Explainer First aid · 4 min by Krantz & Polak
Documenting your loss: photographs, lists and receipts
Good evidence is worth its weight in gold. This is how to record your loss so that nothing is overlooked.
The better you record the damage, the stronger your position. Evidence is easiest to gather straight away — later is often too late.
Create an overview with images
- Photographs and videos of every damaged room, from overview to detail.
- Record the cause as well (the burst pipe, the seat of the fire) if it is safe to do so.
- Keep damaged belongings until they have been inspected; do not throw anything away too soon.
Draw up a loss list
Note for each item: a description, the approximate year of purchase, the purchase price and its current condition. Purchase receipts, bank statements, guarantee certificates and old photographs in which items happen to be visible help enormously in substantiating the claim.
Keep a log
Write down who you spoke to and when (insurer, expert, repair company) and what was agreed. Confirm important agreements briefly by email, so that everything is in black and white.
Tip — Keep everything in a single digital folder (photographs, receipts, emails). A counter-expert can later get straight to work with it.
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
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The first 24 hours after fire or water damage
A clear step-by-step plan for the first, chaotic hours. What do you do first, and what can wait a little?
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Checklist: which documents belong in your file
A complete, well-organised file is your strongest asset. This checklist helps you forget nothing.
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Reporting damage to your insurer
How do you report the damage, what do you pass on, and what should you watch out for in that first contact?
Just had damage?
Call us or report your claim online. We usually respond within 24 hours.