Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Smoke and Ash Damage from a Wildfire?
Smoke and ash from a wildfire may not look that harmful, but they certainly cause plenty of damage. But is it covered by your home insurance?
Table of Contents
Whether a house is consumed or damaged by the flames or not, nearby wildfires can cause damage from smoke and ash.
So, is that damage covered by your home insurance policy? It depends on your coverage. Here's the rundown on smoke and ash insurance claims, with a little help from
car insurance
comparison and broker app
Jerry
.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
Are you covered for smoke and ash damage?
Smoke can seep through fresh air intakes to permeate your home. The stucco, siding, and shingles can be covered in ash and embers that permanently impair their ability to protect your home — and they may never shed the smoky odor.
一般来说,任何标准房屋保险政策
covers you against fire damage
, including from wildfires, also includes
coverage for smoke and ash damage
. Common coverage components include fire damage, damage from smoke and ash to your home and outbuildings, your belongings, additional living expenses during remediation, and home-based business property if applicable.
How much are you covered for? When it comes to smoke damage remediation or damage from ash and soot from a wildfire, you should check your homeowners insurance policy for coverage limits.
Will smoke damage be repaired?
When it’s safe to return home, you’ll need to file an insurance claim and an adjuster will inspect your property. They’ll determine what’s been damaged from smoke and ash, and they’ll likely ask you to provide an inventory list of your belongings that have been affected.
With wildfire smoke and ash, damage may not be visible. Porous or soft items like clothes, furniture, and flooring may be able to be laundered, and the adjuster will often have a remediation team attempt to clean items.
If cleaning simply isn’t possible, isn’t successful, or something is physically damaged (ash burns on vinyl siding, for example) your insurer will replace the damage to restore it to a condition similar to before the wildfire happened.
Don’t throw anything away until it’s been assessed by the adjuster and you’ve been given the all-clear to toss it.
How to clean smoke and ash damage
If you don’t have home insurance, have limited coverage, or you otherwise find yourself in a position to clean up the damage, here are some tips.
Cleaning up ash
-
Wear an N95 mask or better, fitted for proper filtration against harmful ash particles.
-
Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth, trying to prevent particles from going airborne.
-
Wash floors with a wet mop.
-
Do not use a vacuum unless it’s equipped with a true HEPA filter.
-
Protect your skin and eyes from contact with ash as it can be an irritant.
Cleaning smoke damage
-
Lightly vacuum affected surfaces with a soft-bristled brush attachment.
-
Wash hard surfaces with warm soapy water to remove visible smoke residue.
-
Wash surfaces a second time using a remediation cleaner like trisodium phosphate (TSP).
-
Launder soft items with an odor eliminator.
If your home insurance doesn't quite cover everything, don't panic! You can still get a good deal on coverage that's perfect for you. For the cheapest offer, try bundling home and
car insurance
with
Jerry
. If you’re looking for a new insurance company, Jerry can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of all the paperwork and phone calls and can even assist you in canceling your old policy!
RECOMMENDED
Saved $725annually
Saved $834annually
Saved $668annually
Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.
Judith
switched to
Progressive
Saved $725annually
Alexander
switched to
Travelers
Saved $834annually
Annie
switched to
Nationwide
Saved $668annually
Check if you are overpaying for car insurance.
No phone calls. No long forms. Quotes from 50+ insurance companies.
Find insurance savings (100% Free)
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Compare Car Insurance Quotes For Free
Jerry automatically shops for your insurance before every renewal. Members save $872/year.
You might also be interested
.jpg&w=3840&q=75){kind=avatar}
