Buildings insurance for your new Dutch home: when does it start?

Have the buildings insurance start on the day damage to the building becomes your risk. Usually that is the transfer at the notaris. If you get the keys earlier, your purchase agreement may put the risk on you from that day, so check there which date applies.

In an apartment the buildings insurance may run through the owners association (VvE). As soon as the date is fixed, get your mortgage conditions out: your lender usually sets requirements for the insurance. Have the insurer confirm the start date and pass on any change to the date as well.

Buildings and contents are different things

Buildings insurance covers the structure and its fixed parts, such as the roof, the pipework and the sanitary ware. Contents insurance covers your loose possessions, such as furniture and electronics.

The exact cover, the exclusions and the excess differ per policy. Check outbuildings and solar panels too, if they come with the house.

Read the start date in your own conditions

Match the policy to the transfer and to what was agreed about risk and use. Arrange the application earlier, so that questions about the year of construction, the roof or known defects are answered in time.

Buildings insurance is not made compulsory for every owner by a general law. A mortgage can make it compulsory. So work from your own mortgage conditions.

In an apartment, ask for the VvE policy

Check which insurance covers the building and whether the insured value has been brought up to date. Where to find those documents is in the VvE checklist.

A luxury kitchen you fitted yourself, or another improvement, can fall under owner’s interest (eigenaarsbelang): the improvements you made to your own apartment. Ask whether those are covered by the joint policy or need additional cover.

Report a renovation or a period of vacancy

Tell your insurer before the work starts what you are going to demolish or renovate, and whether the house will stand empty. Different conditions can apply to that. Ask which cover runs during that period.

Do not move your contents insurance without checking it either. Pass on the new address and the characteristics of the house. The two policies can have different start dates.

What to do now

• look up in your mortgage conditions from which moment the house has to be insured
• take out the insurance before that date, not on the day itself
• in an apartment: ask for the VvE policy and arrange your own contents cover