Univé vs Centraal Beheer legal insurance 2026: no waiting period against no minimum claim
48 cents a month apart, but very different in when and for what they help.
Univé relaunched its legal insurance on 1 October 2026: every cover is now sold separately and new customers pay a premium based on age and household size. Centraal Beheer, part of Achmea, sells four modules priced by household size. For the cover most expats need, the two land within 48 cents of each other.
The real differences are in the conditions. For four other insurers and Legalec, see our legal insurance comparison, and for the cheapest option for renters our FBTO vs InShared page.
The short answer
Take Univé if you want cover to start straight away and the freedom to cancel on any day.
Take Centraal Beheer if you are happy to wait 3 months, want help with small disputes too, or can get an employer discount.
Univé and Centraal Beheer side by side
| Univé | Centraal Beheer | |
|---|---|---|
| Work cover | €9.97 | €11.81 |
| Home and purchases | €14.48 (Wonen + Consument & Familie) | €13.12 (Consument en wonen) |
| Total, one person | €24.45 | €24.93 |
| Traffic module | €7.94 | €3.95 (includes medical) |
| Waiting period | None, except divorce mediation | 3 months, traffic none |
| Minimum claim | Over €175 | None |
| Own lawyer, not legally required | Up to €7,500 | Up to €8,000 |
| Own lawyer, legally required | Up to €50,000 (€25,000 in family law) | Up to €50,000 |
| Cancelling | Any day, no notice period | 14 days cooling-off; see conditions after that |
| Who handles your case | Univé's own team of 200+ lawyers | Stichting Achmea Rechtsbijstand, 700+ legal specialists |
| Discounts | Up to 10% package discount | Through many employers and for Zilveren Kruis customers |
Univé prices quoted for one person aged 30, Centraal Beheer for one person, both on 3 October 2026. Univé's conditions come from its insurance card of 1 October 2026.
Univé: cover from day one
The no-waiting-period rule is Univé's strongest point. With most insurers a conflict that starts in your first 3 months is not covered; with Univé it is, as long as it did not start before you took out the policy. Cancelling on any day makes it a low-commitment choice for anyone on a fixed-term contract.
The trade-offs: a €175 minimum, a slightly lower own-lawyer cap, and an explicit exclusion for residence and work permit applications under the Wonen cover.
Best for: new arrivals who want protection now, and anyone who may leave within a year.
Calculate your Univé premiumAffiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Centraal Beheer: no minimum, bigger legal team
Centraal Beheer is the only insurer in our comparison that states it works without a minimum amount, and it says it helps with small conflicts too. Its cases go to Stichting Achmea Rechtsbijstand, which has more than 700 legal specialists, and you get online self-help tools such as template letters.
The trade-off is the 3-month waiting period on everything except traffic. Check also whether your employer offers a collective discount: the calculator asks for your employer or association before it shows a price.
Best for: people settling in for the long term who want small disputes covered too.
Calculate your Centraal Beheer premiumAffiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
What applies to both
Neither covers a conflict that started before your policy. If you are already in a dispute, see our guides on a settlement agreement, a deposit that was not returned or a car accident.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Univé or Centraal Beheer?
Almost the same. For one person, work plus housing plus consumer cover costs €24.45 a month at Univé (for a 30-year-old) and €24.93 at Centraal Beheer. Univé prices depend on age and household size since 1 October 2026, so your quote can differ.
Does Univé really have no waiting period?
Univé's insurance card (version 18, 1 October 2026) only names a waiting period for divorce mediation. Centraal Beheer applies 3 months to every module except traffic, and 1 year for divorce mediation.
What is the minimum claim amount?
Univé helps with conflicts worth more than €175. Centraal Beheer states it has no minimum amount at all, so it also takes on small disputes.
Can I choose my own lawyer?
Both allow it in court or administrative procedures, with a €250 contribution. Where a lawyer is not legally required, Univé reimburses up to €7,500 and Centraal Beheer up to €8,000. Where a lawyer is required, both go up to €50,000.
Is either good if my visa depends on my job?
Both help with a dispute with your employer once the waiting period, if any, has passed. Neither is meant for the IND application itself: Univé explicitly excludes residence and work permit applications.
Sources
- • Univé insurance card (version 18, 1 October 2026): waiting period, minimum claim, own-lawyer caps and cancellation
- • Kifid: the complaints institute if you disagree with an insurer
- • Juridisch Loket: free legal advice whether or not you are insured