Since the beginning of 2022, advisers applying for Argenta mortgages have the possibility to quickly and easily apply for the BNP Paribas Cardif Suretyship. The two parties will also continue their partnership in 2023, adding a free desktop valuation from Calcasa for customers applying for an Argenta mortgage with a Suretyship from BNP Paribas Cardif until 1 May to make the mortgage process even more efficient.
The three parties thus strengthen the mortgage market together, thanks to BNP Paribas Cardif in The Netherlands years of experience with Suretyships combined with Argenta’s strong market position and Calcasa’s independent and fast desktop valuation.
Last year, Argenta bank has included BNP Paribas Cardif Suretyships in its mortgage process. This allows an adviser to arrange a Suretyship for customers taking out the Argenta mortgage easily, quickly and at a competitive rate. The Suretyship offers security and makes purchasing a home easier.
Together, the parties want to unburden the customer journey even further. Among other things, they do this by offering simple products and making the processes more efficient. This step will speed up the mortgage process even more by offering Calcasa’s desktop valuation online, so that the customer receives the valuation within four hours. Now these three parties have jointly launched a campaign to make these
simple processes even more prominent to and experienced by customers and advisers.
“Calcasa has developed the desktop valuation to provide consumers with a quick and reliable valuation.
A fully digital process for advisor and customer where the mortgage lender ultimately uses source data is
where we are heading in the market. The deployment of the desktop valuation in the adviser’s process
leads to time savings and hence faster clarity. The initiative with BNP Paribas Cardif and Argenta is a nice
collaboration in the chain and makes it even easier for the advisor and the customer”
Tijs Pellemans,General Director Calcasa.
“Argenta is a responsible, simple and price-conscious bank and continues to work on that. This promotion
of a free desktop valuation together with BNP Paribas Cardif and Calcasa fits our character perfectly. It
also shows how we can mean even more to customers and advisers through cooperation. In this way, we
want to continue to grow healthily in the Netherlands in the coming years, including productive cooperation
with our partners in the mortgage chain.”
Sander Blommaert, CEO Argenta Netherlands
“As the expert in Suretyships, BNP Paribas Cardif chooses to cooperate with partners in the mortgage
chain. The addition of Calcasa’s desktop valuation to the mortgage process with Argenta, fits seamlessly
with our partner strategy and makes insurance simple and therefore more accessible.
Guido Wassink, Head of Sales & Business Development at BNP Paribas Cardif in The Netherlands.
Hera Life and BNP Paribas Cardif introduce Hera Zelfverzekerd. The insurance pays out when a self-employed person (zzp and zmp) loses a physical function.
Hera Zelfverzekerd pays out when self-employed people can be expected to lose more than 12 months of physical function and:
• Can no longer see, hear or speak
• Are no longer mobile
• Are no longer able to use their arms or hands
More than accident cover and an alternative for the AOV
The insurance offers more than an accident cover and is not classified as an AOV, because the payment is not linked to an occupation and not based on a disability percentage or loss of income. The insurance is particularly suitable for self-employed persons who do not want to pay for a full AOV, but do need a safety net solution. And for entrepreneurs who already have an AOV or participate in a mutual fund, but would like some extra security and protection.
A free to spend, single payment
For a low monthly premium, Hera Zelfverzekerd offers financial support in the form of a one-off payment between €35,000 and €200,000. The entrepreneur chooses this amount himself and the payment is tax-free. Hera Zelfverzekerd is a safety net solution which can be used to reorganise work and life. For example, to absorb a period of loss of income, for training or retraining, to hire a replacement or to make the necessary adjustments to the home. Virtually all professions are insured.
A social problem: fewer and fewer self-employed insured
The number of self-employed (zzp & zmp) in the Netherlands has been rising for years, but fewer and fewer of them are insured. A trend that entails major social risks. A few facts in a row:
• In 2021 there will be 1.1 million people in the Netherlands with a main job as a self-employed person, which is 12% of all employed people1.
• 1 in 4 entrepreneurs become disabled2.
• 75% of self-employed people have no disability insurance3.
Co-production between Hera Life, Munich Re and BNP Paribas Cardif
Hera Zelfverzekerd is a co-production of Hera Life, insurer BNP Paribas Cardif and reinsurer Munich Re. The distribution and marketing of the insurance goes through independent advisors, mortgage advisors and industry associations. There is a continuous commission payment on the insurance.
Sander Franken, director Hera Life: “More than 75% of the self-employed do not take out an AOV or put it off. Too expensive, too complicated, it will not happen to me’ are often heard arguments.
