Which Insurance do I need for a home I own?

Which Insurance do I need for a home I own?

Congratulations! You’ve bought a home, or are in the middle of doing so (whether it’s your first or when buying your next home in the Netherlands). It’s an exciting time filled with things to arrange from your mortgage to the notary appointment. But there’s one important topic that often gets pushed to the last minute, insurance.

So what insurances do you actually need as a new homeowner?
We’ve listed the most important ones for you:

Building Insurance (required with a mortgage)

Building insurance, also called homeowners insurance, covers damage to the structure of your home. This includes fire, storm, lightning strikes, and water damage. In short: everything “fixed” to your house, like walls, roof, pipes, and built-in flooring.

🔑 Required with a mortgage: If you have a mortgage, your lender will require building insurance as part of applying for a mortgage in the Netherlands. Understandably so — the bank wants to make sure their collateral (your home) is properly insured.

Contents Insurance

While building insurance covers the house itself, contents insurance covers your belongings: furniture, electronics, clothes, jewelry, and more. It’s not mandatory, but highly recommended — especially when you consider how quickly the value of your possessions adds up.

📦 Tip: Check carefully what is and isn’t covered, especially for theft or damage outside the home (like a stolen laptop on the train).

Liability Insurance

While not specifically tied to homeownership, liability insurance is still important when you own a home. For example, if a roof tile falls onto someone’s car, or a visitor trips over a loose tile in your garden, you are legally liable as the homeowner.

Most liability policies cover up to millions of euros in damage, and they only cost a few euros per month.

Life Insurance (often required with a mortgage)

Taking out a mortgage with a partner? Then a term life insurance policy can be a smart, and sometimes required, choice. It pays out a lump sum if you or your partner passes away. That way, the surviving partner isn’t left with a mortgage they can’t afford.

Since 2018, life insurance is no longer automatically required, but many lenders still include it as a condition.

Legal expenses Insurance (with housing module)

As a homeowner, you could end up in legal disputes — with neighbors, a contractor, or a homeowners’ association (VvE). A legal expenses insurance policy with a housing module offers legal support and can save you a lot of stress (and money). Particularly helpful during renovations or disputes over property boundaries.

Mortgage payment protection Insurance

Want extra security? A mortgage payment protection policy covers (part of) your monthly payments if you become disabled or unemployed. It’s not mandatory, but worth considering if you don’t have much of a financial buffer.

A mortgage advisor can help you review which insurances are required by your lender and which ones make sense for your personal situation.

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