Travel Insurance Refuses Claim — Your Rights in Netherlands

Having your travel insurance claim refused is frustrating, especially after an unpleasant holiday experience. Insurance companies in the Netherlands often refuse payouts based on small print or unclear policy terms. Fortunately, as a consumer under Dutch law, you have strong rights and there are concrete steps you can take to still get your money.

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What's happening?

Travel insurers in the Netherlands refuse claims for various reasons: late notification, insufficient evidence, policy exclusions, or medical reasons they claim were already known. Sometimes this is justified, but often it's wrongful due to incorrect interpretation of terms. Insurance companies sometimes try to save costs by rejecting claims, hoping consumers will give up. This particularly occurs with expensive claims like medical costs abroad or cancelled trips.

What does Dutch law say?

Dutch legislation protects consumers against wrongful insurance claim refusals. The Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht - Wft) and the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek) set clear rules for insurance companies. European regulations also provide protection for travel within the EU. Insurers must be transparent about their decisions and cannot arbitrarily refuse claims.

1Article 7:958 BW (Dutch Civil Code): Insurer must pay within reasonable time after damage notification

2Article 6:233 BW (Dutch Civil Code): Unclear policy terms are interpreted in favour of the consumer

3Wft Article 4:24: Insurer must clearly justify why a claim is refused

What are your rights?

As a consumer in the Netherlands, you have various rights when your travel insurance refuses a claim. These rights are legally protected under Dutch law and give you concrete possibilities to stand up for your interests.

1Right to reasoned refusal: The insurer must explain in writing why your claim is refused

2Right to objection: You can object to the decision within the set timeframe

3Right to inspection: You may view all documents the insurer used in their assessment

4Right to independent dispute resolution: In case of continued disagreement, you can go to the complaints committee

What can you do now?

Follow these concrete steps to still get your claim compensated:

1Request a written, reasoned refusal and gather all your documents (receipts, photos, medical statements)

2Submit a formal objection to the insurer within the deadline (usually 3 months) with new arguments

3If the objection is rejected, go to the Financial Services Complaints Institute (Klachteninstituut Financiële Dienstverlening - KiFiD)

4Consider legal assistance if it involves a large amount or the case is complicated

Sample letter or template

MijnRecht.AI can help you draft a professional objection letter that includes all relevant arguments and Dutch legal articles. Our AI tool ensures your letter is legally correct and contains all necessary elements to maximise your chances of success.

Where can you get help?

For problems with your travel insurance in the Netherlands, you can contact: The Legal Counter (Juridisch Loket) for free initial advice, the Financial Services Complaints Institute (KiFiD) for dispute resolution, the Financial Markets Authority (Autoriteit Financiële Markten - AFM) for complaints about insurer behaviour, and ultimately the Dutch courts through a minor claims procedure (kantonprocedure).

Conclusion

A refused travel insurance claim is not the end of the road - you have strong rights under Dutch law and concrete possibilities to still get your money. With the right approach and documentation, you can force insurance companies to reconsider their decision. Don't give up and make use of the available tools to enforce your rights as an expat in the Netherlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Within what timeframe must I object to a refused claim?

Can my travel insurance come up with new reasons afterwards for not paying out?

What if I no longer have original receipts for my damage?

Does a procedure at KiFiD cost me money?

Can I still claim if I reported the damage too late?

What if my travel insurance goes bankrupt during my claim?

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