Car Insurance Underwriting Questions
When you take out car insurance, you’ll always have to answer underwriting questions. Insurers ask these questions to determine whether to accept or reject your application. Therefore, always be honest about your situation.
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Topics Covered in Car Insurance Underwriting Questions
Insurance companies consider a number of factors to determine whether you will be accepted as a customer and what your auto insurance premium will be.
Insurers want to manage risks. Underwriting questions give them insight into your driving record, claims history, and reliability. This helps them determine whether you fit within their risk profile. You are not insured until the insurer has approved your car insurance application.
Damage to Your Car
You will be asked whether the car has been uninsured for more than 14 days and whether there is any pre-existing damage to the car. Auto insurance does not always cover damage that was already present when the policy was purchased.
Have you been involved in an accident in the past and, as a result, accumulated negative claim-free years? Negative claim-free years can affect your premium and underwriting decision. The number of claims you’ve filed in the past also affects your application. Windshield damage does not count toward this total.
Driver's License and Driving Skills
Insurance companies also ask questions about the driver’s license and the driver’s driving ability. They want to know whether you have a driver’s license that is valid in the Netherlands or a foreign driver’s license that is recognized here.
You will also be asked about any restrictions or notes on your driver's license, such as a conditional suspension.
The driver's driving ability also plays a major role in evaluating the application. A driver with a clean driving record and a valid driver's license is considered less of a risk.
Driver's license suspension or criminal record
Have you ever had your driver’s license suspended or a criminal record? If so, the auto insurer may charge a higher premium or even reject your application. According to the insurer, the moral risk is higher than for a policyholder without a suspension or criminal record.
Intentionally misrepresenting your driving history or concealing a criminal record can result in immediate denial of auto insurance coverage and a report to Stichting CIS.
Even if you have a suspended driver's license or a criminal record, you can still purchase auto insurance. In that case, you can purchase insurance through Vereende.
Overdue payments or debts
Insurers may also ask questions about your financial situation. For example, they may ask whether your income has been garnished, whether you are currently in—or have been in—a debt restructuring program, or whether a bailiff has been involved. This helps them properly assess your financial situation and any potential risks, such as garnishment.
Underwriting questions may vary by insurer
Most insurers ask similar underwriting questions, but sometimes an insurer limits itself to only some of them. The insurer can use your answers to evaluate your auto insurance application.
Duty to Disclose: Be Honest When Answering the Underwriting Questions
If you do not answer the questions honestly, the insurer may reject your application if it turns out that you have not fulfilled your duty to disclose. This duty requires you to provide complete and truthful information when applying for and maintaining auto insurance.
Failing to answer the underwriting questions honestly is considered insurance fraud. A CIS registration due to fraud can have serious consequences.
Report to the CIS Foundation
Car insurance companies can also file a report with the CIS Foundation if it turns out that incorrect information was provided. This makes it more difficult to obtain car insurance from other insurers.
3 types of questions: acceptance, closing, and confirmation questions
When taking out car insurance, you’ll often encounter several different types of questions. In addition to underwriting questions, you’ll also be asked final questions and consent questions. Below, you can read about the differences between these three types of questions.
| Term | Meaning | Objective | When stated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Questions | Questions insurers ask to assess your risk profile. | Determine whether you are eligible for insurance. | When applying for insurance. |
| Final Questions | General, often legal, questions at the end of the application process. | Verify that all information provided is complete and accurate. | At the very end of the application form. |
| Agreement questions | Questions that confirm your agreement to the terms and conditions and the processing of your data. | Legally confirm that you agree to the insurance contract. | After answering all the substantive questions. |
Sample Acceptance Questions
If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, you must explain this in your application. If you purchase auto insurance through Alpina, you can expect the following questions.
Acceptance Questions
- Has the vehicle been uninsured for more than 14 days since it was registered in your name?
Insurers want to know if there was a period during which the car was uninsured, even though insurance was required. This may affect the approval of your application. - Is there any pre-existing damage to the vehicle?
Pre-existing damage is usually not covered by a new insurance policy. That is why it is important to report it in advance.
Final Questions
- Have you, or anyone you wish to include on the policy (such as a co-owner, registered owner, regular driver, or partner), had any run-ins with the police or the justice system in the past 8 years?
