LIFE AND DEATH*

When a baby is born, health insurance is usually provided by the parents’ health insurance fund. But people do not often pay attention to insurance in case of death.

Let us see what the possibilities are.

1. You do nothing: meaning that you do not take out an insurance.
The funeral will then be taken care of by the local authorities.
In case you wish to be buried in your country of origin, according to the traditions of that country, it will be very costly. Transport i.e. is very expensive. If you are not insured for the cost of a funeral, these costs will entirely be charged to you.
2. You do take out an insurance. You have a choice between cremation and burial.
And you pay a premium to the insurance company 1x per month or 1x per year.
Again there is a choice: between burial in this country or in your home country.
You can also decide for which amount you wish to be insured.
Sometimes there is a fixed period called ‘looptijd’. This means that you have to pay for 20 or 30 years, and then the payment ends. If you might pass away during the ‘looptijd’ payment takes place nevertheless.
Children up to the age of 18 are included in their parents’ policy’ (= polis = insurance paper). There is no need to pay extra.
3. If you wish to have an insurance there is another choice: payment in cash, this means that you have to make the necessary arrangements yourself .
Or you can have the insurance company make all the arrangements, for an amount that has to be agreed upon in advance.
4. Finally you can choose between the various insurance companies. It is good to compare the amounts you pay and their payment. The differences may be large.
Always ask for an ‘offerte’ (= paper which mentions the terms) and read it thoroughly.

* With reference to forms sent out by insurance company Agis, with whom many clients of the Dienst Samenleving are insured.