WA stands for wettelijke aansprakelijkheid, legal liability. Third-party insurance pays for damage you cause to others with your car, such as to another vehicle or to someone who gets injured. Damage to your own car is not covered; for that you need limited comprehensive or fully comprehensive cover.
Under the Dutch motor liability insurance act (WAM), every car with a licence plate must be insured, even if it stands still for a long time. The obligation only lapses if you have the registration suspended (schorsen) with the RDW. The RDW checks periodically whether cars are insured; if one is not, the registered keeper gets a fine by post.
Why it matters when buying or selling
- Buyer: you need at least WA cover from the moment the car is in your name. Arrange insurance before you transfer ownership.
- Seller: after the transfer you receive a vrijwaringsbewijs (indemnity certificate). Use it to cancel your insurance.
- Check: the RDW data shows whether a car is WA-insured, so you can also see whether a car you want to buy is currently insured.