Insuring your first car
Have you bought your first car? Before you get the car in your name, you need to arrange car insurance. The best car insurance depends on your budget, the type of car you drive and your chosen coverage. You can also get cheap car insurance without claim-free years.
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Car insurance is mandatory
Many people think that you only need to insure the car when you get home because the car is still insured at the garage. That's not true. As soon as the car's license plate is transferred to your name, you, as the license plate holder, are required to purchase car insurance.
Choose at least third-party insurance (third-party liability). This covers the damage you cause to others. Driving without insurance can result in a large fine and problems in case of an accident.
Coverage
Depending on the value and age of the car, you select the most appropriate coverage. The most comprehensive coverage is the third-party comprehensive insurance. The disadvantage of this insurance is that the premium depends on the new value of the car. As a result, this coverage may not work out for older cars.
WA (mandatory)
- Damage to others
- Theft, joyriding and missing.
- Window damage
- Damage caused by fire or natural disasters
- Own damage from a collision
Limited casco
- Damage to others
- Theft, joyriding and missing.
- Window damage
- Damage caused by fire or natural disasters
- Own damage from a collision
All Risk (WA+Casco)
- Damage to others
- Theft, joyriding and missing.
- Window damage
- Damage caused by fire or natural disasters
- Own damage from a collision
Choose coverage appropriate for your first car
For young drivers with a cheap used car, third-party insurance or limited liability insurance is often sufficient. WA Casco (All-risk) car insurance pays off only with a relatively new or expensive car.
Third-party insurance fits cars older than 10 years.
WA Limited Comprehensive insurance fits cars between 6 and 10 years old.
WA Casco insurance suits a new car or a car up to about 6 years old. Do you have an older car but cannot buy an equivalent car after damage? Then still opt for third-party liability insurance.
Additional coverages
In addition to standard auto insurance, you can choose additional coverages as a novice driver. These additional options offer protection against specific risks not covered by the basic coverage. Examples include breakdown on the road, damage from vandalism, or insuring accessories in your car.
More comprehensive coverage is not always necessary. Look honestly at your driving style, how often you drive and what is important to you.
Roadside Assistance Netherlands
v.a.
7 ,50
p/month
Help after an accident is standardly insured on your insurance. In addition to the insurance, it is also possible to take out roadside assistance insurance for the Netherlands.
Roadside assistance Europe
v.a.
11 ,66
p/month
Help after an accident is covered by default on your insurance. In addition to the insurance, it is also possible to take out roadside assistance insurance for Europe.
Legal Aid
from
7 ,10
p/month
Insured of legal help in traffic disputes. At home and abroad. With the vehicle insured on the policy.
Occupant accidents
v.a.
1 ,53
p/month
Accidental occupant insurance pays fixed amounts in the event of death or permanent disability of the driver and/or passengers.
Occupant damage
v.a.
5 ,66
p/month
This insurance pays for material damages suffered by the driver and passengers due to an accident.
Getting your first car insurance in 5 steps
Bought your first car? Get car insurance 24/7 online. Make sure you have license plate number, registration code and driver's license on hand. Without these details, you can't get insurance. Here's how to arrange insurance:
Provisional coverage
After taking out the insurance, you often receive provisional coverage immediately, so that you can immediately be insured on the road. To register the license plate with the RDW, the insurer still needs the registration code. This can be found on the license plate.
Cost of car insurance
The amount of the premium depends on several factors, such as your age, the type of car you want to insure and the coverage you choose. As a novice driver, the premium for car insurance is often higher than for experienced drivers. Insurers use this higher premium because, as a beginner, you pose a greater risk of damage.
| Age | Car type | Coverage | Average monthly premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 years | Small city car | WA | € 80 - € 120 |
| 20 years | Compact hatchback | WA+ | € 100 - € 160 |
| 22 years | Newer occasion | All-risk | € 130 - € 200 |
First car insurance and claim-free years
When you take out car insurance for the first time, you have not yet built up any claim-free years. You only accrue claim-free years if you have a car insurance policy in your own name and drive claim-free. Novice drivers usually have not yet built up any claim-free years. Accruing claim-free years is important, because it ultimately results in a lower premium. Accrued claim-free years ensure that you climb the no-claims ladder and receive more no-claims discount.
