Car Insurance

Third-party insurance (WA) or higher is required for all motor vehicles in the Netherlands. This will cover any damages that you may cause to others with your vehicle.

Limited and comprehensive insurance policies are also available, so discuss the possibilities with an insurance agent.

Once you obtain insurance, you will receive a green card (known as the International Motor Insurance Card), which you must keep with you in your vehicle at all time. You can consult comparison sites to find the best insurance policy for your needs.

Dutch car insurance is unusual because it covers family and friends using the car without their names being added to the policy, which is useful if you want to share your car with other family members or friends.

Automobile Association

It is wise to become a member of an automobile association, such as the Netherlands Automobile Association (ANWB), for which you pay an annual fee. The ANWB offers the following services:

• Road Service Membership within the Netherlands, except where you live.
• Home Road Service where you live.
• Replacement Car Service
• International Assistance
• Travel Insurance
• Car Testing Service (technische keuring) if you are buying or selling a car.
• Information on camping and touring, road conditions and road maps, hotel and restaurant information, etc.

In case of an accident

If you have an accident, Dutch insurance law requires that you and the other party agree on what happened before you leave the scene. If you cannot reach an agreement, the police will facilitate mediation until an agreement is reached.

Do not leave the scene of the accident until you and the other person have agreed on what happened and signed the accident form. You must pass this form on to your insurance company.

Since proof is often needed as supporting materials, it is probably a good idea to invest in a dashcam for your car.