Clearing the Air: How Home Insurance Covers Smoke Damage

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover smoke damage.[1] In most cases, you’re not required to buy a separate policy or rider to get the protection you need. The standard policy you’ve purchased for your home should help you. 

Understanding your policy and its limits is critical. While smoke damage is covered, your plan may not handle all of your expenses. If you know you’re at risk of fires and associated smoke, bumping up your coverage could be a smart idea. 

After a fire, taking swift action is essential. This article outlines the key steps to take after smoke damage occurs and how to engage with your insurance provider effectively.

What Smoke Damage Does a Policy Cover?

A standard homeowners insurance policy offers several levels of protection. You may need some or all of them after your home is inundated with smoke. 

A standard homeowners insurance policy includes coverage in the following categories:[2]

• Structure. Your policy should help to rebuild or repair your home and any associated outbuildings, including a garage or tool shed.
• Belongings. Items you own, like furniture or clothing, are typically included in your policy. 
• Living expenses. If you must live elsewhere while your home is fixed, your policy can help to cover the cost.

Read your policy carefully, and understand how much coverage you have within each category. You may find that you don’t have enough protection to help you if your home is filled with smoke. 

Where Did the Smoke Come From? 

Because smoke is considered a covered peril, it doesn’t really matter how it entered your home. Lisa Koosis, a former claims specialist, notes, “There is one notable exception. If you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, you may need separate wildfire coverage. In this case, smoke damage caused by a wildfire would also fall under that supplemental coverage rather than your standard homeowners policy.”

Other covered incidents can also involve smoke.[1] This chart can help you understand what smoky problems are and aren’t covered: 

	Covered	Not Covered
Kitchen fire	X
Wildfire	X
Electrical fire	X
Volcanos	X
Vandalism	X
Neglect		X

Insurance Claims Process for Smoke Damage 

When your home fills with smoke, you must work with your insurance company to get the claims process started and finished efficiently. 

Take these steps to file a claim:[3]

1. Contact your agent immediately once you’re safe and explain what happened. 
2. Make small, temporary repairs (like opening windows and doors) to prevent further damage. 
3. Take photos and videos of the damage. Don’t throw anything away.
4. File the claim either in person, over the phone, or via computer or mobile app.
5. Participate in a formal inspection with your insurance company’s adjuster. 

For a comprehensive overview of the insurance claims process, refer to our detailed guide on Understanding Home Insurance Claims.

How to Document Smoke Damage 

It’s critical to walk your property and document anything that’s been damaged and should be included within your claim. 

Documenting smoke damage isn’t always easy, especially if your home wasn’t actually burned. But most cases of smoke also cause ash and soot, and that you can document. 

To document the ash and soot in your home, follow these steps:[4]

1. Put on a clean pair of gloves. 
2. Open a prepackaged alcohol wipe. 
3. Swipe it across a horizontal surface. 
4. Take a picture of the ash on the wipe.

Go room by room, and conduct these swipe tests. Take notes and photos of every single result. You’ll share this testing with your insurance company, but ensure you keep a copy for yourself. When the insurance adjuster comes, they’ll likely be able to smell the lingering smoke and can document that as well.

What to Do to Prevent More Damage 

Your insurance company will send an adjuster to your home to check for smoke damage. Don’t make any permanent repairs or throw anything away until the adjuster has visited and says it’s safe for you to do so. 

Once you have the all-clear, you can take the following steps to help scrub the smoke from your home:[5]

• Assess your HVAC. Swap out the filter inside your machine. Keep changing filters monthly, as long as the smell persists. 
• Get some help. Buy a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter. Run it until the smell goes away. 
• Pull up debris. Use a vacuum to remove any ash from your floors, furniture, curtains, and belongings. 
• Wash up. Use soap and water to clean the surfaces. Place fabrics in the washing machine and dishes in the dishwasher. 

Use your nose to tell if smoke persists. If you can still smell it, you may need to repeat the steps above. Getting all of the particles out of your home can take time, especially if the damage is severe. 

How to Select a Restoration Partner 

If the smoke damage is significant, you may need a professional’s help. A contractor can clean much more thoroughly than the average homeowner, and these pros can do the work in much less time too. 

Follow these steps to pick a qualified professional:[4]

• Ask for references from the insurance company or friends and family, and follow up with them. 
• Ask about the contractor’s experience in working with your insurance company. 
• Ask for certifications, licensing, and insurance information.
• Get an estimate and written contract, detailing the exact work that will be done. 

Some insurance companies won’t pay contractors directly, but others will allow you to assign benefits to a contractor so they can work directly with the insurer. Ensure that you understand how your insurance company will handle your claim and the payment process before you sign any contracts or hire anyone to do the work. 

Recover From Smoke Damage 

When smoke fills your home, it’s critical to take action. Contact your insurance company and explain that you need to file a claim. Work closely with your agent and adjuster and ensure that they understand the scope of the damage and what you’ve lost. Together, you can collaborate on a payout process and begin to recover from the smoke damage.