You therefore start with 0 claim-free years. Every year that you do not claim on your car insurance, you build up 1 claim-free year. This way you build up claim-free years and get more discount on your premium.
Insure in your parents' name or your own name
It may seem like a good idea to insure your car in your parents' name. Your parents probably have accumulated more claim-free years and therefore more insurance discounts. Still, this is not a good idea.
If you are actually the lead driver, that is insurance fraud. In the event of a claim, you could face problems or even no reimbursement from your insurance company at all. It is best to put the insurance in your own name and build up claim-free years as soon as possible.
Lead driver or regular driver?
The main driver is the person who drives the car most often and gets the most miles. The regular driver is someone who drives the car regularly, but not necessarily the most.
So if you drive to school or work every day in a car registered in your parents' name, but you are not listed as the primary driver, that could cause problems in claims. Of course, you may occasionally drive your parents' car.
Compare multiple car insurance policies for the cheapest insurance policy
Compare providers to find the cheapest car insurance for novice drivers. You don't need the license plate number to compare car insurance and buy car insurance already.
Consider the following factors when comparing auto insurance policies:
Your driving experience
The type of car
Your age
The region in which you live
The number of claim-free years
Car insurance?
Tips to make your first car insurance cheaper
Choose a car with a low insurance rating such as a small hatchback or a fuel-efficient city car. The less power and the lower the weight, the lower usually your premium.
Compare insurance policies online, not only by price but also by terms and conditions. For example, look at what is or is not covered in case of damage.
Consider a higher deductible to reduce monthly costs. You'll pay more in the event of damage, but if you don't drive much or are careful, this can be beneficial.
Pay annually instead of monthly. It seems like a lot of money all at once, but many insurers give discounts if you pay all at once.
The earlier you start accruing claim-free years, the faster you will get a discount. Thus, third-party insurance in your own name is often better than insurance in your parents' name.
Frequently asked questions about insuring your first car
Is additional coverage really necessary?
Insurers offer a whole slew of extra coverages, but by no means everything is really necessary. Especially if you are just starting out in driving, you don't want to pay for something you don't need. Still, some options can be useful, depending on how and how much you drive:
- Breakdown Assistance: Do you drive a lot or often travel to unfamiliar places? Then roadside assistance can save a lot of stress. Especially if you are not a member of the ANWB or Route Mobiel.
- Legal Aid: Are you involved in a traffic dispute or do you have damages where the other party is being difficult? Then legal help is nice to have behind you.
- Passenger insurance: This covers personal injury or belongings of passengers. Not mandatory, but gives peace of mind if you regularly take friends with you.
Can I insure the car in my parents' or someone else's name?
This is only allowed if they are actually the ones driving the car most of the time. If you are the daily driver but your parents are on the policy, the insurance company will see that as fraud. In case of damage you will not get compensation.
So self-insuring is not only fairer, but safer for your wallet as well as your claim-free years.
What is the cheapest car insurance for your first car?
The most economical option is usually third-party insurance for a small, inexpensive car. Think of a Peugeot 107 or Toyota Aygo. You are then insured for damage to others, but not to your own car.
Do you have a more expensive car? For example, one that you bought with a lot of effort or savings? Then only WA is usually not a good idea. Is your car totaled by your fault? Then you get nothing reimbursed with TPL insurance. You have to pay for the cost of a new car yourself.
So ask yourself honestly: can I handle it financially? If the answer is no, then WA+ or even All-risk is often a wiser choice, despite the higher premium.
Is All-Risk insurance smart for a first car?
Only if your car is still young and worth a lot. Think of a car up to 5 years old, or with a daily value above €10,000. For older cars, All-risk is often not worth it: you pay a lot of premium, while the payment in case of damage is sometimes disappointing. WA or WA+ is then a safer (and cheaper) choice.
Only if you have accumulated many claim-free years and your premium is lower, it may be smart to choose all-risk anyway.
What happens if I drive a claim without claim-free years?
Then you're going to notice it in your wallet. Your premium will rise and you will even build up minus points instead of discounts. With a substantial claim, this can save you dozens of euros per month. That's why it pays to start small, drive safely and slowly build up claim-free years.
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