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Like most travel destinations, Netherlands has many potential risks for the unwary and is why taking out the right insurance is of high importance. Despite having a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia, there many limitations of such system which makes travel insurance a high priority for travellers.
Continue reading this guide to see why travel insurance for the Netherlands is an essential protection to have.
Australia has a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RCHA) with a number of European countries including the Netherlands. This allows Australian visitors to access the local public health system for emergency medical treatment. But while the Dutch health system is of a high standard, it would not be wise to rely on the RHCA. It only covers certain things and does not cover;
For this reason, you should not rely on the RCHA and should ensure you have travel insurance with overseas medical and hospital cover before visiting the Netherlands.
Travelling anywhere overseas can have dangers, so it always pays to have travel insurance and to know something about your destination before arriving. The key travel concerns of the Netherlands are
The following case study illustrates how travel insurance can get you out of a sticky situation in the Netherlands.
Tony and Anne were holidaying in Amsterdam when they were approached by two men who claimed to be plain clothes police. The men demanded to inspect their currency for counterfeit notes, but when they handed over their wallets they fled, leaving Tony and Anne without any money or ID. Fortunately, their insurer had an emergency assistance service in the Netherlands and they were able to lodge a successful claim to have their passports and money replaced.Tony and Anne's Stolen Wallets
Weed, or marijuana tourism is travelling for the purpose of obtaining or using marijuana and because of its relaxed attitude to drugs, the Netherlands is a destination for marijuana tourists from Europe and abroad.
In recent times, the Netherlands has become divided on whether its drug laws should be tightened, with the north and south having different opinions on the matter. Local governments in districts that rely on such tourism are defying federal bans on supplying marijuana to tourists and the practice still continues in pockets of the country.
While the Netherlands has a relaxed view on drugs, the same cannot be said for travel insurance brands. Most travel policies have an exclusion to the effect that cover is voided if the insured is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, unless prescribed by a medical practitioner.
Mark, a young backpacker from Melbourne, was enjoying his afternoon on the 3rd floor of his apartment, situated above a renown cannabis cafe in Rotterdam. Earlier that day he had consumed a few menu items from downstairs, and was now feeling the effects. Misjudging his balance, Mark slipped off the balcony and broke his leg. Mark's insurer refused his claim on the ground that he was intoxicated, and he was forced to pay for his own medical treatment, which came to several thousand dollars.A balcony high up
Just as the Netherlands has a relaxed attitude to drug use, it also views prostitution in a more liberal light. Amsterdam’s Red Light District is a classic example, where tourists flock to see prostitutes touting their wares in the famous shop front windows.
If a tourist were to do more than look, they could find themselves in the same position as a marijuana tourist. Insurers have an exclusion in their policies which states that claims arising from reckless or irresponsible behaviour are not covered. If you were assaulted or had your valuables stolen while consorting with prostitutes, you would not be covered, just as you would not be covered if you contracted a sexually transmitted disease (another automatic exclusion in most policies).
If something goes wrong in the Netherlands and you have to claim on your travel insurance, you will need to follow the correct procedure to ensure a successful outcome. The steps involved include;
To enter the Netherlands, an Australian traveller requires a passport valid for at least three months beyond the length of their stay.
You must have a return airline ticket and must be able to show evidence of sufficient funds.
You can stay up to 90 days, after which you must leave or apply for a residence permit. And while travel insurance is not compulsory during the 90 days, you will be required to take out health insurance if your residence application is successful.
Deciding when to travel to the Netherlands will depend on your budget and what you want to do while you are there.
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As part of the EU, the Netherlands uses the Euro as its currency. When travelling to any country, it is always a good idea to have a little cash on hand for places that don’t accept cards and you will get reasonable exchange rates for Euros from the larger money exchangers in places like Amsterdam.
Using a card for your transactions is a better way to go in the Netherlands, as there are ATMs everywhere and cards are accepted in most establishments. If you choose to use a credit card, be aware that you will be charged a conversion fee every time you use it and also a withdrawal fee. The main advantage of using a credit card is that it provides security through its zero-liability guarantee, which reimburses you if you fall victim to fraud.
A better alternative is a travel card, which allows you to load and spend Euros without incurring a currency conversion fee, although you will still pay reloading and ATM fees.
It’s always a good feeling to know you can contact someone in an emergency and the following details will assist you if something goes wrong in the Netherlands;
A normal comprehensive travel insurance policy will provide the following benefits and exclusions:
Exclusions
Choosing the right level of travel insurance for the Netherlands involves asking yourself 5 simple questions
While the Netherlands is basically a safe country to visit, there are plenty of good reasons to have comprehensive travel insurance in case the unexpected should happen. With cover for medical emergencies, lost belongings and trip cancellations and delays, you can rest easy and enjoy all this beautiful country has to offer.
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*The use of terms 'Best' and 'Top' are not product ratings and are subject to our disclaimer. You should consider seeking independent financial advice and consider your own personal financial circumstances when comparing travel insurance policies. $21 price is for a 3 day trip for a 25 year old traveller. This price may be subject to changePicture: Shutterstock
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