Explainer The process · 4 min by Krantz & Polak
Buildings or contents — what falls under which?
The distinction determines which insurance pays out. A simple rule of thumb gets you started.
In residential losses, much revolves around two insurances: buildings insurance and contents insurance. What falls under which determines which policy pays.
The rule of thumb
Buildings = everything fixed to the building. Contents = everything that would come along if you turned the house upside down and shook it out.
Buildings (the structure)
- Walls, roof, floors and foundations.
- Kitchen and bathroom fittings, tiling, pipework.
- Fitted floor coverings that are glued down, central-heating installation.
Contents (the loose belongings)
- Furniture, curtains, clothing, electronics.
- Jewellery and other valuable loose items.
- Loose-laid floor coverings and free-standing lamps.
Please note — In borderline cases (such as a built-in wardrobe or solar panels) it differs from policy to policy. In fire and water losses the two often run together — a proper assessment separates them carefully.
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.
Read about costs -
How do we work?
Our step-by-step approach — from first inspection to final settlement.
See our approach -
Why 100% independent?
Comparison with hybrid agencies + 3 verification questions you can ask.
Our independence
Also relevant
-
Replacement-as-new value, current value and depreciation
Why you sometimes receive less than the as-new price, and what the widely used 40% rule means.
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Underinsurance and the guarantee against underinsurance
If your sum insured is too low, you are only reimbursed part of your loss. This is how the proportionality rule works.
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Which water damage is usually insured — and which is not?
The cause often determines everything. A clear overview of what is generally reimbursed — and what is not.
Just had damage?
Call us or report your claim online. We usually respond within 24 hours.