Mastering Dutch Contents Insurances

Let’s be honest: there are more exciting things to think about than contents insurance. But here’s the thing, after a few months of settling into a new place, the value of everything you own adds up fast. Your bike, your laptop, your furniture, your camera. Replace all of that at once, and you’re looking at tens of thousands of euros.

That’s what contents insurance is for. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is contents insurance, anyway?

Contents insurance covers all the stuff you own: everything you’d pack up and take with you when you move. If it’s yours and it lives in your home, it’s covered.

Think your washing machine floods the apartment and soaks your carpet. Or someone breaks in and takes your laptop. Contents insurance is what steps in when things go sideways.

Contents insurance (inboedel) and liability insurance (aansprakelijkheid) are not required in the Netherlands, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it. Most Dutch households do, and for good reason.

Do I need contents insurance?

You’re not legally required to get it. But imagine having to replace everything you own after a fire, a flood, or a break-in. Furniture, clothes, electronics, your bike. The cost adds up quickly, and contents insurance is exactly what covers that.

Or maybe a smaller scenario: your locked bike gets stolen outside a cafe, or someone smashes a window and takes your laptop. Contents insurance doesn’t cover every annoying thing that can happen, but for the big stuff, it’s there.

One thing worth knowing as an expat: with Lemonade, you get insurance that actually works for expat life. Simple, transparent, and available in English.

What stuff is covered?

Contents insurance covers any of your items against damages that may occur. When damage does occur, contents insurance pays for the repair or replacement value of your belongings. Importantly, Lemonade’s policy doesn’t pay you less because your damaged item has been used.

Here are some examples of what’s covered:

• Jewelry (watches, engagement rings, necklaces)
• Clothing and accessories
• Furniture
• Bicycles
• Musical instruments
• Cameras
• Electronic devices (TVs, laptops, phones)

The standard Lemonade policy automatically covers items up to a value of € 5.000 each. If you own something worth more than that, say a high-end racing bike, a professional camera, you can get extra coverage added to your policy. You’ll need to contact the Lemonade team to get those items approved, and you’ll need a photo and proof of purchase for each one.

Lemonade provides coverage for items normally stored in your home, balcony, terrace, garage, shed, or storage space on the premises of your primary address, but not when they’re stored in public or unsecured areas. This means that belongings normally stored elsewhere, such as in your holiday home, office, or a temporary external storage space outside your building, aren’t covered. There is one exception: Lemonade will cover your stuff when it is kept in a storage facility for up to 7 days when you move to your new home in the Netherlands.

When does my contents insurance cover me?

Lemonade’s contents insurance covers you for:

Fire, smoke, and explosions 

If a fire breaks out or an appliance explodes and damages your belongings, you’re covered.

Burglary and vandalism 

If items are stolen or damaged by a burglary, this is also covered.

Water damage 

Contents insurance covers you if your washing machine floods your apartment and your furniture gets damaged as a result, as long as it’s caused by burst or blocked pipes, or an appliance leaking in your building.

Storms and hail 

Coverage includes damage caused by lightning, windstorms, hail, frost, and the weight of snow. 

Temporary accommodation 

Some contents insurance provides coverage for temporarily increased living costs. If your home becomes unlivable and you have to find shelter somewhere else, contents insurance is there to help. So if a short circuit causes a fire and you need a hotel or Airbnb while repairs are made, those costs are covered. 

Note: Lemonade doesn’t cover temporary accommodation due to an outage in utilities (power, water, or heating), infestations (bed bugs, mice, roaches), or other events that aren’t covered by the policy.

Worldwide coverage 

Lemonade’s contents insurance protects you anywhere in the world, for trips lasting less than 3 months.

Moving home 

If you already have an active policy and you move, your belongings will remain insured at your current address for up to one month after your new policy becomes effective. During this period, your belongings will be insured at both your old and your new address, provided that the new address is in the Netherlands. After one month, coverage for your old address, under the new policy, will automatically end.