What also does not help is that fewer and fewer advisers have a WFT income diploma and that, in addition to the high premium, they have to invoice the client for advice and management. With Hera Zelfverzekerd we offer clients a simple and affordable solution for when things really go wrong. Because Hera Zelfverzekerd is a non-life insurance, the advice is not reserved for advisers with the diploma WFT income and the intermediary receives a continuous fee for advice and management.”
Olaf Siemsen, Munich Re’s Senior Client Manager for the Dutch insurance market, adds: “For us, the Netherlands represents strong entrepreneurship and also an established market for insurance products. Although AOV covers have been sold in the Dutch market for many years, we see great potential for the many zzp’ers and zmp’ers who are looking for attractive alternative solutions. Therefore, we are very pleased to introduce the new product Hera Zelfverzekerd (Self-insured) in the Netherlands. This product offers a newish transparent and affordable protection for the entrepreneur to remain independent in case of unexpected ordeals.“
“For years, we have seen an increase in the number of self-employed people in the Netherlands, and they are insuring themselves less and less against impactful life events that could jeopardise the future of their business. As we all know, this trend brings with it great social risks. Together with Hera Life and Munich Re, we have developed a product that meets the needs of the self-employed: affordable insurance with a payout that offers flexibility. With Hera Zelfverzekerd, we make insurance more accessible for the over 1 million self-employed in the Netherlands,” said Marieke van Zuien, CCO BNP Paribas Cardif in Belgium and the Netherlands.
More information on Hera Zelfverzekerd can be found at: https://heralife.nl/hera-zelfverzekerd-klant/
1 https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/dossier/dossier-zzp/ontwikkelingen-zzp
2 https://www.adfiz.nl/media/1274/adfiz_arbeidsongeschiktheidsrisicos_infographic_def.pdf
3 https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/methoden/onderzoeksomschrijvingen/korte-onderzoeksomschrijvingen/zelfstandigen-enquete-arbeid–zea–
Water and more conscious eating the new standard at school by Thirst bar and Kokkerelli
Today, on World Health Day, JOGG and BNP Paribas Cardif announce their
partnership. The insurer helps JOGG to make the school environment healthier by encouraging
healthier food and water consumption. To this end, the Thirst bar and Kokkerelli initiatives are
being expanded.
JOGG (Healthy Youth, Healthy Future) strives for a ‘lifestyle transition’ from unhealthy to healthy living.
JOGG makes the physical and social living environment of all children and young people healthier. As a
result, the youth grows up into a healthy generation.
BNP Paribas Cardif and JOGG together stimulate a healthy lifestyle among young people through various
initiatives such as:
Thirst bar: stimulating drinking water at (V)MBO schools
Thanks to research commissioned by JOGG last year and co-creation with young people, secondary
school students themselves, the Thirst bar concept is now available. This makes water taps more
attractive, so that young people also drink water at school and experience it as a meeting place. It
contributes to structural behavioral change, with an adjustment in the physical environment and a range
of ‘thirst lessons’ where substantive attention is paid to the benefits of drinking water as a healthy thirst
quencher. With the help of BNP Paribas Cardif, JOGG can ensure that this pilot is scaled up to more
schools to gain more data and insights. The aim is to make the concept applicable to all VMBO and MBO
schools in the Netherlands.
Kokkerelli: children learn about the food chain
In collaboration with Healthy Primary School of the Future, the Kokkerelli program in the Limburg region
will be boosted to other regions in the Netherlands. Through the Kokkerelli program, primary school
children are introduced to the entire food chain, literally from soil to mouth. Children learn where food
comes from and what the effect of food is on their health. They will see, feel, smell, prepare and taste fruit
and vegetables on location at the grower’s and in the kitchen.
A commitment with health and inclusion
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 39% of the global adult population (aged 18 and
over) was overweight in 2016 and 13% was obese. The number of overweight and obese children and
adolescents aged 5 to 19 has increased dramatically. From just 4% in 1975 to just over 18% in 2016.
The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that people who are overweight or obese are at greater risk of
developing a severe form of the disease, reinforcing BNP Paribas Cardif’s conviction of the importance
and urgency of acting.
As a global specialist in personal insurance and employer of 8,000 employees in 33 countries, BNP
Paribas Cardif wants to continue its commitment to health and inclusion, BNP Paribas Cardif thus
supports prevention, awareness and research on overweight and obesity.
Oosterhout, February 22, 2022 – Argenta has included the BNP Paribas Cardif Suretyship in its mortgage process. This makes the mortgage process even more efficient for advisor and customer. Advisers who apply for the Argenta mortgage are automatically made aware of the
possibility of quickly and easily applying for the BNP Paribas Cardif Suretyship. The BNP Paribas Cardif application process is fully digital and provides quick clarity. This fits in with Argenta’s efficient mortgage process.
