The NIVRE is the Dutch Institute for Registered Experts. It is the national umbrella organization for loss adjusters. As an expert, you can register in various fields (Fire, Marine, Motor Vehicles, etc.). Each field has its own board that represents the interests of registered loss adjusters across the country.
The board is responsible for things like providing continuing education opportunities, training programs, making agreements with (the Dutch Association of) insurers, drafting protocols for fieldwork, and much more. All of this is aimed at maintaining quality and enabling loss adjusters to perform their work as effectively as possible.
The Fire Damage sector board of NIVRE has a new board member: Jeffry Middelveld. With his extensive experience in loss adjusting and technical insurance, he brings not only a wealth of expertise but also a clear vision for the future of the profession. NIVRE asked him a few questions.
Jeffry’s career began under the hood. Trained as an automotive technician, he worked for several years at a brand dealership. However, when seeking a new challenge within the automotive sector, he unexpectedly entered the loss adjusting field. “Like many in this profession, I stumbled into it by chance,” he says. “A family member worked in claims handling and asked if it might be something for me. I sent out open applications and eventually got an opportunity at a brokerage firm as an administrative assistant in the claims department.”
What started with drafting letters and processing claims evolved over twenty years into an impressive career. Jeffry worked at various underwriting agencies and brokers as a fraud liaison, claims handler, and senior claims handler, primarily in property and technical insurance. In the evenings, he pursued various insurance courses and even contributed to the development of programs at NIBE-SVV. Since 2020, he has been a loss adjuster at Woodgate & Clark, specializing in technical claims, and is also part of the management team.
When asked which qualities best describe him, Jeffry responds: “Independent, persistent, eager to learn, interested in people, and a bit headstrong.” But which of these is most useful in his work? “It’s the combination of traits that matters, but if I had to choose one, it would be an interest in people. Interaction and communication are the most important aspects of our profession.”
This personal aspect also reflects in his vision for the industry. “Sometimes I feel that it’s forgotten that ultimately it’s about people, not just numbers, time, or invoices. Perhaps we should more often consider that a loss has a significant impact on the affected individual, and that all other parties involved – loss adjusters, repairers – are also just people. The saying ‘hard on the content and soft on the person’ should be applied more frequently.”
Since January 2025, Jeffry has been part of the Fire Damage sector board. “Due to the departure of several board members, I was approached to see if I was interested. I didn’t have to think long and immediately said yes. It felt like a great opportunity to contribute my experience from various perspectives to the further development and professionalization of our profession.”
Jeffry obtained his NIVRE title in 2023, exactly three years after becoming a loss adjuster. “For me, that was a logical step. If you work as a loss adjuster, it’s just part of the job to develop yourself and keep your knowledge up to date. NIVRE provides the right structure for that.”
With his board position, Jeffry aims not only to contribute to the professionalization of the field but also to ensure that the profession of loss adjuster remains attractive to a younger generation. “I hope that as a sector board, we can make this profession more known to a younger audience. This way, even in the future, people affected by a loss can rely on expert loss adjusters.”
Jeffry looks forward to working with his fellow board members and the constituency. “We have a great challenge ahead to further develop the sector. And if we do that with the right balance between professionalism and humanity, we’ll go a long way.”
The above article is an English translation of the original Dutch version published by NIVRE. Read the Dutch article.
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