The war in Ukraine is still ongoing. To help the Ukrainian people, there are also (private) initiatives from the Netherlands to send relief supplies. As a rule, these transports are insurable up to the border, but Ukraine itself is still considered a war zone. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a negative travel advice (code red). Based on this advice, Dutch insurers do not offer coverage for damage to the vehicle and its cargo. Personal risks for drivers and escorts are also usually not insured. More information can be found for each type of risk/insurance on this theme page.
Companies and especially financial institutions, including insurers, must be and remain extra alert to (additions to) the sanctions lists in connection with the war between Ukraine and Russia.
For example, according to the Dutch Sanctions Legislation, it is 'prohibited to contribute to supporting an activity or transaction of a person, entity or country on the sanctions lists'. There are high fines for non-compliance with sanctions legislation.
It is important for insurers to check whether the persons involved (e.g. the policyholder, the beneficiary or the ultimate beneficial owner) are on a sanctions list, both when taking out the insurance and during the term and before the payment. These rules also apply to other business relationships, such as bodyshops or the catering company in the office. In such a case, no business relationship may be entered into, such as taking out insurance. It is also not allowed to pay or pay out. A 'hit' must also be reported to the regulator.
Dutch insurers comply with sanctions drawn up by the EU. Sanctions are coercive instruments, used, for example, in response to violations of international law. In this case, because of the war in Ukraine.
The situation in a country can change quickly. Before you book a trip, always check the travel advice of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These are leading for travel insurers and have consequences for the coverage of your travel and cancellation insurance. Damage caused by war is usually not insured on your travel or cancellation insurance. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact your insurer.
The colour code of the Dutch government's travel advice is 'red' for the whole of Ukraine. That means it's too dangerous to travel to. The government has advised not to travel there under any circumstances and has made it clear that they cannot help. If the travel advice is red, your travel insurance may not cover damage that you incur if you choose to travel anyway. Stricter travel advice has also been issued for Ukraine and Russia countries bordering Ukraine. Be well prepared for your trip: check your policy conditions or contact your own insurer.
Are you in Ukraine at the moment? Then register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This way, they know you are in the country and you stay up to date with the latest information.
If you prefer not to make a trip any more, this is usually not covered by your cancellation insurance. Contact your travel agency, tour operator or transport company to discuss the possibilities. You always have the right to cancel the trip, but keep in mind that you are obliged to pay (part of) the travel sum.
Ukrainian refugees who are hosted by a family in the Netherlands are usually co-insured (for a certain period of time) on the home contents, building and liability insurance of the host family. Always contact your insurer to report that you are taking refugees into your home. The insurer can then provide you with more information.
The Dutch Bureau of Motor Insurers reports that there are consequences now that several Russian banks have been excluded from SWIFT:
The consequences of other situations are unknown. The Association therefore advises not to drive to/through Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.
The Ukrainian third-party insurer has appointed a representative (correspondent) in the Netherlands. This will arrange the third-party damage caused by a Ukrainian vehicle and advance the damage. As a prerequisite, the Ukrainian third-party insurer must confirm that a green card has been issued and that it is valid on the date of the claim. The Ukrainian third-party insurer will then reimburse the representative.
If the Ukrainian third-party insurer is unable to repay, or in extreme cases is bankrupt, the Dutch Motor Insurers Bureau will act as guarantor.
If no correspondent has been appointed, the Dutch Bureau will settle the third-party damage and advance the damage. However, it must be demonstrated that there is a valid green card. Subsequently, the Dutch Bureau recovers the damage from the Ukrainian Bureau. If the latter agency is (temporarily) unable to repay due to the situation, this is at the risk of the Netherlands Office. The injured party is not inconvenienced by this.
In the hustle and bustle, it can happen that the insurance check at a border crossing is omitted and an uninsured car drives on to the Netherlands. In that case, the Guarantee Fund is responsible for reimbursement to the injured party. They then recover this from the uninsured perpetrator (and not from the Ukrainian Bureau).
It is possible that a Dutch vehicle is damaged in Ukraine. In that case, the claim settlement with the injured party will be initiated, under the condition that a valid green card is present.
The risk that a company runs if it supplies products or services to debtors who are based in Ukraine and only have to pay after delivery ('trade credit') has increased further due to the war. Reconsider the risk and take any necessary action. For example, by making new deliveries on the basis of prepayment or by obtaining additional guarantees. This is because the coverage that credit insurers offer to suppliers can be adjusted as a result of the war. Both in terms of available coverage capacity and in terms of premiums and conditions.
The transport sector is also affected by the invasion of Russia in Ukraine and the closure of airspace, waterways and borders. Security officers of shipping companies receive direct signals from the coast guard from the ministry about additional measures. Ukraine is closed to seagoing vessels. The war clause (M3) that is customary in goods transport insurance still applies and usually has consequences for the coverage.
Cyber insurance does not specifically focus on threats from a country or region and therefore generally does not have any specific exclusion(s). However, in some cases, 'war' can be included as an exclusion. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact your insurer.
The National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV) takes into account that the Netherlands may be affected by the war in Ukraine. The NCTV is thinking, for example, of cyber attacks that can affect communication systems of banks, hospitals, energy infrastructure or other vital systems. Other useful prevention tips can be found on the Digital Trust Center (DTC) website.
In the case of life and disability insurance, death during a stay in a war zone, or as a result of acts of war, may not be insured. In the case of pension insurance, it is also possible that in such a case there will be no or a lower payment in the event of death.
The policy conditions of your life insurance, disability insurance or pension scheme/regulations state in which situations no payment will be made. If you have any doubts or questions, please contact your insurer.
A special arrangement applies to Dutch military personnel who are deployed on a peacekeeping or humanitarian mission.
A non-life insurer (with its registered office in the Netherlands) may not insure damage caused by or arising from an armed conflict, civil war, insurrection, internal disturbance, riot or mutiny that occurs in the Netherlands. This prohibition applies to insurers that are subject to Dutch supervision. Branches of foreign parties can therefore provide cover against forms of molestation for their Dutch customers.
A statutory exception has been made for mutual insurers. The ban does not apply to those insurers. Specifically, it concerns mutual insurance companies with registered offices in the Netherlands, and companies on a mutual basis with registered offices outside the Netherlands. The latter may only insure damage that may be caused or caused by an armed conflict, civil war, insurrection, internal disturbance, riot and mutiny.
Also in marine, transport, aviation and travel insurance, it is allowed to insure molestation risks with the generally customary molestation clauses. This is allowed as long as the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) has no reservations.
Acts of violence are large-scale man-made violent calamities. War and other large-scale calamities are often excluded from coverage due to the cumulative risk and the potential to jeopardise the financial stability of insurers. Some forms are therefore regulated by law.
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