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Damage caused by water

Water damage: not every leak is automatically covered.

Water damage is deceptive. What looks like a single wet floor is often a rotten joist beneath it. We make sure the damage is fully recorded — including what you cannot yet see — and that the policy is applied correctly.

Good to know

What Krantz & Polak does in a water damage claim

Water damage is deceptive. What is visible is usually not the full extent of the damage. Moisture penetrates insulation, plasterboard, joists and skirting. Only after drying does it become clear what needs to be repaired — or worse: what needs to be replaced.

We make sure the picture of the damage is complete before any settlement figure is put on the table. And we read the policy more carefully than the insurer expects.

Damage assessment (visible and hidden)

We map not just the wet surfaces, but also what lies beneath. With moisture readings, thermographic imaging or samples of insulation material, we can determine where water is still present. That prevents surprises later — when the settlement has been made and only then does it become clear that the damage extends further.

Cause and cover

The cause of the water damage determines whether the policy responds. Leakage from an installation, a blocked gutter, ingress of moisture, precipitation, groundwater — each type has its own policy context. We establish the cause correctly in technical terms and test it against your policy conditions.

Policy conditions under scrutiny

Many insurers rely on exclusions that are not necessarily legally tenable — think of broad “gradually occurring damage” clauses. We know where the limits lie, and where they have been stretched in earlier cases.

Business interruption and standstill

For SME clients: water damage to business premises often means a standstill. We assess not just the property damage, but also business interruption, loss of operating income and the restoration of customer and supplier contracts.

Common points of dispute

  • “Gradually occurring”: a common defence by insurers. That exclusion frequently does not survive judicial scrutiny.
  • Own fault / maintenance: the argument that you “should have known” that a pipe was leaking. The insurer must produce evidence for this — assumption is not enough.
  • Replacement versus repair: with water damage to parquet or laminate flooring, partial repair is almost always inferior to replacement. We substantiate why.
  • Habitability: temporary accommodation may be insured. It is often not paid out automatically.
  • Insured interest for tenants: tenants are often more extensively insured than they realise (or have arranged themselves). We find out what cover applies.

What you can do

  1. 1 Stop the source of water if it is safe to do so (main valve, gutter, leaking hose).
  2. 2 Take photographs and videos straight away — of the damage and of the water level.
  3. 3 Move valuables out of the water; do not throw anything away before the damage has been assessed.
  4. 4 Engage your own counter-expert before the insurer sends its expert.
  5. 5 Keep all receipts for emergency repairs, drying equipment and clearance work.

Frequently asked

My insurer says 'gradual damage'. What now?

Insurers frequently invoke 'gradually occurring damage' to avoid paying out. Whether that is justified depends on the cause, the type of policy and the legal assessment of that exclusion. We test whether the defence stands up.

Is groundwater or rainwater covered?

It varies significantly by policy. Some policies exclude 'water entering from outside', others specifically cover precipitation damage. We read your policy carefully before challenging the insurer.

What if I dry things out myself first?

Only do so where necessary to prevent further damage, and document everything with photographs and receipts. Otherwise the insurer may later claim that the extent of the damage can no longer be established.

How quickly can you be on site?

With water damage every day counts — mould begins within 48 hours. We usually attend within 24 hours. Call +31 30 662 2424 or report your claim online.

Also relevant

Other topics that may apply.

Just had damage?

Call us or report your claim online. We usually respond within 24 hours.

Report damage +31 30 662 2424