With the interest rate offer of a mortgage from Argenta, the customer and advisor are immediately referred to the BNP Paribas Cardif Suretyship. The advisor discusses this with the customer and the advisor then uploads the purchase agreement. The customer then receives the application digitally from Woongarant and signs it via iDIN.
“Both we and Argenta are strong players in the market. This collaboration therefore feels very logical for us as a partnership insurer. Together we make the application process for a Suretyship for advisor and customer simpler, more efficient and more accessible.” said Marieke van Zuien, CCO BNP Paribas Cardif Belgium and the Netherlands, about the collaboration with Argenta.
Ronald Touwslager, CEO of Argenta Netherlands adds: “Argenta helps customers with pleasant living. The Suretyship is a logical addition to the mortgage process. This way, our advisors and customers quickly know where they stand. We are happy to work with BNP Paribas Cardif as a specialized partner for this.”
Oosterhout, 31 January 2022 – Tulp Hypotheken and BNP Paribas Cardif are collaborating. Advisors applying for a Tulp Mortgage are automatically informed of the possibility of applying for a BNP Paribas Cardif Surety Ship, quickly and easily. The BNP Paribas Cardif application process is completely digital, which is in line with the efficient mortgage process of Tulp Hypotheken.
With the interest rate offer from Tulp Hypotheken, the customer and advisor are immediately informed about the Surety Ship of BNP Paribas Cardif. The advisor then discusses this with the customer. Next, the advisor uploads the purchase agreement. After which the customer receives the application digitally and signs it via iDIN.
Marieke van Zuien, CCO BNP Paribas Cardif Belgium and the Netherlands:
“As the insurance partner, we like to work with strong players in the market. That is why I am very pleased that Tulp Hypotheken is bringing the Surety Ship to the attention through their interest offer. Adding this to their process makes it even easier, more accessible and more efficient for advisor and customer to request a Surety Ship.”
Robert van Lambalgen, Sales Manager of Tulp Hypotheken:
“With the interest rate offer of the new Tulp Complete Mortgage, the Surety Ship is brought to the attention of customer and adviser. With this mortgage, Tulp offers a product with excellent conditions. In addition, one of our main goals is to make it as easy as possible for advisors and clients. By pointing out the BNP Paribas Cardif Surety Ship in our process, we are one step closer to achieving this goal.”
Oosterhout, January 25, 2022 – Bidding without the condition of subject to funding is increasingly happening in this overheated housing market, which can cause major financial risks. Potential buyers try to get hold of their dream home by significantly overbidding and omitting the condition of subject to funding. Often without knowing for sure whether they will be able to get the mortgage. With ‘Bid with Certainty’, the customer can now bid safely and responsibly.
Financial setup before making a bid
By bringing the inventory of the feasibility and affordability of the mortgage forward in the process and because an accurate valuation of the property is made, the customer knows in advance how much he can responsibly bid on the home. Irresponsible bidding is prevented by explicitly stating the amount up to which BNP Paribas Cardif guarantees. Has the offer been accepted? Then the (bank) guarantee is provided within a few days after the purchase contract has been signed. Couldn’t the customer get a mortgage? In that case, BNP Paribas Cardif will reimburse the guaranteed amount.
Collaboration between De Hypotheker and BNP Paribas Cardif
After Bidding with Certainty has first been tested, the product is now available nationwide at all De Hypotheker branches. De Hypotheker provides independent financial advice and BNP Paribas Cardif provides the insurance and the (bank) guarantee. In addition, partners Hera Life and Woongarant play an important role in the application process.
Marieke van Zuien, Commercial Director BNP Paribas Cardif in Belgium and the Netherlands about Bidding with Certainty: “We want to help consumers make a better offer and thus realize their housing wish. For us, it was paramount that this is done in a safe and responsible way. By explicitly stating the amount up to which we guarantee, we prevent consumers from making irresponsible bids. This reduces the risks in the housing market. Our unique business model is anchored in partnerships. Co-creating with partners is in our DNA. This collaboration with De Hypotheker is therefore an excellent fit for us as a partnership insurer.”
Menno Luiten, Commercial Director De Hypotheker: “We are very pleased that together with our business partner BNP Paribas Cardif we can immediately respond to the changing needs of our customers in the current overcrowded housing market. Bidding with Certainty covers the financial risk of bidding without the condition of subject to funding. This makes Bidding with Certainty a unique offer in the mortgage market where the customer has a better chance of acquiring his dream home, without an increase in financial risk”.
