Part 6 of 8 in General Legislation & Driver Requirements
Insurance, accident report form and APK
Is third-party (WA) car insurance mandatory? Yes, even when parked. Learn what WA covers, how to fill in an accident report and when the APK is due.
Written by Chris Prosman Reviewed by Dirk van Zuijlen
Updated Reviewed on 4 min read
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Third-party (WA) insurance is compulsory for your car, also when it is parked. Here you read what WA covers, how to fill in the European accident report after a collision and when your car must go for its APK inspection.
Video explanation
What is WA car insurance in the Netherlands?
WA insurance pays for the damage you cause to others with your car. WA stands for legal liability. Your own damage is not covered.
| Insurance | Damage to the other party | Damage to your own car |
|---|---|---|
| WA (third-party) | Yes | No |
| WA + limited casco | Yes | Only some damage, such as theft or window damage. This differs per policy. |
| All-risk (WA + full casco) | Yes | Also a lot of your own damage, with an excess and conditions. |
Do you hit another car? Then your WA pays the other party’s damage. You pay your own damage yourself, unless you have casco or all-risk.
Is third-party car insurance mandatory?
Yes. For a car, at least WA insurance is compulsory. Arrange it right after buying, before you drive. A car that is only parked must also stay insured.
A scooter, light moped, moped, speed pedelec and motorcycle must also have WA insurance. A normal bicycle or e-bike does not.
Not using the car for a long time? Then you can suspend the registration at the RDW. You then do not need insurance, APK or road tax. But the car may not be on a public road and you may not drive it.
Borrowing or lending a car
The registered keeper must arrange insurance and APK. Borrowing a car? Check that it is insured, has a valid APK and is safe. Do not drive with a broken tyre, mirror or seat belt. As the driver you are responsible for how you drive. Also check whether the insurance allows someone else to drive.
How to fill in a European accident report form
After a collision you fill in the European accident report form together with the other party, on paper or digitally. This shows the insurer what happened. But first: make it safe.
- Stop in a safe place and switch on your hazard lights.
- Is someone injured or is there danger? Call 112 and help where you can.
- Never just drive away. The other party must be able to know who you are and which car you drive.
On the form you write: names, number plates, insurers, place and time, what happened and a sketch. Also note witnesses and take photos. Read carefully what you sign. Then report the damage to your insurer.
No paper form with you? Then you may use a digital report or write the details down. The law does not require exactly that paper form.
When does a car need an APK inspection?
It depends on the fuel and the age of your car. A new petrol car needs its first APK after 4 years, a new diesel after 3 years. Is a petrol car 8 years or older, or a diesel 3 years or older? Then it needs an APK every year.
| Car up to 3500 kg | When is the APK due? |
|---|---|
| Petrol or electric, younger than 30 years | First after 4 years, then after 2 years, then after 2 years again, then every year (4-2-2-1). |
| Diesel or LPG, younger than 30 years | First after 3 years, then every year. |
| 30 years or older, younger than 50 | Every 2 years. |
| 50 years or older | No APK needed. |
You can see when your APK expires in the RDW number plate check. That date counts. Driving without a valid APK is not allowed.
You do not need to keep the APK report in the car: the police check the APK digitally. Do carry your licence and registration card. A valid APK only means the car was fine on that day. After that you keep the tyres, brakes, lights and wipers in order yourself. Motorcycles and mopeds have no normal APK.
Practise like the exam
Example questions like in the CBR exam
Real questions from the Theorio app. You can expect similar questions in your CBR exam.
Question 1 of 5
Een WA-verzekering is een in Nederland verplichte autoverzekering
What does a liability insurance cover?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Je raakt met je auto betrokken bij een ongeval, waarbij schade ontstaat. De auto is verzekerd met een all-risk (WA + casco) verzekering.
What can the all-risk (liability + casco) insurance of the motor vehicle reimburse after an accident?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Your car is uninsured, are you allowed to park on the road?
Tap the answer you think is right.
You are involved in an accident. You have no damage. Do you still have to disclose your identity?
Tap the answer you think is right.
When do you need to have your diesel car inspected for the first time?
Tap the answer you think is right.
Answers and explanations for the example questions
Question 1: What does a liability insurance cover?
Correct answer: Only the damage to the other party
Suppose you collide with another car. It is your fault. The other car is damaged. Then your insurance pays for that other car's repairs. But be careful: Is your own car also damaged? This insurance does not cover that. You have to pay the costs for your own car yourself.
Question 2: What can the all-risk (liability + casco) insurance of the motor vehicle reimburse after an accident?
Correct answer: Damage of both vehicles
You have a collision. It is your fault. The other car is damaged. Your own car is also damaged. This insurance is very expensive, but very nice. It pays for everything. The insurance pays for the repair of the other car. And the insurance also pays for the repair of your car. (With only liability, you have to pay for your own car yourself. With all-risk, you do not.)
Question 3: Your car is uninsured, are you allowed to park on the road?
Correct answer: No
An uninsured vehicle is not allowed to be on public roads. It is uninsured 🚫 and therefore prohibited to park.
Question 4: You are involved in an accident. You have no damage. Do you still have to disclose your identity?
Correct answer: Yes
You are in a collision. Maybe your car is still fine. But maybe the other car is damaged. Or someone is hurt. You should never just drive away. That is strictly prohibited. You must always stop and say who you are.
Question 5: When do you need to have your diesel car inspected for the first time?
Correct answer: After 3 years
Do you have a new car? And does it run on diesel? Then you need to go to the garage when the car is 3 years old. That is the first time. Note: After that first time, you need to come back every year. (For petrol cars, it's different; they only need to be inspected after 4 years).
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to questions that often come up on this subject.
Do you need to carry your insurance papers or APK report in the car?
No. The police check the insurance and the APK digitally. You must always carry your driving licence and vehicle registration card, though.
When does a new car need its first APK?
That depends on the fuel: a new petrol car needs its first inspection after 4 years, a new diesel car already after 3 years.
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