By SPJ Adjusting Services | Insurance Appraisals
Smoke Damage Insurance Claims: Wildfires, industrial fires, and the fires in adjacent structures are not unusual occurrences in Texas. El Paso, TX, has been seeing smoke damage claims on the increase, even in the absence of the actual flames’ reaching the structure. Unfortunately, more often than not, insurance carriers contest these claims on the grounds of the absence of ‘physical damage.’ At SPJ Adjusting, we encounter this defense frequently, and we understand why it is not valid.
Smoke Damage Insurance: There’s More to It Than Meets the Eye
Smoke can cause harm to a building even if it does not have to burn down. Tiny particles, which result from fires, can find their way into heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning units, insulation, walls, textiles, electrical components, and roofing materials. Even in West Texas, which includes El Paso, a region where low humidity, dust, and high winds make building materials vulnerable, smoke can deteriorate a building.
In insurance terms, this contamination may affect the function of the property. If a structure is rendered not safe, not sanitary, and not functional anymore, physical damage has been done even if not visible to the naked eye.
What Insurance Firms Want “Proof” Of
The insurance companies are increasingly demanding scientific proof before they settle smoke damage claims. The adjusters could confirm the smell but refuse to honor the claim without scientific tests. This is where policyholders often make costly errors prematurely cleaning or disposing of damaged items before scientific evidence can confirm the claim.
In SPJ Adjusting’s experience in El Paso, we recommend that El Paso homeowners approach smoke residue as they would forensic evidence. Air analyses, surface material analysis, odor records, and expert testimony may be the difference between winning or losing a claim.
Testing Prior To Cleanup is Imperative
Every person
After the particles of smoke are eliminated, the chance of proving damage could be lost once and for all. We will work together with qualified environmental specialists to establish:
Soot and Ash Composition
In the
Chemical residues from burnt materials
Airborne particulates that impact health
Damage caused by roofing and insulation
These results provide evidence to substantiate arguments for coverage during claim negotiation or umpire arbitration.
“Smoke Damage Usually Affects Other Claims” Lee R.
“Smoke is seldom alone.” Within El Paso claims, it is common to find smoke damages associated with each of the following:
Roof damage claims
Hail and wind storms
Fire Suppression Water Damage
Business Interruption Losses
Policyholders purchasing lower-priced insurance may also experience some unexpected gaps in cover. SPJ Adjusting assists their clients in understanding the exclusions, deductibles, and issues of valuation prior to the insurer applying them.
Expertise of SPJ Adjusting Company
We work to assist policyholders, attorneys, and contractors in Texas with our public adjusting, insurance appraisal, and umpire work. We don’t work with guesses instead, we work with evidence, policy language, and experience. If your El Paso property has suffered smoke damage, don’t wait for an insurance adjuster to define your loss.
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