Dutch insurers are usually subject to two or three regulatory authorities. The most important two are De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) and the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM).

DNB is mainly concerned with licences and finances, also known as prudential regulation. The AFM focuses on the regulation of conduct, looking at the way in which insurers act towards the consumers. However, it also supervises the conduct of other financial service providers, such as brokers, intermediaries and authorized agents, towards their customers.

Lastly, the Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) regulates competition aspects of the Dutch insurance market. Regulation has been changing a great deal and fast over the last few years, due to a combination of factors. Further European harmonization, an increasing need for consumer protection, computerization and the outsourcing of insurance tasks to others has resulted in more and more laws, decisions and other regulations. The most recent (new) legislation is codified in the Act on Financial Suspension.

CMS Derks Star Busmann has broad experience in advising insurers and financial service providers in the area of supervisory regulation and all associated aspects.