By SPJ Adjusting Services | Insurance Appraisals
Dealing with Wildfire Smoke Damage Claims: A Necessity for California and Texas Homeowners to Be Aware Of
Despite never having a wildfire touch their property, the smoke from an unrelated wildfire can drift hundreds of miles and make its way into homes. All across California, and drifting on into Texas, wildfire smoke damage claims are on the verge of becoming an everyday occurrence. And so, more and more people are finding themselves asking:
“Will my insurance cover smoke damage even if I cannot see it?”
At SPJ Adjusting, we work with policyholders in Texas and California who are confronted with exactly that dilemma. Recent court rulings have clouded the issue within California about what constitutes “physical damage,” but the answer is really very simple:
Smoke damage is a listed peril, and it is completely covered if it can be ascertained.
Wildfire Smoke Damage Claims: The hard part isn’t proving that there’s damage from smoke it’s proving that there’s smoke, particularly if it isn’t visible. Below, this guide will explain things about wildfire smoke claims that policyholders should know so they can be assured that they’re getting a fair deal on getting their claims processed and approved by SPJ Adjusting.
The Reality About Smoky Damage and Its Unexpected Dangers in Wildfire Smoke Damage Claims
During a house fire, it would be
A common reason that claims for damages from wildfire smoke on property usually do not succeed is that people underestimate what constitutes smoke.
Smoke doesn’t merely comprise ash. It contains:
- Soot and fine particulate matter
- char fragments
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Heavy metals and combustion byproducts
These microscopic contaminants include:
- Incorporated into porous materials
- These particles were then incorporated
- Settle inside insulation
- Moving via ventilation systems
- Accumulate inside attics
- Contaminate clothing, furniture, and contents
As we have been advising our clients at SPJ Adjusting on a
“‘Smoke particles are smaller than dust so if dust can get into your home, smoke can too.’”
A Recent California Case: What Really Happened
There have been
A recent case made it widely believe that a smoke claim would no longer be legitimate. Actually, it became invalid because:
Homeowners did not provide scientific testing
There was no physical evidence offered
- staining, corrosion, residue.
Cleaning was not complete
There was no proper documentation
It clearly was not a scientific decision on the issue of whether smoke damages property.
This was more of a case with low-quality evidence.
And it is exactly for these reasons that SPJ Adjusting stresses the importance of documenting Wildfire Smoke Damage Claims.
How the Insurance Industry Actually Looks at Smoke Damage
Although it would appear that some insurance carriers neglect the extent of smoke damages, it is refuted within their own literature. It should not be overlooked that carriers such as Chubb, as well as industrial safety associations, are aware of
Industry guidance supports:
- Invisible smoke pollution is damaging
- Smell cannot be quantified as a
- HVAC systems distribute contaminants
- Air and surface testing are required
It may include:
- Total particulate matter (TPM)
- Surface swabs
- VOC Analysis
- Particle identification
- Wildfire-specific chemical markers
A significant number of policyholders, particularly people with lung and immunological disorders, may be at risk even after the end of the wildfire.
“Most insurance contracts explicitly provide:”
“Smoke from a hostile fire” represents an identifiable covered cause of loss.
But it still requires proof.
How Texas Property Owners Should Take Note of the California Decision
Why Texas Homeowners Should
Although it happened in California, it affects Texas as well. As a fact, it usually occurs that Texas suffers from drifting wildfire smoke from the western states, and it also experiences serious wildfire occurrences.
Damage claims for forest fire smoke in Texas might be confronted with similar problems because:
- Both California and Texas have large
- Denial Reasoning Already Used Across Country
A denial for a lack of evidence on a California claim might allow a similar attempt on a Texas claim.
- Vulnerabilities in homes in Texas are similar as well.
It enters through:
- Gable Vents
- Soff
- Ridge Vents
- Foundation Openings
- Garages and Utility Rooms
These entry points correspond with California homes.
- Wildfire seasons in Texas are rising
Drought cycles result in more forest fires and more distant smoke contamination.
Effective Methodologies Employed By SPJ Adjusting To Document Smoke Damage
Denials occur mostly because these companies rely on mere visualization.
We do far more.
- Full Property Walk-through
We check all overlooked regions:
- Attics
- Layers of insulation
- Crawl spaces
- Utility Rooms
- HVAC Closets
- Garages
- Physical Indicators
We record:
- Micro
- Soot residue
- HVAC Filter Dyeing
- Debris around Vents
- Independent Environmental Testing
We work with qualified professionals on:
- Surface sampling
- Particle identification Particle
- VOC testing
- Wildfire Contamination Screening
- Smoke Mapping
We scientifically document how the smoke passed through your dwelling.
- Complete Claim Package
We compile:
- Test Results
- Photographs
- Expert guidelines
- Cleaning and remediation estimates
It is the degree of proof that cannot be disputed by an insurer.
Invisible Smoke Damage Has Very Real Effects
This invisible type of
Homes may be clean but have deadly particles causing:
- Respiratory problems
- Cancer
- Odor persistence
- Respiratory Irritation
- Headaches and eye problems
- Duct Contamination
- Continued circulation of soot
Contamination claims involving HVAC systems are a disputed issue with wildfire smoke damage claims, but usually, once testing confirms presence, carriers pay.
How SPJ Adjusting Assists California and Texas Policyholders
SPJ Adjusting handles:
- Civic Adjusting
- Appraisals involving
- Umpire services
- Fire, soot, and smoke liability claims
- Roof, hail, hurricane, and floodlosses
We have knowledge about regional materials and wildfire data from Texas and California, so claims are properly documented and secured.
What You Should Do When You Notice That Your Property Has Been Damaged By Smoke
As
Do not clean anything before documenting.
Replace your air conditioning filter, but store your old one. This will be a big source of evidence.
Photograph any residue, dust, or unusual pattern visible.
It is recommended that environmental testing be scheduled
Note: Contact SPJ Adjusting for a professional evaluation.
Conclusion
Nevertheless, the California case failed to abate smoke coverage.
It only proved one thing:
As wildfire smoke damage insurance claims can be very costly, it becomes necessary for a
Science, industry standards, and policy terminology agree on:
Science:
Industry standards:
Damage due to smoke is a covered loss if you have proof.
And then there’s SPJ Adjusting, so you’re
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