Insuring your equipment, stock and workspace

Your laptop, tools, stock and workspace are the backbone of your freelance business. Lose them to theft, fire or flood and you're out of pocket—and out of work. Contents and goods insurance (inventarisverzekering) protects these assets, but many freelancers make the mistake of assuming their home insurance covers business equipment. It often doesn't. This guide explains what you really need to cover your gear.

What does contents and goods insurance cover?#

Dutch business insurance comes in three overlapping flavours, and you need to understand the distinction:

For most home-based freelancers, the issue is simple: your household contents policy will not cover business equipment. Many policies explicitly exclude:

• Goods held for business sale or processing
• Equipment used professionally
• Anything in a dedicated workspace

If you work from home and have a laptop, camera, tools or materials, a standard home contents policy likely leaves you exposed.

Do you need it?#

That depends on what you do:

You likely need contents/goods insurance if:#

• You have expensive equipment (computers, machinery, cameras, tools worth more than a few hundred euros)
• You hold stock or materials for resale or processing
• You work in a dedicated home office or workspace
• You travel with valuable gear
• You work from a rented studio, workshop or shared space

You might skip it if:#

• You're a pure service provider (consulting, writing, coaching) with no physical assets
• All your equipment is cheap (phone, basic office supplies) and you can replace it easily
• You qualify for cover under your landlord's business contents policy (ask directly)

The cost and what's deductible#

Contents and goods insurance for freelancers typically costs between €200 and €800 per year, depending on:

• Total value of insured assets: The higher your declared inventory, the higher the premium
• Type of goods: Electronics, jewellery and high-value items cost more to cover
• Claims history: A claim in your past will raise the rate
• Excess (own risk): Choosing a higher excess (€250–€500) lowers your premium
• Location: Working from a secure home office is cheaper than a street-level workshop

The good news: the entire premium is deductible as a business cost. You claim it under zakelijke kosten (business expenses) in your income tax return.

Why home contents insurance usually doesn't cover your business#

Home insurance is designed to protect personal possessions, not business operations. The insurer's logic is simple: if you're using something to earn money, it's a business asset, not a household good, and it belongs on a business policy.

Common rejection reasons:

• "Business use exclusion": The policy explicitly excludes anything used for business
• "Stock clause": Goods held for resale are excluded
• "Professional use": Equipment used in a profession (e.g., a hairdresser's tools, a designer's camera) is out of scope

Some home policies will cover your personal items while you happen to be using them at work, but not the dedicated equipment. Always check your policy documents or call your insurer directly. Do not assume.

What to insure and how much#

When you buy contents or goods insurance, you'll need to list and value your assets:

• Make an inventory: cameras, laptops, printers, furniture, tools, machinery, raw materials
• Get current replacement values—not what you paid five years ago
• Include stock if you hold it for resale or production
• Remember to add new purchases during the year (update the insurer)
• Be honest about the value: underinsuring means underpaying claims; overinsuring wastes money
• Take photos and store receipts as proof of ownership

The insurer will ask: "What is the maximum value of all your covered goods at any one time?" Be realistic. If you say €50,000 and you only own €10,000 of gear, you're paying for cover you'll never use. Conversely, if your equipment is worth €40,000 and you declare €10,000, any claim will be rejected or significantly reduced (underinsurance penalty).

Common exclusions and limits#

Read the small print. Most policies exclude:

• Wear and tear, depreciation: If your laptop breaks because it's old, not because of theft or fire, you're not covered
• Accidental damage (unless you pay extra): A spilled coffee or a fall from a shelf may not be covered—some policies offer this as an add-on
• Theft from an unattended vehicle: Leaving your gear in the car overnight is often excluded; overnight theft from a parked van is too
• Business interruption: A separate bedrijfsschadeverzekering covers lost income while you cannot work; ordinary contents insurance does not

Also check:

• Excess: What do you pay out of pocket per claim?
• Single-item limits: Some policies cap the payout for one item (e.g., max €2,000 for one laptop)
• Sub-limits for specific categories: Jewellery, cash, electronic equipment often have lower limits

Alternatives and considerations#

Leasing instead of buying#

If you lease or rent expensive equipment (printer, machinery) from a supplier, the lessor often insures it. Clarify who bears the risk—you may not need separate coverage for leased items.

A zaakschadeverzekering wrap#

If you rent a dedicated workspace (studio, workshop, shop), ask the landlord or building manager whether you can add zaakschadeverzekering to your lease. This is a comprehensive business property policy covering the building, your contents and your stock. It's often cheaper than buying multiple policies separately because the insurer can optimize the total risk.

Separate transit or travel insurance#

If you transport valuable equipment regularly (e.g., a photographer with cameras, a tradesperson with tools), standard contents insurance may exclude goods in transit. Some insurers offer an "in transit" extension or a separate goods-in-transit policy for an extra premium.

Claiming and the aftermath#

When you have a claim (theft, fire, water damage):

1. Report immediately: Call your insurer and the police (for theft). Get a reference number.
2. Preserve evidence: Do not clean up until the insurer inspects (if required).
3. Provide proof: Receipts, photos, serial numbers of stolen items.
4. Know your excess: You pay this before the insurer pays the rest.
5. Keep records: For tax purposes, document the claim, payout, and any equipment you replace—it affects your deductible costs and profit.

One note on Belastingdienst claims: If you lose gear to theft or damage and the insurer pays out, that payout is not taxable income. However, if the item was depreciated (afgeschreven), you may have a gain or loss depending on the book value vs. the payout. Keep your accountant in the loop.

Frequently asked questions#

Equipment is easy to take for granted until it is gone. Contents and goods insurance is affordable and fully deductible—a simple way to avoid a catastrophic loss. If you own meaningful business assets, it is not optional. Get a quote, check what's excluded, and make sure your workspace is properly covered. Then you can focus on your work instead of worrying about what happens if theft or disaster strikes.

For a structured overview of all the insurance a freelancer might need—and which ones are truly essential—read Which insurances do you really need?.

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