General liability insurance (AVB)
What general liability insurance covers, when you actually need it, exclusions, cost, and how it differs from professional liability (BAV).
General liability insurance — AVB (bedrijfsaansprakelijkheidsverzekering) — covers physical injury and property damage. You spill coffee on a client's laptop at their office. Your delivery hits a pedestrian's car. A client trips on your equipment and breaks an arm. AVB pays the medical bills, the repair costs, or the settlement. Here's when you need it and what to expect.
What AVB covers
AVB protects you against claims for:
- Bodily injury to a third party caused by you or your work
- Property damage to a third party's belongings caused by you or your work
- Legal defense costs if you're sued
Example claims:
- You're on-site at a client's office and spill coffee on their computer (€2,000 repair)
- Your van causes a minor collision; the other car needs €5,000 in repairs
- A client trips over your equipment and breaks a leg; medical bills come to €8,000
- Your contractor damages the client's existing structure while installing something new
AVB is not about financial loss from your professional mistake (that's BAV). It's about physical damage.
The cover applies to you, your employees, and sometimes your subcontractors
If you're a solo freelancer, you're covered. If you hire someone part-time or bring in a subcontractor, they may be covered under your policy (but check). This matters when someone else is working on your behalf.
Who needs AVB
You definitely need it if:
- You work on-site at client premises (higher risk of accident)
- You handle or deliver physical goods
- You operate equipment that could damage property
- You're a tradesperson (plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc.)
- You work in events, production, or on-location services
- Your contract requires it (many larger clients do)
You probably don't need it if:
- You work purely digitally (no on-site work, no physical delivery)
- You work from a home office with no client visits
- You're a writer, translator, or digital consultant
If you're uncertain, check your client contracts. Many large companies insist on a minimum AVB cover (e.g., €1 million) before you start work.
Cost and coverage levels
A typical AVB premium runs €40–150 per month, depending on:
- Your profession. Tradespersons pay more than digital consultants. On-site work costs more than remote work.
- Your annual turnover. Higher revenue = higher potential claim = higher premium.
- Your claims history. A clean record lowers your premium.
- Your cover level. Common levels are €250,000, €500,000, or €1 million per claim.
Most freelancers working on-site opt for €500,000 or €1 million per claim. If you work purely remotely, €250,000 is often adequate.
Like all business insurance, the premium is fully deductible as a professional cost.
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Try it freeAVB vs BAV: the key difference
- AVB (general liability) = physical injury or property damage
- BAV (professional liability) = financial loss from your professional mistake
Real-world example: You're a freelance photographer at a corporate event. A guest trips over your light stand and breaks an arm (AVB covers the medical costs). Later, the company claims your photos were poor quality and caused reputational damage (BAV — if you had it — might cover that financial loss). You might need both.
A tradesperson usually needs AVB more than BAV. A consultant usually needs BAV more than AVB. Many professionals need both.
Common exclusions and limits
Check your policy for:
- Intentional damage. AVB doesn't cover damage you caused on purpose (only accidents).
- Professional errors. If your mistake caused the damage, it might fall under BAV, not AVB.
- Certain high-risk professions. Some insurers won't cover or charge extra for particularly hazardous work.
- Work abroad. Many policies only cover accidents in the Netherlands. If you work across the EU, ask.
- Employee negligence. Your staff's negligence is usually covered, but check the wording.
A typical policy also has an excess (your share if something happens). Common excess levels are €250 or €500. You pay that first; the insurer covers the rest.
How to get AVB
- Use an insurance broker. Brokers specialise by profession and can match you quickly. Search "[your profession] + insurance broker" for options.
- Get an online quote. Sites like insurancedirect.nl, lemixy.nl, or nibud.nl offer instant quotes for common professions.
- Ask about bundling. If you get AVB and BAV from the same insurer, you often get a discount (10–15%).
- Check the fine print:
- What counts as an accident?
- Is there a limit per claim and per year?
- Does the policy cover you if you work abroad?
- Renew annually. Tell your insurer if your risk profile changes (new services, more on-site work, higher turnover).
Real-world scenario
You're a freelance electrician. While installing a new circuit at a client's office, you accidentally drill through an existing pipe hidden in the wall. The water damage costs €15,000 to repair and leaves the client's office unusable for a week (lost income). AVB covers the repair and the settlement for business interruption. Without it, you'd be personally liable for the full amount.
That's why AVB exists: to protect you from a one-off accident that could bankrupt you.
Does AVB cover damage I cause to my own equipment?
Is AVB compulsory?
What if I'm sued after my policy expires?
AVB is uncomplicated insurance. You get it, you hope you never need it, and if something goes wrong, it's there. For any freelancer who works on-site, delivers physical goods, or operates equipment, it's a small cost that guards against a huge liability. Check your client contracts, get a quote, and if your work carries physical risk, get covered. ZZP Belasting helps you build a stable, growing business; solid insurance keeps that growth from being wiped out in one accident.