Which insurance covers renters properly?

In 2026, the Dutch rental market will be more complex than ever. With the rising value of personal belongings, from expensive e-bikes to high-end home workstations, and tightened liability rules, it's essential for renters to look beyond the rental contract alone. Many tenants assume that the landlord is responsible for everything that happens in or with the home. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The landlord only insures the shell of the building (the building), while the responsibility for the contents and daily risks lies entirely with the tenant.

Taking out the right insurances in 2026 is not only a matter of financial safety, but often also a contractual requirement of professional landlords and housing associations.

Household insurance: Protection of your property

The most important insurance for every tenant is household insurance. This covers damage to all loose items in your home that you would take with you when moving. In 2026, the “Allrisk” variant became the standard, as it also covers damage that you accidentally cause yourself.

• What's covered: Damage caused by fire, theft, leakage and storm to furniture, electronics, clothing and jewelry. In 2026, things such as solar panels (if you have installed them yourself) or a charging point for an electric car can often also be co-insured under the household policy.
• Tenant interest: This is a crucial part of household insurance for renters. It covers the improvements you have made to the home at your own expense, such as a new laminate floor, a modern kitchen or a luxurious wall finish. Should a fire break out, the landlord's home insurance will cover the standard floor, but your expensive herringbone parquet falls under the tenant's interest of your own household insurance.
• Out-of-door coverage: In 2026, many modern policies offer the option to insure items you often take outside, such as laptops and smartphones, against theft and damage worldwide.

Liability Insurance (AVP): Indispensable for renters

Although private liability insurance is not required by law, it is morally and financially irresponsible for a tenant to skip it in 2026. This is because a small accident can lead to huge claims from the landlord or neighbors.

Suppose your washing machine leaks and irreparably damages the expensive wooden floor of the neighbors below. Or you accidentally drop the deep fryer, causing scorch marks on the walls of the rental property. The landlord will recover the damage from you. The AVP covers the costs for damage to third parties or to the rented home, provided that there is no intent. For a premium of just a few euros per month, you are insured for amounts of up to 2.5 million euros.

Legal expenses insurance: Help with rental disputes

In 2026, disputes between tenants and landlords will be the order of the day, partly due to the complex legislation surrounding the Affordable Rent Act and the Good Landlord Act. Legal expenses insurance with the “Housing” module is therefore a wise investment.

• Maintenance conflicts: If the landlord refuses to solve a serious moisture problem or a faulty heater, the legal expenses insurer offers legal support to force the landlord to take action.
• Bail and rent increase: If the landlord incorrectly withholds the deposit upon departure or increases the rent that exceeds the legal maximum of 2026, you can count on the help of a specialized lawyer.
• Nuisance from neighbours: This insurance can also mediate or take legal action in the event of long-term conflicts with neighbours about noise pollution or inheritance boundaries.

Glass insurance: Often forgotten

Window damage is a grey area in many leases. Basically, the landlord is responsible for the windows, but in practice, the responsibility for glass breakage is almost always placed on the tenant via the service costs or the rental contract.

In 2026, many household insurances can be expanded to include a glass module. This covers the breakage of windows due to almost any cause (except intentional). Given the high costs of modern HR+++ glass, a simple ball through the window without insurance can quickly cost hundreds of euros. Always check your rental contract: if glass is not explicitly covered by the landlord, you must insure it yourself.

Additional covers for the modern tenant

The 2026 world requires specific coverages that did not exist ten years ago. Depending on your lifestyle, you may want to consider the following options:

• Cyber insurance: More and more bundled with household insurance to help with identity fraud, hacking of your smart home devices or online scams.
• E-bike insurance: If you store an expensive electric bike in the shared bicycle shed of your apartment complex, standard household coverage is often insufficient in the event of theft. Specific theft insurance for your bike is then essential.

How do you make the right choice?

The most important advice for renters in 2026 is to place all insurances with one insurer in a so-called “housing package”. This prevents insurers from pointing to each other in the event of damage (the familiar “box to the wall” situation). In addition, many insurers offer a package discount when you combine household, liability and legal expenses insurance.

Always read the fine print about the deductible before closing. In 2026, many tenants will opt for a higher deductible in exchange for a lower monthly premium, but make sure you have that buffer in your savings account in case something really happens. Good insurance gives you the peace of mind to enjoy your home, knowing that an accident won't immediately lead to a financial debacle.