If you own a scooter in the Netherlands, it’s important to understand the different insurance options available. Dutch scooter insurance comes in three main levels of coverage: WA (Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid) which is liability-only, WA+ (Beperkt Casco) which offers limited coverage, and All Risk (Volledig Casco) which is the most comprehensive. In this post, we explain what all risk scooter insurance typically covers and how it compares to more basic options like WA and WA+.
Basic liability coverage (WA)
WA insurance is the mandatory minimum coverage required by law for all scooters and mopeds in the Netherlands. WA stands for “Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid,” meaning legal liability. This basic policy covers any damage or injury you cause to other people or property with your scooter. For example, if you accidentally hit someone’s car or cause an injury, your WA insurance will pay for those third-party damages.
However, WA insurance does not cover any damage to your own scooter. If you are in an accident and your scooter is damaged, or if your scooter is stolen or vandalized, a WA policy will not pay for your losses. You would have to cover your own repair or replacement costs. In summary, WA is only about protecting others from your liability – it won’t compensate you for your own scooter’s damage under any circumstances. Because of this limited protection, WA is the cheapest option, suitable for older or low-value scooters where you’re less concerned about the scooter’s own damage.
Limited casco coverage (WA+)
WA+ insurance, also known as Beperkt Casco or limited casco, builds on the basic WA coverage by adding protection for certain damages to your own scooter. With a WA+ policy, you still have the third-party liability coverage of WA (covering others’ damage you cause), plus coverage for a range of non-collision incidents that could happen to your scooter.
Under WA+ coverage, your scooter is typically insured against theft and attempted theft, meaning if someone steals your scooter or tries to steal it and causes damage, the insurance will compensate you. It also covers damage from fire (for instance, if your scooter catches fire or is damaged due to an engine fire or vandalism by arson) and certain weather-related incidents. Weather damage usually includes things like storm damage, such as heavy winds causing a tree branch to fall on your scooter or hail causing dents. (Insurers often define “storm” as winds above a certain strength; generally, common storm and hail damage is included in WA+ policies.)
In short, WA+ (limited casco) protects your scooter against external events beyond your control: theft, weather, fire, and sometimes other hazards like lightning or collisions with animals. It provides a broader safety net than basic WA. What WA+ does not cover, however, is any accidental damage you cause to your own scooter while riding. If you get into a crash or slide and it’s your fault (or no one else is at fault), a WA+ policy will not pay for your scooter’s repairs. For example, if you skid on a wet road and the scooter is damaged, or you collide with a wall, those repair costs come out of your own pocket under WA+. Additionally, intentional damage by others (pure vandalism) is usually not covered in a WA+ plan. WA+ is a popular middle-ground option for mid-value scooters or riders who want protection from theft and natural events but are willing to shoulder the risk of self-caused accident damage to their scooter.
All Risk coverage (Volledig Casco)
All Risk scooter insurance – in Dutch often called Volledig Casco – is the most comprehensive level of coverage you can choose. This type of policy includes everything covered by WA and WA+, and then adds coverage for almost all other types of damage to your own scooter. If you want the peace of mind that virtually any damage will be taken care of, All Risk is the option to consider.
With an All Risk policy, you are covered for accidental damage to your own scooter, even when an accident is your own fault. This is a crucial difference from the lower tiers. Any collision or mishap you have with your scooter is covered: for example, if you crash into a curb, slide on ice, or accidentally tip your scooter over and crack the fairing, an All Risk insurance will pay for your scooter’s repairs (minus any deductible you owe).
All Risk insurance also typically covers malicious damage or vandalism. That means if someone intentionally damages your scooter – for instance, knocks it over on purpose or scratches the paint – you can file a claim and the repairs would be paid under an All Risk policy. In addition, all the incidents covered by WA+ are included as well. So an All Risk plan will cover theft of your scooter, damage from fire, and weather-related damage (storm, hail, lightning, etc.), just like WA+ does. Essentially, All Risk covers “all risks”: whether the damage is caused by you, by someone else, or by nature or unforeseen events.
It’s important to note that while All Risk is very broad, it doesn’t mean literally every single thing is covered. Normal exclusions still apply – for example, routine mechanical breakdowns or wear-and-tear aren’t insured, and you must still adhere to the policy conditions (such as using an approved lock to prevent theft). But compared to WA and WA+, an All Risk policy offers the widest scope of protection for your scooter.
Comparing WA, WA+ and All Risk
To understand the differences clearly, here’s a comparison of what each type of scooter insurance covers and excludes:
- WA (Liability Only): Coverage: Damages or injuries you cause to other people or their property. Excludes: All damage to your own scooter. It does not cover theft of your scooter, fire damage, vandalism, or any accident damage to your scooter. (It solely protects others from your liability.)
- WA+ (Limited Casco): Coverage: Third-party liability (everything WA covers) plus damage to your scooter from certain external events like theft, fire, and weather-related incidents (e.g. storm or hail). Some policies also include things like damage from attempted theft or collisions with animals under this category. Excludes: Damage to your own scooter from accidents you cause (collision or crash damage where you’re at fault is not covered). Pure vandalism (intentional damage by others) is generally not covered in WA+ either. In other words, WA+ won’t pay for your scooter’s repairs if you crash it, but will cover losses if it’s stolen or affected by fire or weather.
- All Risk (Full Casco): Coverage: Everything in WA+, plus coverage for accidental damage to your own scooter in any situation, even if you are responsible. This includes collision damage, falls, and other riding mishaps. It also covers vandalism and malicious damage by others. Essentially, almost any sudden and unexpected damage to your scooter can be claimed with an All Risk policy. Excludes: Few exclusions aside from typical ones like mechanical wear or illegal use – All Risk is designed to cover virtually all risks, so it’s the most complete protection.
In terms of cost and choosing a plan, All Risk is the most expensive tier because it offers the broadest coverage. WA+ comes with a moderate premium, more than WA but cheaper than All Risk, reflecting its middle level of protection. WA, being basic liability only, is the cheapest. Insurers in the Netherlands often recommend All Risk coverage for new or high-value scooters, as well as for expensive electric models or scooters you rely on heavily. This is because the cost to repair or replace a valuable scooter after an accident or theft can be very high, and the comprehensive coverage gives peace of mind. On the other hand, for an older or low-value scooter that would be inexpensive to fix or replace, owners sometimes stick with WA or WA+ to save on insurance premiums.
Making the right choice
When deciding on scooter insurance, consider the value of your scooter and your risk tolerance. If your scooter is brand new or worth a lot of money, an All Risk policy will ensure you’re financially protected in almost any scenario, from a crash to theft or vandalism. The extra premium cost may be worth it to avoid large repair bills or loss of your investment. If your scooter is a few years old or of moderate value, a WA+ policy can be a good compromise – you’ll be covered for common risks like theft and weather damage, which are significant concerns, while paying a bit less than for full All Risk. For a very old scooter or one that isn’t worth much, you might opt for the basic WA insurance to fulfill legal requirements and keep costs low, accepting that you will cover any damage to your own scooter yourself if it occurs.
In summary, All Risk scooter insurance in the Dutch market provides the broadest protection, covering third-party liability as well as your own scooter’s damage in almost all cases (accidents, theft, vandalism, fire, weather, etc.). This is in contrast to the more basic WA coverage, which only protects against damage you cause to others, and WA+ coverage, which adds some protection for your scooter but still excludes self-caused accident damage. Understanding these differences will help you choose the insurance that best fits your needs, giving you the right balance between coverage and cost for your scooter. With the right policy in place, you can ride with greater peace of mind knowing you’re appropriately insured against the risks you care about.
