Curaçao (CW)
Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island of approximately 160,000 people situated 65km north of Venezuela, outside the Atlantic hurricane belt.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Curaçao, prioritised.
Insurance in Curaçao follows a Dutch-style framework with mandatory and voluntary components. Mandatory: BVZ (basic health insurance via SVB) for all legal residents; WA (third-party vehicle liability) for all vehicles. Strongly recommended: comprehensive health insurance with medevac, property/contents insurance, and comprehensive vehicle insurance. Local insurers: ENNIA, Fatum, VIDANOVA. International expat health plans (Cigna Global, Aetna, BUPA) serve expats with global coverage needs.
Legally Mandatory
- - BVZ (Basisverzekering Ziektekosten) — mandatory basic health insurance for all legal residents via SVB
- - WA (Wettelijke Aansprakelijkheid) — mandatory third-party vehicle liability for all registered vehicles
BVZ — Basic Health Insurance
Mandatory basic health insurance covering GP visits, hospital care, specialist referrals, and prescribed medication for all legal residents.
Who needs it: All legal residents with a VVA permit or Dutch citizenship — legally mandatory.
Annual cost: 2026 employee BVZ share 4.3% of covered salary, generally deducted at source; employer share 9.3%
Register with SVB within 30 days of receiving your VVA. Employer withholds the AZV contribution from salary.
Supplementary Health Insurance with Medevac
Supplements BVZ with medevac to Netherlands (USD 50,000–150,000 without insurance), dental, optical, and international coverage.
Who needs it: All expats — medevac coverage is critical given limited CMC capacity for complex conditions.
Annual cost: XCG 1,200–3,600/year (local supplementary). USD 1,800–6,000/year (international expat plan).
Ensure policy explicitly includes air ambulance medevac to the Netherlands. International plans provide better global coverage if you travel frequently.
WA Vehicle Insurance (Third-Party Liability)
Mandatory minimum vehicle insurance covering damage to third parties (persons and property). You cannot legally drive without it.
Who needs it: Every vehicle owner and driver in Curaçao — legally mandatory.
Annual cost: XCG 1,200–2,400/year (XCG 100–200/month)
Driving without valid WA results in XCG 500–1,000 fine + vehicle impoundment. Get insurance before your first drive.
Comprehensive Vehicle Insurance (All-Risk)
Covers your own vehicle damage in addition to third-party liability. Includes theft, accident, and collision.
Who needs it: Owners of vehicles valued over XCG 15,000, and all drivers of financed vehicles.
Annual cost: XCG 2,400–6,000/year (XCG 200–500/month)
Given Curaçao's road conditions (potholes, salt air corrosion) and vehicle import costs, comprehensive cover is strongly advised.
Property/Contents Insurance
Contents insurance covers personal belongings inside your home (tenant responsibility). Buildings insurance covers the structure (landlord responsibility for rentals).
Who needs it: All expats renting or owning property in Curaçao.
Annual cost: XCG 600–1,800/year for contents insurance
Confirm policy covers windstorm/hurricane damage even though direct hits are rare. Theft coverage important for homes without security systems.
Personal Liability Insurance
Covers accidental damage you cause to third parties — property damage and personal injury.
Who needs it: All residents — very common in Dutch culture and strongly recommended.
Annual cost: XCG 240–720/year (XCG 20–60/month)
Covers accidental damage to others' property or persons. Standard cover: XCG 1–2 million. Very affordable.
International Travel Insurance
Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage for travel outside Curaçao.
Who needs it: Anyone travelling to the US, Venezuela, Colombia, or other destinations. Annual multi-trip policy recommended for frequent travellers.
Annual cost: Annual multi-trip: XCG 300–600. Single trip: XCG 50–150.
US medical costs are extremely high without insurance. Ensure the policy covers Caribbean activities (diving, watersports).
Life Insurance
Provides a death benefit for dependants. AOV/AWW provides limited state survivor benefit.
Who needs it: Expats with dependants in Curaçao or at home.
Annual cost: XCG 1,800–3,600/year for a 30-year-old with USD 500,000 term cover
International life insurance policies portable worldwide are preferable to local policies if you may leave Curaçao. Ensure coverage does not lapse on departure.
Comparison sites
Register for BVZ within 30 days of receiving your VVA — late registration creates coverage gaps
Get supplementary health insurance with medevac before your first day in Curaçao — not after
WA vehicle insurance must be in place before your first drive — police can check at any roadblock
Verify that your CBCS-regulated insurer is on the approved insurer list at centralbank.cw before paying premiums
For comprehensive expat needs, Cigna Global and Aetna International offer portable worldwide cover that survives departure from Curaçao
Insurance
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