The war in Ukraine is still ongoing. To help the Ukrainian people, there are also (private) initiatives from the Netherlands for sending relief supplies. As a rule, these transports can be insured 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 cover for damage to the vehicle and its cargo. Personal risks for drivers and supervisors are also usually not insured. More information can be found per 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 the support of 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. A 'hit' must also be reported to the regulator.
Dutch insurers comply with sanctions drawn up by the EU. Sanctions are coercive instruments, which are 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 booking a trip, always check the reisadviezen van het ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken. 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, contact your insurer.
The colour code of the travel advice of the Dutch government is 'red' for all 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 sometimes does not cover damage you incur if you choose to travel anyway. Stricter travel advice has also been issued for countries bordering Ukraine and Russia. Be well prepared for your trip: check your policy conditions or contact your own insurer.
Ukrainian refugees who are hosted by a family in the Netherlands are usually co-insured (for a certain period) 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 Nederlands Bureau Motorrijtuigverzekeraars 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 arranges the third-party damage caused by a Ukrainian vehicle and advances the damage. As a condition, 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 then reimburses the representative.
If the Ukrainian third-party insurer cannot repay, or in extreme cases is bankrupt, the Dutch Motor Insurers Bureau is the guarantor.
If no correspondent has been appointed, the Dutch Bureau settles the third-party damage and advances the damage. However, it must be demonstrated that there is a valid green card. The Dutch Bureau then 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 Dutch Bureau. The injured party is not inconvenienced by this.
In the hectic climate, it can happen that the insurance check at a border crossing has been omitted and an uninsured car drives on to the Netherlands. In that case, the Guarantee Fund is responsible for compensation 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 in Ukraine is damaged. In that case, the settlement of the claim with the injured party will be initiated, provided that a valid green card is present.
The risk that a company runs if it supplies products or services to debtors based in Ukraine who only have to pay after delivery ('trade credit') has increased further due to the war. Reconsider the risk and take any necessary measures. For example, by making new deliveries on the basis of advance payment or by obtaining additional guarantees. The coverage that credit insurers offer to suppliers may be adjusted as a result of the war. Both in terms of available coverage capacity and in terms of premium and conditions.
The transport sector is also affected by Russia's invasion of 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 afgesloten gebied seagoing vessels. The oorlogsclausule (M3) that is common in goods transport insurance still (M3) applies and usually has consequences for the coverage.
Cyber insurance does not specifically focus on threats from a country or region and therefore does not usually have any specific exclusion(s). However, 'war' can in some cases be included as exclusion. If you have any doubts or questions, contact your insurer.
The Nationaal Coördinator Terrorismebestrijding en Veiligheid (NCTV) takes into account that Nederland getroffen kan worden door de oorlog in Oekraïne. 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 website of the Digital Trust Center (DTC).
With 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 no or a lower payment will be made 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, contact your insurer.
A een speciale regeling applies to Dutch soldiers who are sent on a peace or humanitarian mission.
A non-life insurer (with its registered office in the Netherlands) may not insure claims caused by or arising from an armed conflict, civil war, insurrection, internal disturbance, riot or mutiny occurring in the Netherlands. This ban applies to insurers that are under Dutch supervision. Branches of foreign parties can therefore offer cover for their Dutch customers against forms of molestation.
A legal exception has been made for mutual insurers. The ban does not apply to those insurers. Specifically, this concerns mutual insurance companies with their registered office in the Netherlands, and companies on a mutual basis with their registered office outside the Netherlands. The latter may only insure damage that can be caused or caused by armed conflict, civil war, insurrection, internal disturbance, riots and mutiny.
In marine, transport, aviation and travel insurance, it is also 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 because of the accumulation risk and the potential to jeopardise the financial stability of insurers. Some forms are therefore wettelijk geregeld.
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