Explainer Fire damage · 4 min by Krantz & Polak
Firefighting water and consequential damage after a fire
The extinguishing, the clearance and the aftermath often cause more damage than the fire itself. What does this include?
The consequences of a fire extend beyond the burnt belongings. A large part of the damage arises during and after the extinguishing.
Firefighting water damage
Extinguishing a fire releases large quantities of water. It seeps through ceilings and floors, damages the storeys below and can lead to damp and mould problems. Firefighting water damage is a separate and often substantial item.
Consequential damage
Consequential damage covers everything that flows indirectly from the fire, such as:
- Temporary accommodation because the home is uninhabitable.
- Storage of salvaged belongings.
- Clearance, demolition and decontamination costs.
- Restoration of utilities.
Rebuilding value for buildings damage
In the case of major fire damage to the building, everything turns on the rebuilding value: what does it cost to rebuild the same property? Construction costs may have risen considerably since the policy was taken out — a point of attention in the assessment.
Please note — Consequential damage is easily underestimated in a hastily prepared first report. Take it into account from the very beginning.
When is your own expert a wise choice?
Not for every minor claim — but in these situations your own counter-expert almost always achieves a better and fairer outcome:
- The damage is substantial (guideline: from around € 5,000).
- The insurer doubts your account or accuses you of intent, negligence or fraud.
- The cause or circumstances are unclear — often with fire or water damage.
- An exclusion or deduction is invoked that you do not understand.
- There is underinsurance, or discussion about current value and depreciation.
- There is business interruption loss on top of the damage to property or contents.
- Your claim has been (partly) rejected.
- Before you sign — or before the insurer's expert records the damage one-sidedly.
Not sure whether it makes sense in your case? A first check costs nothing.
What you can do next
Three pages with a concrete answer to common follow-up questions.
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What does a counter-expert cost?
Answer in 1 minute, with verbatim quotes from Kifid and the Dutch Consumer Association.
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How do we work?
Our step-by-step approach — from first inspection to final settlement.
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Why 100% independent?
Comparison with hybrid agencies + 3 verification questions you can ask.
Our independence
Also relevant
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Soot and smoke damage: the invisible damage after a fire
After a fire, far from all the damage is visible. Soot and smoke creep into everything and are often underestimated.
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Buildings or contents — what falls under which?
The distinction determines which insurance pays out. A simple rule of thumb gets you started.
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Mould and hidden moisture after water damage
Water drains away where you cannot see it. Hidden moisture and mould sometimes only surface weeks later.
Just had damage?
Call us or report your claim online. We usually respond within 24 hours.