Many young scooter owners in the Netherlands consider registering their scooter’s insurance under a parent’s name to save on costs. Youthful riders face steep insurance premiums, so putting the policy in mom or dad’s name can seem like a clever workaround. But is this practice legal or allowed by insurers? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore when insuring a scooter under a parent’s name is permitted, when it crosses into insurance fraud, the potential consequences (from rejected claims to hefty fines), and how young riders can legally get affordable coverage. We also include the latest (2025) insights and quotes from major Dutch insurers and consumer experts to back up the advice.
Why do people insure scooters in a parent’s name?
For teenagers and young adults, scooter insurance in the Netherlands can be extremely expensive. Insurance companies charge far higher premiums for 16–20 year-old riders than for older, more experienced riders. The reason is simple: younger scooterists statistically cause more accidents and costly claims.
“Claims statistics for young scooter riders are bad. They cause many more accidents and the costs of those accidents are often high,” explains Hans de Kok, director of comparison site Pricewise. As a result, “the difference between a premium for a younger and an older rider is a factor of five to six,” meaning a 16-year-old might pay 5–6 times more than a 50-year-old for the same coverage.
For example, a basic WA (liability) policy can cost around €55 per month for a 16-year-old, versus about €10 for an older adult. Comprehensive coverage can easily exceed €200/month for a teen rider. Faced with premiums that in some cases rival the value of the scooter itself, it’s no surprise that some families look for shortcuts.
One common idea is to register the scooter’s insurance under a parent’s name (who benefits from a lower risk profile) while the child does most of the riding. This practice – known as “fronting” – is seen as a way to bypass the high youth surcharge. In many households it’s practically a tradition for parents to handle the insurance until the child is older.
In fact, insuring a moped or scooter on the parents’ policy is fairly common up to age 18 in the Netherlands. But common doesn’t mean without risk. It’s crucial to understand the rules and pitfalls before choosing this route.
Is it legal to insure a scooter in a parent’s name?
Yes – but only under strict conditions. Dutch law requires that every motorized scooter (bromfiets or snorfiets) be insured for at least WA (Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid, i.e. liability) by the person in whose name the vehicle is registered. In principle, the kentekenhouder (registered owner) should be the one to insure it.
This means that if a parent’s name is on the scooter’s registration, that parent must take out an insurance policy in their own name. In such a case, there is nothing illegal about the parent being the policyholder – in fact it’s obligatory that the owner insures the scooter at least for WA coverage.
However, there’s an important caveat: the insurance company must be informed who the primary user (regular rider) of the scooter is. When a parent insures a scooter that their child will use, the insurer needs to know that a young driver will be operating the vehicle. Almost all Dutch insurers explicitly ask for the “hoofdbestuurder” when you apply for a scooter policy.
The age and experience of that main rider will be factored into the premium – often raising it. As long as the parent is the registered owner and the insurer is told that the child is (one of) the riders, this arrangement is generally permitted.
In fact, if your teenager is under 18 and thus not legally an adult, having the scooter and insurance in the parent’s name is not only allowed but quite normal (with the young rider listed on the policy). Some insurers even require that minors have a parent or guardian as the policyholder.
If the parent is the main rider of the scooter, there’s absolutely no issue. The key is that the policy information matches reality. Problems only arise if the parent is listed as the main user when in truth the child is the one riding daily.
Insurance fraud: when does a parent-name policy cross the line?
The trouble comes when parents do not disclose that their child is the primary rider. If a scooter is mainly used by the child but insured under a parent’s name without listing the child as regular driver, insurers consider this misrepresentation as insurance fraud.
It might be tempting to omit the young driver to get a cheaper premium, but doing so violates the duty to provide honest information. Providing incorrect or incomplete info can have serious consequences.
In the eyes of insurers, a parent claiming to be the main rider while the teen is actually using the scooter is effectively fraud. The logic is that a lower premium was charged based on a false representation of risk.
“If it turns out that at application not the right information was provided (and thus a lower premium was paid), the insurer can deem it fraud,” explains one Dutch insurer’s guidance.
The consumer program Radar bluntly states: if a parent insures a scooter in their name to dodge the young-driver premium, “both the child and the scooter are [effectively] not insured, even though you’re paying premium – you’re a thief of your own wallet.”
