Car lighting and car insurance

In the Netherlands it is illegal to drive with broken car lighting. If a bulb has blown, you have to replace it straight away. Of course, you do not always notice the moment a headlight gives up, which is why you should always carry spare bulbs. If the police pull you over, they will often let you replace the bulb on the spot. If not, you can be fined €140. So what about broken car lighting and a possible payout from your car insurance? There are a few scenarios, and this article walks you through them.

Car lighting and car insurance when bulbs blow

We Dutch like to insure ourselves against anything that could possibly break, and our cars are no exception. Still, there is no point in dialling your insurer the moment a light goes out: blown car bulbs count as normal wear and tear, and your insurance does not cover that. If you compare the terms of car insurance across insurers, you will see the same thing every time.

Dealer service

There is, however, another way to get your lighting replaced for 'free'. Some car dealers give you a service card when your car is serviced, which lets you have all sorts of small things replaced or repaired at no charge. If you have one, you may well be able to have your broken lighting replaced for nothing. Want to replace the bulb yourself? Check the owner's manual to find out exactly where the bulb sits and how to swap it. Is the bulb hot? Careful: pick it up with a cloth!

Replacing car bulbs with xenon or LED

To keep dead lights to a minimum, it helps to choose lighting that lasts a long time, such as xenon or LED lighting. As mentioned, your insurance does not pay for blown bulbs. Car bulbs are not wildly expensive, but if you get fined for driving without proper lighting, the costs add up quickly. So it can pay to look at replacing your current halogen bulbs with xenon or LED lighting. LED bulbs are generally known to be economical and long-lasting. The downside is that they cost more than other types of lighting.

Xenon bulbs also last longer than halogen bulbs. They give better visibility and use less energy, too. On the other hand, they are more expensive and need to be aimed properly. If that does not happen, oncoming drivers can be bothered by the glare.

Theft of and damage to lighting

Modern cars are getting better and better at resisting theft, so car thieves increasingly limit themselves to stealing parts. Car bulbs and headlights can be a target too. If your headlights are stolen, your car insurance does reimburse you, provided you have at least partial cover (beperkt casco). That cover pays out for damage caused by theft, but the theft must be demonstrable. If bulbs break in an accident, the insurance can cover the damage. If someone else causes the damage, that party is responsible for paying. If you are the one who, say, backs into a bollard, only comprehensive cover (allrisk) will pay out. It is the only type of cover that reimburses damage you cause to your own car. Be careful, though: by claiming damage you give up no-claim years. That means a smaller discount on your premium, so it can work out cheaper to pay for small repairs yourself.

Value of your car and insurance

Have you had expensive lighting fitted to your car? Then, depending on the car's current value, it may be wise to take out broader cover than third-party liability (WA) alone. To see which options are good value, you can compare car insurance. That quickly shows whether broader cover is worth it. If you claim theft on your car insurance, it often has no impact on the no-claim years you have built up. After all, you were not responsible for the theft; you did not cause the damage yourself.

Which spare bulbs should you carry?

Because you have to replace a blown bulb straight away, it pays to keep spare bulbs in the car. Which fitting you need is in your car's owner's manual or on the base of the bulb that is in there now. Common fittings are:

• Low beam and high beam: often separate bulbs such as H7 and H1, or low and high beam in one bulb with H4, H13 or HB5.
• Parking light: the T10/W5W fitting is the most common, but BA9S and BA9XS turn up regularly too.
• Number plate light: often T10 or C5W.

If you go for LED, you will not have to swap bulbs as often: LED number plate lights last up to 15 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. You will find an overview per light unit in the car LED lighting buying guide and with the LED parking lights.

If you fit LED or xenon in the headlight, have the beam aimed properly and check whether your car still meets the Dutch APK requirements; if in doubt, ask the RDW or your inspector.