Third-party liability insurance for motor vehicles
You must have third-party liability insurance (WAM- or WA-verzekering) if you have a (company) vehicle in the Netherlands. This insurance will cover any damages that you may cause to others with your vehicle.
Additionally, you can take out other vehicle insurances such as passenger insurance.
Third-party liability insurance is mandatory
Third-party liability insurance is mandatory for any road-going vehicle, such as:
- cars, vans, trucks, touring cars
- motorbikes, scooters, (light) mopeds, or speed-pedelecs
Trailers are covered under the third-party insurance for the vehicle towing the trailer. You do not need to take out a separate liability insurance.
RDW checks insurance obligation
The Netherlands Vehicle Authority (RDW) regularly checks if your vehicle is insured. If it is not, you may be fined. If you do not use the vehicle for a longer period, you can temporarily put vehicle obligations on hold by suspending the registration of the vehicle.
When to take out vehicle insurance?
You must take out third-party liability insurance as soon as the vehicle is registered in your name or your company's name. You can choose which insurance company you take out third-party insurance with. The insurance company must be able to register in the RDW's insurance register (in Dutch). In general, only Dutch insurance companies can do so.
What does third-party liability insurance cover?
Third-party insurance compensates for damage you cause to others with your car or other motor vehicle. For example, costs for medical treatment or vehicle repairs. Third-party insurance does not cover costs for damage to your own vehicle. For this you can take out extra insurance with your third-party liability insurance, such as a limited cover (WA beperkt casco) or an comprehensive cover (‘all risk’, WA volledig casco).