For example, due to a conviction for: theft, fraud, swindling, forgery, assault, or traffic offenses such as driving under the influence or hit-and-run. - Has an insurance policy held by you or another interested party been canceled or declined in the past 5 years?
This can happen, for example, in cases of fraud, multiple claims in a short period of time, or late payments. - Have you, or someone you wish to include on your policy, been involved in a collision or theft in the past 5 years (regardless of who was at fault)?
Even if the damage was caused by someone else and you were reimbursed, you must still report it. You do not need to report windshield damage. - Have you or any of the regular drivers had your driver's license revoked in the past 8 years?
For example, due to driving under the influence or serious traffic violations. - Has a bailiff currently seized your income or assets?
Or have you been declared bankrupt, entered into a debt restructuring program, or been granted a payment deferral by a judge within the past 5 years? - Have you or any of your co-insured individuals ever been involved in insurance fraud or intentionally misled a financial institution?
Insurance companies use this information to prevent fraud.
Agreement questions
For these questions, all you have to do is indicate your agreement.
- Digital Communication
You will receive your policy, payment reminders, and important information via email. You hereby give your consent to this. - Insurance Card and Documents
You agree that the insurance card and other documents will be made available digitally.
Notice You hereby declare that you have read the Service Guide and Privacy Statement, and that you have submitted this application without seeking advice.
Alarm Requirements You are aware of the specified alarm requirements (for example, for theft protection) and understand that coverage is not provided in the event of non-compliance.- First Premium Payment
If you pay monthly, the first direct debit amount may be higher, as it covers both the remainder of the current month and the following month.
Statement You confirm that you have answered all questions truthfully and understand the content.
Getting Car Insurance If You've Been Denied
What if an insurer won't accept you? There are still options for getting good car insurance. You can always get car insurance through De Vereende. It doesn't matter why you were turned down elsewhere.
However, the premium is considerably higher than that of standard auto insurance. This higher premium is due to the higher risk for the insurer.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Underwriting Questions for Auto Insurance
What underwriting questions are asked?
Insurers ask underwriting questions to determine whether you are eligible for auto insurance. These questions cover topics such as previous claims, traffic violations or criminal offenses, policy cancellations by other insurers, financial situations (such as debt restructuring or asset seizure), and whether the vehicle has been damage-free and insured.
What are underwriting questions for auto insurance?
These are questions that insurers ask to assess your personal risk based on each insurance policy you apply for. They include your driving behavior, claims history, and insurance history. Based on your answers, they decide whether to accept you and under what terms.
Am I required to answer the underwriting questions honestly?
Yes, you are required by law to disclose all facts that may be relevant to a car insurance company’s underwriting decisions. We refer to this as the duty to disclose.
Insurers consult various sources to verify the accuracy of the information you provide. Therefore, you should always answer the underwriting questions honestly when purchasing auto insurance.
Are you withholding information? If so, an insurer has all sorts of ways to find out. In that case, they have the right to cancel your auto insurance.
Why might an insurer turn you down?
An insurer may refuse to cover you if you do not fit within their risk profile. Examples include a history of numerous claims, a lapsed policy, or providing incorrect information on the application. Every auto insurer has its own underwriting policy.
Can I be denied coverage based on my claims history?
Yes, that's certainly possible. If you've filed multiple claims in the past or have been declined by another insurer, many insurers will view you as a higher-risk policyholder. This can result in a denial or a higher premium.
What happens if I give incorrect answers to the underwriting questions?
Deliberately providing incorrect answers can have serious consequences. The insurer may then refuse to insure you or cancel your policy. And if fraud is involved, you could end up in the CIS registry, which will make it more difficult to obtain insurance in the future.
What if I'm not accepted anywhere?
Fortunately, there are other options if you’re turned down by a traditional insurance company. Insurers like De Vereende also accept customers who have been turned down elsewhere. You’ll often pay a higher premium, but you’ll remain insured.
Can I get car insurance without having to answer underwriting questions?
No, that’s not possible. You always have to answer a series of underwriting questions. Every auto insurer is legally required to ask a series of underwriting questions before issuing an auto insurance policy. Based on your answers, the insurer determines whether you can be accepted and under what conditions. This ensures fair and responsible underwriting.
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