is the best option for the car. The kind of car also plays a part. An expensive sports car is often best insured all-risk, whereas third-party liability insurance is enough for an old car from the 1990s or early 2000s.
What the insurance costs differs per type of cover. Because one type of cover is more extensive than another, the price of the insurance differs. More extensive cover naturally costs more than insurance with minimum cover.
Age plays a role
With compulsory third-party liability insurance, the age of the policyholder plays an important role. Anyone who has just turned 18 and wants to take to the road in their first little car will probably be surprised by the costs of car insurance. Even the cheapest providers charge relatively high prices.
Young people under 24 pay a higher premium than their father and mother. This has to do with the risk of an accident. Young people are often new drivers and do not yet have much experience on the road. New drivers also sometimes press the accelerator a little too hard. That causes a higher risk of damage.
As the policyholder gets older, the costs of third-party liability insurance go down. Even being one year older can make a big difference. It then pays to switch. This is because at every age a different provider may be able to offer a cheaper policy. The older the policyholder becomes, the smaller the differences in premium. It is sensible to take another look at your policy after your birthday and calculate the premium again. That way you can save money.
Influence of place of residence on the costs of third-party liability insurance
The policyholder's place of residence can affect the costs of third-party liability insurance. In some regions the costs are higher. This is because of a greater risk of damage. In large cities, for example, the premium can be higher than in rural areas. Theft of or vandalism to your own car is not covered by third-party liability insurance; it only covers damage to others. In addition, the risk profile of the insured place of residence can also affect the level of the premium. This may be the case, for example, if accidents often happen near the place of residence. It is therefore important to report a move to your insurer and to compare third-party liability insurance policies again after moving.
Factors that determine the costs of third-party liability insurance
When you take out third-party liability insurance, you naturally want to know what it will cost. The premium for third-party liability insurance is determined by various factors, such as the characteristics of the vehicle and the personal situation of the policyholder. Below you will find an overview of the most important factors that determine the costs of third-party liability insurance.
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Age of the driver | Younger drivers often pay a higher premium than older drivers, because they run a greater risk of damage and accidents. Very old drivers also pay more than people in their thirties and forties, for the same reason. |
| No-claims years | The more no-claims years you have built up, the higher the discount on the premium. |
| Kilometres per year | If you drive few kilometres per year, you often pay a lower premium. This is because the chance of damage is smaller if you are on the road less often. |
| Characteristics of the car | The characteristics of the car, such as its engine power and its weight, affect the premium. Fast and heavy cars cause more damage. |
| Place of residence | In some regions the risk of damage is greater than in other regions. As a result, the premium can differ depending on where you live. |
| Additional insurance | In addition to third-party liability insurance, you can choose additional insurance, such as casco insurance or breakdown cover. These policies offer more cover, but are also more expensive. |
Comparing the costs of third-party liability insurance
You can easily put the costs of third-party liability insurance side by side. There are plenty of comparison sites online that show how much the premium will be. Such a calculation is quickly made. What car insurance costs per month depends not only on age, but also on the region where the car is mostly kept. Naturally, the costs of car insurance in the Randstad are higher than in a village.
How do you choose third-party liability insurance?
The best way to choose third-party liability insurance is to look at the age of the policyholder, the place where the policyholder lives, the age of the car and the condition of the car. Together, all these factors determine which third-party liability insurance is the cheapest.
Some insurers are not so strict about age. For example, there is an insurer that charges the same premium for 18-year-olds as for 24-year-olds. There are also providers where those six years of difference even amount to twice the premium. From the 24th year of life, the premium goes down.
The cover naturally also plays a role. All-risk insurance is more expensive than third-party liability insurance or third-party liability with limited casco cover. On the other hand, the policyholder can count on more extensive cover.
Take all these factors into account when choosing car insurance. Tip: give the insurer a call. They can often find suitable insurance for you, and may also give you a nice welcome discount. Then you save money straight away.
Read also: 10 tips to save money on third-party liability insurance.
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Frequently asked questions about the costs of third-party liability insurance
Third-party liability insurance is compulsory for everyone who owns a motor vehicle and wants to use it on the public road. It protects you against the financial consequences of damage you cause to others when you take part in traffic. In this FAQ we cover the most frequently asked questions about the costs of third-party liability insurance. We notice that many people still have questions about this.
What determines the price of third-party liability insurance?
The price of third-party liability insurance is determined by various factors, such as the type of vehicle, the age of the driver, the number of no-claims years, the place of residence and the number of kilometres you drive per year.
Is more expensive third-party liability insurance always better?
Not necessarily. Cheaper third-party liability insurance may offer less extensive cover than more expensive third-party liability insurance. On the other hand, more expensive third-party liability insurance may be too expensive for the little extra security it offers. It is important to look carefully at the cover and the excess before you take out a policy.
Can I save money on my third-party liability insurance?
Yes, by comparing you can save money on your third-party liability insurance. There are also other ways to save money on third-party liability insurance, for example by building up no-claims years.
Is third-party liability insurance enough?
Third-party liability insurance only covers damage you cause to others. If you also want to insure damage to your own vehicle, you can choose casco insurance. Especially for older cars aged ten years or more, third-party liability insurance alone is usually enough.
Can I take out third-party liability insurance for a sports car?
Yes, you can also take out third-party liability insurance for a sports car. The premium will generally be higher, though. This is because the figures show that sports cars are involved in accidents more often and cause more damage.