insurance in the Netherlands for refugees. If you are going to live in the Netherlands or has just arrived, you must know that there are some insurances which are compulsory such as health insurance (zorgverzekering) and motor vehicle insurance (WA-verzekering). And here we will explain how that works.
First of all, insurances are means to protect you from financial loss. Through a contract, represented by a policy, an individual and an insurance company agree on financial protection or reimbursement against losses for a price. Both individuals and companies can be insured.
insurance in the Netherlands for refugees
In the Netherlands everyone is obliged to take out a basic health insurance to cover the costs of consulting a doctor, hospital and medications, among other health services.
You need to enrol with a Dutch health insurer within four months of your arrival in the Netherlands. For that, you need to be registered in your municipality and have a BSN number. If you took more than 2 months, for example, after your registration to sign a contract with a provider, that is not a problem. You were already covered during the previous months, as your insurance starts on the day you register yourself at the municipality. That means that the price you pay refers to a year contract, beginning on your municipality registration day.
It is important to mention that people under 18 don’t have to pay for their insurances. That means that babies (within four months after the birth), children and teenagers up to eighteen years-old are insured without incurring any cost.
How do I choose it?
You can freely choose among the providers available in the market. Price is, of course, important, but you have to make sure your insurance includes the services you need. You can also pay for a package that includes extra services. To know more about extra insurances, you can have a look here.
All basic packages must cover: appointments with a general practitioner (huisarts) and medical specialists, hospital treatment, dentist for under 18, maternity care, some limited therapies such as physiotherapy, medical devices and medicines. The basic package costs around 110 euros per month.
Independently of the provider you choose, your insurance has an own risk clause. This means that you have to pay for some of the services you use up to a maximum of 385 euros per year. Once you have reached that amount, you won’t be charged any extra.
If you are not happy with your insurance provider, you can change it once a year. The change will come into place from the 1st of January. You can compare insurers here. For more information about special situations related to health insurances, you can visit the government website.
Motor Vehicle Insurance
All vehicle owners are obliged to have a third party insurance (WA-verzekering). This means that when you register a vehicle in your name in the Netherlands you must take out a third party insurance to cover the costs related to accidents involving third parties. The WA-verzekering doesn’t cover costs related to damages of your own vehicle, yourself or your possessions. For that you need to add extras to your insurance.
The insurance company chosen has to be able to make registrations in the RDW, the Dutch vehicle authority. At the RDW website you can also find information about other obligations related to owning a vehicle in the Netherlands.
Not having an insurance in these two situations is not an option. You can be fined and end up paying much more. Remember: Better safe, than sorry!
Written by: Denise Moura