How does insurance interact with product liability in the Netherlands?

Dutch term: Productaansprakelijkheidsverzekering | Legal basis: General insurance law + product liability

Product liability insurance (productaansprakelijkheidsverzekering) in the Netherlands covers the insured's liability for damage caused by defective products. The policy typically covers claims under the strict product liability regime (articles 6:185-6:193 BW), general tort law (article 6:162 BW) and, depending on the policy, contractual warranty claims.

Key policy considerations include the scope of cover (which products, which territories, which types of damage), policy limits and deductibles, the treatment of recalls and corrective measures (often excluded or separately insured), the interaction with supply chain indemnities, and the notification requirements. Insurers increasingly require evidence of product compliance (CE marking, technical documentation, quality management) as a condition of cover.

Why it matters for international businesses

For manufacturers and importers, product liability insurance is an essential part of the risk management framework alongside product compliance and contractual liability allocation.