DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

29 May 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search
Partner content

It’ll be Ciao Vespa for young moped drivers as premiums mount

July 28, 2023
Photo: Dutch News

Age and where you live have a major impact on insurance premiums if you are a moped driver. So how do you get the best deal?

The impact of factors like age can lead to a whopping €6,500 difference in premiums, an investigation by the comparison site scooterverzekering.nl among three big insurers showed.

There are some 1.2 million mopeds and speed-restricted snorfietsen in the Netherlands, all of which need, by law, to be insured against damage done by their drivers to other people. But, says insurance expert Koen Kuijper, the statistics are particularly stacked against young people who are hard put to pay even the most basic insurance.

For example, a Piaggio Vespa from 2022 is worth some €4,000 and would cost a 16-year-old around €166 a month, while an 18-year-old would pay €95. Fast forward to a 70-year-old and the premium falls to a mere €24.

All-risk insurance, which would also cover theft and damage to the moped through a driver’s own fault, would set the 16-year-old back €625 a month compared to “just” €82 for the elderly driver.

Accidents

“The differences in premium prices are also based on the fact that young moped drivers are much more often involved in accidents resulting in damage,” Kuijper said.

It also matters where the moped owner lives. The investigation showed that the premium paid by a Rotterdammer will be an average of 65% higher than that of a fellow moped owner in the small town of Zevenbergen.

In Rotterdam, all-risk moped insurance would cost the Piaggio Vespa owner an average of €2,400 a year, or almost half of what her machine is worth. In Zevenbergen, the same policy would cost no more than €1,475.

In the big cities moped drivers have to deal with cars, bikes and pedestrians as well as navigate more complex traffic situations, including intersections, traffic lights and roundabouts. “And all that adds up to a higher number of accidents and big premiums,” Kuijper explained.

Theft

“Figure in the higher number of moped thefts and premiums inch up even more,” he said. A total of 14,815 mopeds were stolen in 2022, according to figures from statistics agency CBS. Over half the thefts took place in the provinces of Utrecht, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland with the city of Rotterdam topping the list with 2,235.

While some youngsters might be tempted to put their insurance in their parents’ name to reduce the costs, it is a strategy that may not end well, Kuijper said. “It could lead to higher payments in case of an accident, loss of damage-free years, or even an accusation of insurance fraud,” he warned.

Taking a moped on the road without any insurance at all is even less of an alternative. Not only is it against the law but driving without any insurance can have significant financial implications in the event of an accident, especially if the young driver is at fault.

Exclusions

What any driver of mopeds needs to look out for are coverages and exclusions, which can vary with each insurance, Kuijper said. “Some plans come with a specific deductible (own risk), which is the amount you have to pay out of pocket before the insurance kicks in. The deductible amount can vary depending on the driver’s age.

Insurers may also offer extra benefits like roadside assistance, passenger insurance or replacement of your moped if it’s totaled. It is important to be aware of these extras because they could be a deciding factor.”

Kuijper said he hoped the investigation will clarify premium differences and contribute to honesty and transparency in the insurance market.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Accidents Insurance
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Small investors sell more homes, rental property supply shrinks
Cracks grow in coalition as Faber clashes with party leaders
Lily growers face restrictions after doctor's pesticide petition
Rain and strong sunshine ahead for the holiday weekend
MPs vote against university degree course language check
NewsHomeEconomyArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now