Explainer First aid · 4 min by Krantz & Polak
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?
Reporting the damage is an important moment. What you say and pass on forms the basis of the entire file.
How to report
Report it, as a rule, within a few days, via the insurance app, the online portal or your intermediary. The sooner the better — certainly with water, where delay increases the damage.
What to pass on
- The date and time of the event.
- The suspected cause — keep it factual and do not speculate.
- The measures you took to limit the damage.
- A provisional, rough estimate of the loss.
Always ask for
- A claim number and written confirmation.
- The name of your contact person.
- Whether an expert will be coming, and when.
Important — Provide honest but factual information. Make no statements about fault or cover; that is for the assessment. Stick to what you know for certain.
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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Do not be too quick to sign your agreement
A signature under the loss assessment often closes the door. Why it is better to pause for a moment.
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What exactly does the insurer's expert do?
Understand the role of the loss adjuster who comes to visit, so you know what to expect from that conversation.
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How long may the insurer take over your claim?
There is no hard statutory deadline for handling a claim, but there are limits. And watch the three-year limitation period.
Just had damage?
Call us or report your claim online. We usually respond within 24 hours.