Onderlinge Verzekering Maatschappij ZLM U.A.
ZLM
ZLM is a motor third-party liability insurance for the Netherlands market with online purchase and limited assistance availability.
Direct payment
Since 1 July 2021, the national Direct Claims Settlement (Directe Schadeafhandeling) scheme applies to material damage on WA-insured private passenger cars, meaning ZLM assesses liability and settles directly rather than the policyholder having to recover damage themselves; the policyholder can still choose to claim directly from the at-fault party, if needed with help from Stichting Rechtsbijstand ZLM.
Geographic scope
Nationwide in the Netherlands; ZLM historically focuses on Zeeland and Noord-Brabant and may end the policy if the policyholder moves to another province
Valid in the countries listed on the international insurance certificate (green card), issued annually
Unique selling points
- The WA liability cover has no deductible at all for covered claims.
- Recovery assistance (verhaalsbijstand) via the independent Stichting Rechtsbijstand ZLM is included as standard, helping policyholders recover costs from the at-fault party.
- Young drivers who complete ZLM's GRIP training receive two extra no-claim discount steps, saving up to 23% on their premium.
- Fully electric cars stranded due to an empty battery are also assisted under the accident-related recovery and transport service.
Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability
€6,450,000
Compensation for personal injury caused to others with the insured car, up to a maximum of €6,450,000 per event.
Property/material damage liability
€2,500,000
Compensation for material damage caused to others with the insured car, up to a maximum of €2,500,000 per event.
Legal defence costs
Covered
If the insured is criminally prosecuted in relation to a covered event, ZLM arranges and pays for a lawyer; fines, settlement sums and court costs are not covered.
Green card / international insurance certificate
Covered
The policy is valid in the countries listed on the international insurance certificate (green card), which is renewed and sent annually; each country applies its own legal rules for liability insurance.
Recovery and transport assistance after an accident
Covered
If the car can no longer be driven after a covered event, or the driver/passengers cannot drive it, ZLM arranges and pays for recovery and transport of the car, driver and passengers, both in the Netherlands and abroad; fully electric cars are also assisted if stranded due to an empty battery. This assistance does not cover breakdowns caused by mechanical or electronic failure (pechhulp), which is only included under the allrisk product.
Driver's own accident/injury cover
Excluded
Injury to the driver is explicitly excluded from the WA liability cover; a separate Schadeverzekering Inzittenden (SVI/occupant insurance) product is needed for fault-independent driver injury cover.
Passenger injury cover (within liability limit)
Covered
Passengers seated normally in the car are named insured parties, and their clothing and hand luggage are covered; injury to a passenger caused by the insured driver's fault is compensated within the bodily injury liability limit (up to €6,450,000 per event). This is fault-based liability cover, not a fault-independent accident benefit; a separate SVI product covers occupants regardless of fault.
Key conditions
Territorial scope
The policy covers the countries listed on the international insurance certificate (green card), which ZLM issues and renews annually.
Green card rules
Each country applies its own legal rules for liability insurance; ZLM provides a new international insurance certificate every year.
Driver restrictions
There is no cover if the driver has no valid driving licence, is disqualified from driving by court order or licence confiscation, drives under the influence of alcohol/drugs beyond legal limits or refuses a related test, drives without a required 2toDrive supervisor, or uses the car for racing, rental, paid passenger transport or a purpose other than declared.
Claim notification deadline
The insured must contact ZLM as soon as possible after an event; for recovery assistance (verhaalsbijstand) via Stichting Rechtsbijstand ZLM, the event must be reported within 3 months of becoming aware of it, after which the right to assistance lapses.
Bonus-malus rules
Premium is adjusted yearly via a no-claim discount ladder (kortingstreden) that can provide up to 70% discount; each claim costs 4 discount steps (down to a minimum of -5), while a fully claim-free year earns an extra step; separately registered schadevrije jaren follow a similar but distinct scale.
Where to buy
Policy specifics
Direct claims handling by insurer
The insurer directly assesses and handles material damage claims rather than reimbursing the policyholder after repair
SourceDamage recovery assistance (Verhaalsbijstand)
Included service where the insurer assists in recovering damages from the liable party for traffic-related incidents
SourceNo deductible for WA-only coverage
WA-only policies have no deductible/excess for covered claims
SourceTransport assistance after accident
The insurer arranges and pays for transportation of the driver and vehicle after an accident
Source