There isn’t a specific law banning “insurance in parent’s name,” but general fraud statutes and contract law principles apply. That gives the insurer the right to void the contract or impose penalties.
Consequences of fronting (insurance fraud) for scooter insurance
Trying to game the system by insuring a scooter under a parent’s name without declaring the actual young rider can backfire badly. Here are the main consequences you risk:
Claims denied or not fully paid: If the young rider has an accident or the scooter is stolen, the insurer may refuse to pay. Some insurers might cover a third-party claim but later bill the policyholder for the damages.
Hefty deductibles: If an undeclared young driver causes damage, many insurers impose extra deductibles – often €1,000–€3,000 per incident. That surprise bill can wipe out any savings.
Policy cancellation: The insurer can void the insurance contract. Once canceled, it may be registered as “opgezegd door verzekeraar,” making future insurance much harder.
Fraud blacklisting: Confirmed fraud cases are registered in the Centraal Informatie Systeem (CIS). This blacklisting can last 8 years, preventing access to normal insurance options.
Skyrocketing premiums: If you’re blacklisted, you may be forced into high-risk insurance (via de Vereende), where premiums are often 10× higher than normal.
Legal liability: If the insurer cancels your coverage and someone is injured or property damaged, you (or your parents) might have to pay the full cost – possibly tens of thousands of euros.
Pros and cons of insuring a scooter on a parent’s name
Pros:
- Short-term savings: Cheaper premiums if no young rider is listed.
- Insurance possible for minors: Some insurers won’t allow under-18s to be policyholders.
- Parent’s liability covered: If the parent is actually riding the scooter, coverage is appropriate.
- No-claim benefits: The parent might build a discount if no claims occur.
Cons:
- Coverage may be invalid: If the real rider isn’t disclosed, you’re effectively uninsured.
- Fraud risk: Leading to blacklisting, fines, denied claims, or criminal charges.
- Financial liability: You could be personally responsible for huge accident costs.
- No personal no-claim build-up: The child can’t accumulate their own insurance history.
- Premium still high: Listing the child as a user means the premium goes up anyway.
- Claim complications: The parent has to handle everything, even if the child caused the damage.
Latest 2025 updates and industry stance
As of 2025, Dutch insurers remain strict. MoneyView’s 2024 analysis found that all insurers penalize undeclared young riders with increased deductibles or zero coverage. Some insurers have completely shut the door on coverage if a different driver than declared is using the scooter.
Media outlets like Radar, and regulatory bodies like Kifid, continue to warn against the practice. The industry shares fraud information widely, meaning dishonesty with one insurer affects your standing with others.
On the upside, a few insurers now allow 16- or 17-year-olds to be policyholders (with parental permission), helping them build no-claim discounts earlier. Some also offer youth-friendly policies with adjusted benefits, particularly for electric scooters.
Tips for young riders to get affordable insurance legally
- Be honest: Always list the real primary rider.
- Register the scooter correctly: If the child owns it, put it in their name as soon as legally allowed.
- Start building no-claim early: Get a personal policy as soon as possible to begin accumulating discounts.
- Compare providers: Prices can vary dramatically – use comparison sites and shop around.
- Adjust coverage: Consider WA or WA+ instead of full All-Risk. Raise your deductible to lower the premium.
- Take safety measures: Use good locks and safe parking. Ask insurers about security discounts.
- Bundle policies: If your family uses one insurer for multiple products, ask about pakketkorting.
- Stay claim-free: For minor damage, consider paying out of pocket to preserve your no-claim status.
- Switch to your own policy at 18: Take control of your insurance record and start building your own history.
Conclusion
In the Netherlands, registering a scooter’s insurance under a parent’s name is not a magical solution for high youth premiums – unless it’s done according to the rules. Listing a parent as the main user while the child is the actual rider is insurance fraud and comes with serious consequences: denied claims, canceled policies, fraud records, and personal financial liability.
The safer, smarter move is to find legal ways to reduce premiums and start building your own no-claim discount early. It might cost more up front, but it protects you in case of an accident and pays off in the long run. As Kifid put it: just because “many others” bend the rules doesn’t mean you should too.
Play it straight. Stay insured the right way. Your future self will thank you.
