Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund
The Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund helps you if your car is damaged by an unknown or uninsured driver. For example, if someone flees the scene after an accident or doesn’t have insurance. In that case, file a claim. The fund will ensure that you still receive compensation.
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Guarantee Fund for Damage Caused by Unknown or Stolen Vehicles
You can receive compensation from the Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund if you have suffered damage caused by a motor vehicle and cannot turn to an insurer. This is the case, for example, if the at-fault party is unknown, is uninsured, or if the vehicle was stolen.
The damage does not always have to be caused by a car. The Guarantee Fund compensates for damage caused by all motor vehicles, such as mopeds or tractors. Damage caused by a attached trailer or fallen cargo is also covered under the definition of a motor vehicle.
Also for damage to property other than your car
The Guarantee Fund covers damage to property and personal injury caused by a motor vehicle. This means they also compensate you for damage to your bicycle, car, garden fence, or home. If you suffer property damage caused by an unknown perpetrator, you must pay €250 out of pocket.
This auto damage is covered by the Guarantee Fund
The Guarantee Fund provides assistance for traffic-related damage in the Netherlands in five situations, provided it is clear who caused the damage. However, there are a few conditions that apply.
The Guarantee Fund will only make a payment if:
It is not clear who caused the damage.
The motor vehicle is not insured.
The motor vehicle has been stolen, and the driver is aware of this.
The insurance company for the vehicle that caused the damage has gone bankrupt.
The owner of the vehicle is not required to have insurance due to personal beliefs.
No compensation for damage involving cyclists or vandalism
Damage to your car will only be covered if it was caused by another motor vehicle. If the damage resulted from a collision with a cyclist or an object such as a shopping cart, you will not receive any compensation.
Damage caused by vandalism, destruction, or theft of your car is not covered by the Guarantee Fund. Please file a police report or notify the police.
Do you have comprehensive auto insurance? If so, you'll be reimbursed for damage caused by vandalism.
Witness Statement Regarding Auto Damage
Would you like to file a claim with the Guarantee Fund? If so, you must provide proof of the damage. The Guarantee Fund will only reimburse the damage if you can demonstrate that you made an effort to identify the perpetrator.
For example, by filing a report with the police, placing an ad, or asking around in the neighborhood. You must take action within 14 days of discovering the damage before you file the claim.
Using Eyewitnesses in Car Accident Claims
So try to find witnesses as soon as possible. Witnesses are people who saw another motor vehicle collide with your car. We call these “eyewitnesses.”
It is often difficult to find people who actually saw the accident. That is why the Guarantee Fund also uses people who were at the scene of the accident as witnesses.
A witness at the scene can state that the parked car:
There was no damage caused by parking
It hasn't been moved in the meantime
The car was damaged while it was parked
The Guarantee Fund has created a form that witnesses can fill out. Witnesses must also be willing to repeat their testimony before a judge if necessary.
Using Silent Witnesses in Car Accident Claims
Unfortunately, your own statement is not enough for the Guarantee Fund to reimburse you for the car damage. The Guarantee Fund will only pay if there are people or evidence that can corroborate your account.
Witnesses do not always have to be people. Traces left behind at the scene of the accident can also serve as witnesses. We call these “silent witnesses.” Examples of silent witnesses include broken parts from another car, pieces of glass, mud from a fender, or paint marks.
Claims adjuster for the Guarantee Fund
In addition to witness statements, the Guarantee Fund consults an expert for every claim. This expert determines whether the damage was actually caused by another motor vehicle. The expert also investigates whether the car was damaged while it was parked.
Or perhaps you caused the damage yourself, for example, in a collision. In the latter case, you will not receive compensation from the Guarantee Fund. If you file a claim anyway, you are committing fraud, and that can have serious consequences.
Deductible for the Guarantee Fund in the Event of Auto Damage
The Guarantee Fund covers damage to property and personal injury caused by a motor vehicle. If the damage was caused by an unknown motor vehicle, the Guarantee Fund usually applies a deductible of €250.
The Motor Vehicle Insurance Directive states that every EU country must have a Guarantee Fund. This directive distinguishes between damage caused by an uninsured vehicle and damage caused by an unidentified vehicle. In some cases, it also involves a stolen vehicle or someone who is exempt from having insurance due to personal objections.
Car Damage Caused by an Uninsured Vehicle
If you are hit by an insured vehicle, the other party’s insurer will cover the full cost of the damage to your car. You are not liable for the damage caused, so no deductible applies.
Even if you are hit by a car, there is no deductible. The Guarantee Fund reimburses the damages and then recovers as much of the cost as possible from the person responsible.
Car damage caused by an unknown vehicle
If property damage is caused by an unknown party, you have a deductible of €250.
Car Damage Caused by a Stolen Vehicle
In the case of a stolen car, the same rule applies as for an uninsured car. The Guarantee Fund does not charge a deductible in such cases.
Exemption from the Insurance Requirement on Grounds of Conscience
Perhaps the person who caused damage to your car not have car insurance due to personal objections. If someone refuses to purchase insurance because of his or her religion or beliefs, that person is considered to have a conscientious objection and is not required to purchase insurance. Instead, they pay an annual contribution to the Conscientious Objectors Fund (FMG).
The FMG attempts to recover as much of the costs associated with damage as possible from the liable conscientious objectors. The Guarantee Fund handles this on behalf of the FMG and does not charge a deductible in these cases.
Payment by the Guarantee Fund
Of course, you want to settle your claim as quickly as possible. The Guarantee Fund is happy to help you with this. How quickly you receive your payment also depends on how quickly all the necessary information is received—for example, the police report or whether any witnesses still need to be interviewed. Most claims reported to the Guarantee Fund are typically paid out within 6 weeks.
Funding for the Guarantee Fund
The Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund receives money from insurance companies that sell auto insurance. These companies contribute a portion of the money they receive from customers to the fund.
They also receive money from fines and other sources of revenue related to driving without insurance. So, in effect, everyone with an insured motor vehicle contributes to the Guarantee Fund.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Guarantee Fund
When am I eligible for the Auto Guarantee Fund?
You are eligible for the Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund if you have suffered damage caused by an unknown, uninsured, or stolen vehicle and you are unable to hold the at-fault party liable yourself. You must be able to prove that the vehicle caused the damage and that the incident occurred in the Netherlands.
How do I file a claim with the Auto Guarantee Fund?
You must submit a claim using the online claim form on the Guarantee Fund’s website. You will need supporting documentation, such as a police report, witness statement(s), photos, and a completed damage report. Upon receipt, the fund will assess whether your claim meets the requirements.
What are the conditions for reimbursement through the Guarantee Fund?
Key conditions include: the damage was caused by a motor vehicle; the person responsible is unknown or uninsured; the incident occurred in the Netherlands; and you can provide evidence to support the accident and the damage, such as a police report or a witness statement.
How do I prove my damages to the Auto Guarantee Fund?
You can provide evidence through a combination of elements: photos of the damage, a police report, witness statements, quotes from repair companies, and, if available, surveillance footage. The stronger your case, the greater your chances of receiving compensation.
Will my premium be affected if I file a claim with the Guarantee Fund?
No, filing a claim with the Motor Vehicle Guarantee Fund does not affect your no-claims years or your insurance premium. It is a separate entity from your own auto insurer, so your policy remains unaffected.
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