Bought a used car? Make sure you insure it before you drive home

Have you just bought a second-hand car? Then you probably only want one thing: to hit the road as soon as possible. Totally understandable, but hold on a moment. Is the insurance sorted yet? Driving off without insurance isn’t just illegal, it can also end up costing you a lot of money if something happens on the way.

First in your name, then insured

Before you can insure anything at all, the car must be in your name. So whether you bought the car from a dealer or a private seller, that transfer has to be sorted first. These days you can do it easily online or simply at an RDW location. Make sure the seller brings all the paperwork and bring your own driving licence. Once you have the registration document and the seller has the certificate of indemnity, the car is officially yours and you can get on with arranging insurance. Check first which insurer suits you best in terms of price and cover, then you can take out your car insurance easily online, either directly or via a comparison site.

Which insurance suits your car?

Not every car needs the same cover. If you’ve bought an older used car, you really don’t need to take out an expensive comprehensive (all-risk) policy. In many cases, third party insurance (WA) is enough, especially if the car has been going for about ten years. This covers damage you cause to other people and is mandatory in the Netherlands anyway. If you want a bit more peace of mind, such as cover for glass damage or theft, then third party fire and theft (WA limited casco) is a good middle ground. For a car up to six years old, comprehensive cover still makes sense, as it’s usually still valuable enough to be worth insuring fully. Cars between six and ten years? Limited casco is usually a good choice. If your car is heading for retirement age, third party is generally sufficient, unless you’re driving a luxury model of course.

It always pays to compare

Whatever you choose, it’s wise to have a look around before you commit to anything. Online, you can easily arrange your car insurance and instantly see your monthly costs. Comparing ensures you’re not paying too much either. Especially for a used car, it’s often sensible to go for a cheap insurance policy that simply does what it needs to—no unnecessary extras. Comparing policies is quick and easy online. Found an insurer that suits you? Then you can take out your car insurance here, so you can hit the road safely and fully insured, and with peace of mind.

Sort it in time

It might sound obvious, but you must be insured before you drive on public roads. If you buy from a dealer, you’ll usually know in advance when you can collect the car. That’s the perfect time to arrange insurance ahead of time. But if you buy something on the spur of the moment through Marktplaats and want to drive off straight away? Then you’ll need to sort insurance on the spot. Luckily, it can now be done online in just a few minutes and you’ll often get immediate provisional cover. That way, you can get behind the wheel with peace of mind.