What is disability insurance?
An incapacity benefit insurance (AOV) can provide an agreed payout if you are unable to work due to illness or an accident and you meet the policy conditions. You are not automatically insured for your self-employed profit like an employee. Within the options of the policy, you choose, among other things, an insured amount, waiting period, and benefit duration. The insurance does not automatically cover all loss of income or business damage.
Why take out an AOV as a self-employed person?
If income falls away, your financial reserves can decrease while fixed costs continue. Determine which income your household will then miss and which costs you must be able to bridge yourself. A suitable AOV can reduce this risk; an insurance policy does not guarantee that your business can continue to exist.
Advantages and disadvantages
An AOV can help cover a long-term income risk. In return, there are premiums and conditions.
Advantages:
- An agreed benefit in the event of covered occupational disability.
- Choice of insured amount, waiting period and benefit period.
- Subject to conditions, private deduction of the premium.
- Depending on the policy, assistance with prevention and reintegration.
Disadvantages:
- You pay a premium, even without making a claim on the insurance.
- The insurer assesses incapacity for work according to the policy criterion.
- You bridge the waiting time yourself.
- Acceptance and medical information can lead to exclusions, a higher premium or rejection.
- The premium development and cover vary per policy.
What is and is not insured?
Check whether the insurer looks at your own occupation or another incapacity for work criterion. Also pay attention to the minimum benefit threshold, the benefit for partial incapacity for work and exclusions. The percentage of incapacity for work is not the same as the benefit percentage with every policy. Ask how your specific activities are described and which medical conditions or situations fall outside the cover.
Is an AOV mandatory?
As of 14 September 2026, there is still no general statutory disability insurance obligation (AOV) for the self-employed. The Basic Disability Insurance for Self-Employed Persons Act (BAZ) is a legislative proposal. The presentation to the House of Representatives of 23 March 2026 There is no start date. The content and implementation are still subject to change. Please take your excess and any agreements with clients into account for your current provisions.
Cost of disability insurance for self-employed workers
The premium depends, among other things, on your profession, age, health, insured amount, waiting period and benefit period. A general net monthly price is not reliable without your policy and tax situation. Therefore, request quotes based on the same details. Compare the gross annual premium, advisory and maintenance costs, and the premium after a temporary discount expires.
Compare disability insurance (costs)
Compare the points below from your quotes side by side. A lower premium may be associated with less cover or a longer period that you have to fund yourself.
| Point of comparison | What do you ask for? |
|---|---|
| Sum insured | What gross monthly amount applies in the case of both full and partial incapacity for work? |
| Review | Is it about your own profession or another criterion? |
| Payout threshold | From what percentage do you get a benefit, and according to which sliding scale? |
| Waiting time | Which period do you pay for yourself and how does renewed sickness absence work? |
| Duration and final age | How long does the benefit run and when does the insurance end? |
| Indexation | Do the insured amount and payout increase accordingly? |
| Exclusions | What conditions and situations are not covered? |
| Premium and extra costs | Is the premium fixed or rising? What do you pay after discount, including advice and maintenance? |
Have unclear policy conditions explained by the insurer or a qualified insurance adviser.
Cheapest disability insurance
A longer waiting period or lower insured amount can lower the premium, but increases the amount you have to cover yourself. Therefore, first look at your necessary expenses, other available income and buffer.
Fictional budget example: €2,000 necessary private expenses minus €500 other available net income gives a €1,500 shortfall per month. For three months that is €4,500, aside from extra business costs. A gross AOV (Disability Insurance) benefit is not the same as net disposable income. This example is a budget calculation, not advice for a specific insured amount.
Best disability insurance
There is no single policy that is best for every self-employed person. Compare your profession, medical underwriting, buffer and desired cover. Discuss the choice with a qualified insurance adviser if you need help.
A voluntary UWV insurance is only available under certain conditions. After the end of your compulsory employee insurance, there is normally a registration period of thirteen weeks and you must have been insured for the preceding year, with a break of no more than sixty days. If you remain partially in paid employment, different conditions apply, including in principle three years of prior compulsory insurance. Check the in good time UWV conditions.
Premium deductible
With an AOV with periodic payouts, the premium can under certain conditions be tax-deductible privately as an expense for income provisions. It is not a business expense. Usually you are the policyholder, insured party and beneficiary. This deduction does not apply to a lump-sum payout.
A periodic disability benefit is in principle taxable. The net effect depends on your full tax return; a fixed discount percentage is therefore not appropriate. Keep your policy, premium statement and annual statement. Read the tax conditions of the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. Need help processing it in your tax return? View which returns are included in our package.
Brood fund
A broodfonds is a group of entrepreneurs who support each other in the event of illness with donations, for a maximum of two years according to the fund's agreements. You deposit into a personal account. The balance that remains in it is different from paid contributions and donations you have already made. Compare the total costs, admission conditions, waiting period and duration with other provisions.
A bread fund can be used in combination with a disability insurance (AOV) to cover different periods. In that case, check whether the provisions dovetail with each other. Read more about how a bread fund works.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does disability insurance for the self-employed cost?
Your premium depends on, among other things, occupation, age, insured amount, waiting period and benefit period. Compare quotes with the same starting points, including additional costs and the premium after temporary discount. A net amount also depends on your tax return.
Which AOV is best for self-employed workers?
It depends on your situation. Compare different providers on premium, coverage and conditions, pay attention to the definition of disability and choose something that suits your occupation, income and risk profile.
As a self-employed person, can I receive benefits if I am disabled?
There is no automatic employee insurance for your self-employed profit. An AOV can pay out according to the policy conditions. In addition, rights from previous or simultaneous employment or other arrangements may exist. Therefore, check your insurance and personal situation; there is no single answer for every self-employed person.
