What should I keep in mind if I want to suspend my car's insurance?
If you own a car but, for whatever reason, won’t be using it for a while, you can temporarily suspend your auto insurance. In insurance terms, this is called “suspension.” You also won’t have to pay any premiums during this time. On this page, we’ll explain what you need to keep in mind if you want to suspend your auto insurance.
Why suspend your auto insurance?
Suppose you have a car that you won’t be using for a while—perhaps because it’s undergoing a lengthy repair, or because it’s a classic car —in which case you can suspend the license plate. This means that your liability insurance is temporarily suspended. In addition, you also temporarily suspend the motor vehicle tax and the mandatory vehicle inspection (APK).
There’s another situation where suspending your auto insurance might be a good idea. For example, if you’ve sold your car and don’t have a new one right away. You could cancel your auto insurance, but then you might lose your premium discount. In this case, you can temporarily suspend your auto insurance to keep the discount. Once you have a new car, you can reactivate the policy. An additional benefit is that your claim-free years remain valid for 3 years. If you cancel your car insurance, they’re only valid for one year.
What do I need to suspend my auto insurance?
You can suspend a vehicle’s registration either online through the RDW or at a PostNL post office. You’ll need a form of identification, proof of the vehicle’s transfer of ownership, and proof of registration in your name. There is a fee for suspension. The suspension fee depends on the age of the car. For a passenger car weighing up to 3,500 kilograms that is older than 15 years, you pay €24.10 per year. For a car younger than 15 years, you pay €73.10 per year. The suspension expires automatically after one year. You can cancel a suspension at a PostNL post office or at the RDW at any time throughout the year.
The suspension of the mandatory vehicle inspection (APK) and motor vehicle tax is handled automatically by the RDW. To suspend your auto insurance, contact your insurer. Include a copy of the suspension certificate you received from the RDW or the certificate of exemption. Once the license plate is marked as suspended, there is no obligation to insure the vehicle. You also do not have to pay road tax, and there is no requirement to undergo an APK inspection. When you want to use the vehicle again, you can reactivate the insurance.
What are the requirements for temporarily suspending my auto insurance?
There are a number of conditions for suspending a car insurance policy:
- Deactivate the vehicle with the RDW first: You must first deactivate your vehicle with the RDW before deactivating your auto insurance.
- Suspension for up to 12 months: After this period, you must extend the suspension yourself; otherwise, you risk a fine.
- Vehicle on private property: During the suspension period, your vehicle must be parked on private property, such as in a garage or under a carport.
See also:
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