Add-ons: extra coverage when you need it

Anti-Theft Package

Your base policy covers your phone, laptop, and tablet against things like fire, burglary, and vandalism at home. Your phone, laptop, and tablet are insured under your base policy against things such as fire, burglary, and vandalism. You can add the Anti-Theft add-on so that these mobile devices are insured against theft outside your home, as long as you have taken reasonable precautions to protect them.

Your bike is also covered under this add-on, whether it’s stolen inside or outside. Just make sure it was locked with an approved lock. For just a few more euros per month, your contents are covered anywhere in the world, not just at your registered address, with the Theft Add-on.

All-Risk Package

The All-Risk package goes a step further. You’re covered for accidental damage to your belongings, even if it’s your own fault. Spill coffee on your carpet? Knock over your TV? Covered. Please note that this does not apply to mobile electronics like smartphones, laptops, or tablets. If you accidentally drop and break those, they won’t be covered under All-Risk.

What’s not covered?

Lemonade doesn’t cover stuff that is mysteriously lost or broken, so if you drop your phone in the canal or spill coffee all over your laptop’s keyboard, that’s not covered.

Here’s the full list of what falls outside your policy:

• Intentional damage. If you caused it on purpose, it’s not covered.
• Mysterious loss. Lost your keys, dropped your phone in a canal? Not covered.
• Wear and tear. Lemonade doesn’t cover damage relating to general wear and tear like scratches or stains, or damage that arises gradually, like mould or rust.
• Cash and firearms. Not covered under any circumstances.
• Business equipment. Stuff primarily used for work isn’t covered. If your employer gave you that laptop, it’s not covered under your personal contents policy.
• Items in others’ possession. If your belongings get damaged while being shipped, dry cleaned, handled by a moving company, or borrowed by a friend, that’s not covered.
• Stuff covered by other insurance. Motorized vehicles with compulsory insurance requirements, pet injuries, and similar items have their own coverage.
• Illegal items. Property that is illegal for you to own is not covered.
• Recklessness or negligence. If you caused the damage through reckless or negligent behavior, it’s not covered.
• War, terrorism, or nuclear events. Not covered.

Who is covered?

You can add your partner or children to your policy. You don’t have to be married, you just need to live together. Housemates, however, are not covered and will need their own policy.

Tip: Make sure you have enough coverage for your partner’s and children’s belongings too, not just your own.

How much coverage do I need?

Here’s a simple rule of thumb. Imagine throwing everything in your home out the window: furniture, carpets, clothing, appliances, bikes, instruments. Add up the cost of replacing that pile on the street. That’s the coverage amount you need.

If your lifestyle changes or you acquire more stuff, you can update your coverage anytime in the Lemonade app.

How do I get contents insurance?

All you need is your address and an estimate of how much coverage you’ll need. Maya, our AI assistant, will walk you through your options and help you build the right policy in just a few minutes. You can get set up on the Lemonade app or at lemonade.com/nl/en.

When you need to make a claim, open the app and tap “Submit claim.” Your claim will be reviewed by our team as quickly as possible.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. No lock-in, no fees. With Lemonade, you can cancel your contents insurance free of charge whenever you want, directly via the app. After you cancel, we’ll refund the unused portion of your premium to your account. If you ever want to come back, we’ll set up a new policy for you. Please note that your premium may be different, as our prices change from time to time.

Making a difference: the Giveback program

Giveback is at the heart of how Lemonade works. When you get your first policy, you choose a cause you care about, and Lemonade donates to nonprofits supporting those causes. The more customers who choose a cause, the larger the contribution to nonprofits supporting it.

Since 2017, we’ve donated over $12M to help fund clean water systems, deliver meals to people in need, build homes for families, and more. So your policy doesn’t just protect you, it connects your choices to real community support.Lemonade is a Certified B Corp, which means we’re legally committed to balancing profit with purpose. Giveback is one expression of that commitment, built directly into the Lemonade experience.

It’s insurance designed for the 21st century!