Half of all Dutch households are financially vulnerable. No fewer than 75,000 households will run into payment problems within 3 months if an income were to be lost. Every year, 25,000 families run into financial difficulties due to the death of a breadwinner. Too often death, job loss or incapacity to work means that a household can quickly no longer afford the monthly costs. With more attention to their own finances, this is not always necessary, which is why Adfiz, BNP Paribas Cardif and Scildon have joined forces. Together with financial advisors, they will draw attention to these risks. With short videos, infographics and postcards, they want to help consumers start the conversation.
Money matters are in the top 3 of New Year’s resolutions every year. These are often very practical and tangible resolutions. The majority (41%) want to save for a buffer. Less unnecessary spending (36%) and being more frugal (35%) are also popular, according to research by Wijzer in Geldzaken. More is often needed to be financially prepared for impactful events. Sometimes the risks are so great that insurance is necessary. At the moment, this is not yet the case in many situations. For example, 60% of homeowners and 31% of tenants have insurance against the financial consequences of death. Less than 5% of homeowners have mortgage insurance against loss of income due to disability and unemployment, while the decline, despite the social safety net, may be too great to be able to continue to pay existing (fixed) monthly payments. This does not only apply to consumers with lower incomes. But especially among young dual earners who are currently often dependent on living space with (very) high rents.
Insight
Adfiz director Enno Wiertsema: “It is difficult for many people to properly estimate a real risk. And the solution requires more than online calculation tools or just taking out a policy. It really starts with awareness and insight. You have to dare to confront yourself and answer very honestly to questions such as: what do I want to be able to continue to do, how important is it that I can continue to live here, what income may be lost, how big is my buffer really. It makes no sense to count yourself rich, but how do you avoid arranging more buffers and insurance than necessary? Advisors are pre-eminently capable of holding up that mirror.”
The three organizations outline a 5-step plan for advisors and their clients to deal with these risks.
Step 1: Calculate what you need each month
Step 2: See what the financial consequences are if something happens to you
Step 3: See if you can catch it yourself and for how long
Step 4: Check whether you can (partially) insure it and what that costs
Step 5: Decide what is the best choice for you
High costs of living
Marieke van Zuien (CCO BNP Paribas Cardif Belgium and the Netherlands) points out the extra risks in the current housing market:
“Certainly now that there are often outbids and greater risks are taken, it is very important that consumers discuss the impactful risks with their adviser. The consequences of illness, death or unemployment can be enormous. Consumers often underestimate these risks. That is why it is essential to carefully determine with the adviser how the client prepares financially for those possible situations.”
More than a mortgage and insurance
Ingrid Oudhuis (Director of Businessline Particulier Scildon) points out the importance of a realistic view of risks:
“The social value of the financial advisor is that they also enter into discussions with their clients about financial subjects that clients themselves do not give enough thought to. The financial impact of death on the next of kin is one such topic. Whether it concerns young people in expensive rental homes, families in owner-occupied homes where the income of both partners is needed to pay the housing costs, the security of alimony or in a business setting the unexpected death of a partner in the company. In practice, it is the advisor who explains and advises clients to do what is sensible for them. Scildon believes in the added value of the advisor. With the step-by-step plan developed, the advisor can map out the financial risks together with his clients. And advise them on a suitable solution.”
Visit here for all information, video’s and infographics.
Oosterhout, 2 November 2021 – The renewed Hypotheek Aflos Verzekering from BNP Paribas Cardif can now also be applied for with an existing mortgage. In addition, the customer and advisor now choose the amount to be redeemed on the mortgage. With these changes, the insurance is now available to the majority of homeowners in the Netherlands.
More advice options
By also making the insurance available for existing mortgages, advisors can also offer the insurance to their customers at a later, quieter moment. In addition, the insurance is now also ideal for aftercare processes. Moreover, the advisor and customer now choose the level of the repayment of the mortgage in the event of disability. An amount can be chosen up to a maximum of 60% of the mortgage debt with a minimum of € 25.000 and a maximum of € 150.000.
More beneficial with a new mortgage
If you apply for the insurance no later than three months after the mortgage is passed on, you will receive a 15% discount on the premium for the disability coverage. With a new mortgage, the customer can also opt for additional coverage for unemployment.
The first repayment insurance for incapacity for work
In 2017, BNP Paribas Cardif introduced the Hypotheek Aflos Verzekering; the first repayment insurance for disability. The Hypotheek Aflos Verzekering pays off a large part of the mortgage at once if the customer becomes incapacitated for work. This lowers the mortgage, so that the monthly mortgage payments decrease, at a moment when the customer needs it the most. Find more information here.
