{"type":"document","data":{"id":"f5cf0f4e-2856-4828-8f3b-747d4954cac8","localeString":"en-GB","publishDate":"2026-03-31T15:03:19.420+02:00","contentType":"onecms:productPage","hasMacro":false,"flexPageMetadata":{"afmBanner":false,"robotInstruction":{"noIndex":false,"noFollow":false},"description":"See when business legal cover is useful and what freelancers often forget—so you never do."},"mainHeaderZone":{"componentType":"productHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"Many freelancers or self-employed only think about a legal assistance insurance when they need such assistance. But… by then, it’s almost always too late. We’re happy to explain why you should take out this insurance in time.","headerImage":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/d45aceeb-bc47-472e-b1c3-2fd0fded55b2/Woman-hides-face-with-hands","type":"image","width":4113,"altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/a4f240516f8f8ea/original/Woman-hides-face-with-hands.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"title":"Legal assistance insurance for self-employed","subtitle":"Why is this important?"},"backLink":{"textLink":{"url":"/en/business/insurance","text":"Business insurances"}}},"flexZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Why legal assistance insurance for freelancers and self-employed?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>It’s <strong>every entrepreneur’s nightmare</strong>: a dispute with a client or supplier. For example, you have to wait a long time to get paid, or agreements are not honored at all. In such cases, it’s reassuring to have access to legal experts as a freelancer.</p><p>The <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/business/insurance/ing-company-legal-assistance-insurance\">Legal assistance insurance of ING</a> covers legal help for:</p><ul><li>Business disputes and conflicts</li><li>Debt collection assistance in case of non-payment</li></ul><p>This helps you avoid paying high lawyer fees from your own pocket. And all that usually for just a few tens of euros per month. Your premium depends on several factors. Calculate your exact premium online, completely free and tailored to your situation.</p>"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"Practical examples for freelancers: legal assistance insurance offers help","richBody":{"value":"<p>Here are just a few examples of situations that can happen to you as a freelancer:</p><ul><li>“My supplier is not following through on our contractual agreements, and now I’m losing income.”</li><li>“My expensive equipment was irreparably damaged by someone while I was working on-site.”</li><li>“My contractor delivered my office completely differently than agreed.”</li></ul><p>For many freelancers, legal assistance can be a lifesaver in such cases. With the ING Business Legal Assistance Insurance, you are well covered for:</p><ul><li>Disputes with clients, suppliers, or franchisors</li><li>Recovering damages caused by someone else</li><li>Disputes regarding contracts for work</li></ul><p>Keep in mind that not everything is covered under business legal assistance for freelancers. You are not insured for legal help with:</p><ul><li>Disputes related to asset management or subsidies</li><li>Tax disputes</li><li>Traffic-related disputes</li></ul>"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/insurance/ing-company-legal-assistance-insurance","text":"Check immediately what is and isn’t covered"}]},{"title":"Highlighted for freelancers: debt collection assistance","richBody":{"value":"<p>With the ING Business Legal Assistance Insurance, you can count on legal advice from DAS.<br />If you ever have to deal with a non-paying client as a freelancer - say, after completing a big project - and you’d rather not chase that unpaid invoice yourself? DAS can step in with their debt collection service. That’s peace of mind.</p><p>Here are some key conditions:</p><ul><li>The outstanding amount is at least €400</li><li>The issue arises during (not before) the term of your legal assistance insurance</li><li>You’ve already requested payment twice in writing</li><li>No other collection agency is involved. If you hire one yourself, those costs won’t be reimbursed</li><li>You report the claim to DAS within 6 months of the invoice date</li><li>It’s not related to bankruptcy or suspension of payment</li><li>The debt collection assistance applies within the Netherlands</li></ul><p>Check the full <a href=\"https://assets.ing.com/m/7db68962f5edb9cb/original/Voorwaarden-NL-Rechtbijstand-bedrijven.pdf\">terms and conditions</a> when you can rely on debt collection assistance.</p>"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Often unknown to freelancers: legal assistance insurance waiting period"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Most insurers apply a waiting period of 3 months when you take out a business legal assistance insurance. This means:</p><ul><li>You’re not covered for disputes that arise within 3 months after the insurance starts</li><li>Issues that were already ongoing before the insurance began are not covered</li></ul><p>This detail is often missed or forgotten. Understandable, freelancers already have enough on their minds. Read the <a href=\"https://assets.ing.com/m/7db68962f5edb9cb/original/Voorwaarden-NL-Rechtbijstand-bedrijven.pdf\">general terms and conditions</a> <span lang=\"en-NL\" dir=\"ltr\"><span><span>for more information about the waiting period.</span></span></span></p>"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Why choose legal assistance for freelancers via ING?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"<p>Freelancers with <a data-type=\"internal\" href=\"/en/business/payments/business-account\">business current account</a> at ING benefit from the ING Business Legal Assistance Insurance with:</p><ul><li>Competitive premium</li><li>Expert help in different legal areas</li><li>Complex matters explained clearly</li><li>Fast support, close to you</li><li>Easy to apply and cancel daily</li></ul>"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/insurance/ing-company-legal-assistance-insurance","text":"Check out the Company legal assistance insurance of ING"}],"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/52131972-f3dd-4adf-b5e9-91997008ce38/WOMAN-WORKING-WITH-SMART-PHONE","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/40038dd787f31c89/original/WOMAN-WORKING-WITH-SMART-PHONE.JPG","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What do other freelancers ask about legal assistance insurance?"},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"1. How much does business legal assistance for freelancers cost?","richBody":{"value":"<p>On average, freelancers pay a few tens of euros per month for a business legal assistance insurance. Your premium depends on your personal situation and business activities, as well as the coverage you choose. You can easily calculate your premium online, free and tailored to you.</p><p>Good to know: With the Company legal assistance insurance of ING, you pay no deductible when you use an internal legal expert.</p>"}},{"title":"2. Are the costs of a business legal assistance insurance tax-deductible?","richBody":{"value":"<p>Yes, according to the <a href=\"https://ondernemersplein.overheid.nl/geldzaken-en-belastingen/aftrekposten-en-fiscale-regelingen/aftrekken-bedrijfskosten/#art:premies-verzekeringen-en-pensioen\">utch Ttax Authority (Dutch site)</a>, you can deduct the costs of your business legal assistance insurance from your revenue in your income tax return. This means that as a freelancer, you’ll end up paying less per year to insure legal support.</p>"}},{"title":"3. What’s the difference between personal and business legal assistance?","richBody":{"value":"<p>As a freelancer, you might think: “I already have a personal legal expenses insurance, can’t I use that for business disputes?” Understandable, but that policy only covers legal help for private matters. For example, if you buy something online for your family and the company doesn’t deliver.</p><p>A business legal assistance insurance is specifically for disputes related to your business. At ING, we don’t distinguish between freelancers and SMEs for this coverage.</p><p>So yes, as a freelancer you can have two legal assistance insurances: one for your private life and one for your sole proprietorship.<br /> </p>"}}]},{"componentType":"linkList","componentStyle":"default","iconTitle":{"title":"Also interesting for you"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/insurance/ing-company-legal-assistance-insurance","text":"Company legal assistance insurance"},{"url":"/en/business/insurance/insurance-self-employed","text":"What insurances do you need as self-employed?"},{"url":"/en/business/insurance","text":"All business insurances"},{"url":"/en/business/self-employed","text":"More tips for the self-employed"}]}]}}}