How to choose an insurance agency in Amsterdam
Only one policy is required by law here: basic health insurance, known as the basisverzekering. Everyone living in the Netherlands, adults and children alike, must take it out shortly after arriving, and by law every insurer has to offer the same basic coverage regardless of which one you pick.
Everything else on this page's listings is optional but common — liability cover (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering), home contents (inboedelverzekering), car insurance (autoverzekering), legal assistance (rechtsbijstandverzekering), travel insurance (reisverzekering), life insurance and business cover. Some Amsterdam agencies work across all of these, while others specialize, for example in mortgage advice or a single niche like professional or business policies, so it's worth matching the agency's focus to what you actually need; our guide to insurance agencies in Amsterdam goes into the categories in more depth.
Before committing, ask whether the agency is independent and compares multiple insurers or represents just one, and ask directly how they are paid for the advice. If you're insuring a car bought through one of the city's Amsterdam car dealers, or arranging cover for an upcoming trip booked through an Amsterdam travel agency, it's worth asking the same agency whether they handle that policy too, since bundling can simplify renewals. We list the agencies in this directory; we don't vet, rank or endorse them, so comparing a few before you commit is worth the time.
Questions people ask
Is health insurance mandatory once I move to Amsterdam?
Yes. Basic health insurance (basisverzekering) is required by law for everyone living in the Netherlands, including children, and must be arranged shortly after you register in the city.
What is the eigen risico, and how much is it?
The eigen risico is a mandatory deductible you pay toward your own healthcare costs before your basic insurance covers the rest, set at €385 for 2026. Some insurers let you voluntarily raise this deductible in exchange for a lower monthly premium; an Amsterdam agency can walk through whether that trade-off suits your situation.
Do I need liability insurance in the Netherlands?
Liability insurance (aansprakelijkheidsverzekering) is not legally required, unlike basic health cover, but it is a normal and widely held policy among households in the Netherlands. It covers accidental damage you cause to other people or their property, and an agency listed here can explain typical terms and what it does and doesn't include.
What other types of insurance do Amsterdam agencies typically arrange?
Beyond mandatory health cover, agencies in this directory commonly handle home contents insurance, car insurance, legal assistance insurance, travel insurance, life insurance, business insurance and pet insurance. Which of these you need depends on your situation, so ask an agency to walk through what applies to you rather than assuming one package covers everything.
What's the difference between an independent advisor and an insurer's own agent?
An independent advisor compares policies across multiple insurers and can recommend whichever fits your needs best. An agent tied to a single insurer only offers that company's products, so ask which type you're speaking to before comparing quotes.
Can basic health insurance prices vary between providers?
By law, every insurer must offer the same basic coverage, so the core benefits don't change from one provider to the next. Premiums still vary somewhat between insurers and plans, so it's worth asking an agency to compare a few before you sign up.