Soot & Ash Insurance: A Homeowner’s Cleanup & Claim Guide

Understanding the connection between soot and ash and homeowners insurance can be difficult. A typical policy will help you repair or replace anything inside the home damaged by soot and ash, but limitations exist.[1]

Some insurers exclude soot and ash damage from things like wildfires.[2] If your home doesn’t catch fire and burn, but debris drifts in through windows, doors, and air handling units, you may have to fight for appropriate payments. 

Soot and ash can spread throughout your home, even if you never see any flames. Handling these claims can be both complicated and time-consuming. 

The claims process usually involves notifying the insurance company, providing a list of what was damaged, working with an adjuster, and cleaning or replacing your items. Your resolution may take longer if the damage wasn’t caused by a fire inside your home. 

How Does Homeowners Insurance Deal With Soot & Ash?

Homeowners insurance is designed to provide protection from problems that are sudden, severe, and outside of your control. House fires typically fall into this category. 

Soot and ash can originate from several other incidents, however. Those claims can often be more complex. Let’s dig into a few examples. 

Your Home Caught Fire & Was Ruined 

Fires can spread quickly, and sometimes, they move so fast that the home just can’t be saved or requires significant repairs. A typical policy will replace or repair anything damaged by fire.[1] If the home’s loss is close to total, you may not need to haggle over soot and ash issues. You may need to rebuild instead. 

Your Home Caught Fire but Remained Standing 

After a house fire, soot and ash can drift into spaces that weren’t touched by the flames. Your insurance adjuster might focus exclusively on the area that’s charred, and that could mean skipping spaces that also need help. 

Here’s an example. After the Marshall Fire in Colorado in 2022, one family completed smoke and ash mitigation work, but they felt sick when they moved back in.[3] The family hired an outside appraiser and used that data to force the insurance company to do more cleaning.

Your Home Was Close to a Fire 

Some homeowners live in areas prone to wildfires, and others have careless neighbors that cause problems. Wind can stir up soot and ash, and it can blow into your home and cause damage. Winning a claim like this can take time. 

Here’s an example. During a fire in California in 2020, a homeowner was evacuated due to nearby peril. When she returned home, her insurance company said the home needed cleaning and an ozone odor treatment. She hired a public adjuster who recommended more extensive repairs, including insulation replacement. The homeowner’s insurance company said her coverage only applied to damage “visible to the unaided human eye,” and rejected the claim.[4]

Your Home Was Exposed to an Accident 

Most homeowners insurance policies will cover explosions caused by things like gas leaks.[1] Similarly, if your neighbors cause explosions, soot and ash from those fires are covered. However, if you’re experimenting with unauthorized chemicals and cause a fire, your company will likely reject your claim. 

These episodes are relatively rare, as most neighborhood explosions cause intense damage, rather than simple soot and ash. In a West Virginia episode, an unknown trigger caused an explosion that shook buildings, caused a fire, and sparked a gas leak. Nearby homeowners needed extensive help.[5] 

How to File a Claim for Soot and Ash Coverage 

Filing a homeowners insurance claim requires several steps, and completing all of them is critical. Here’s what you need to do. 

To check for ash and soot, use the following steps: 

• Put on a clean pair of gloves. 
• Open a small, prepackaged alcohol wipe. 
• Run that cloth over a horizontal, unfinished surface. 
• Look for evidence. 

Use this test in every room within your home, and document your findings. Take photos of visible soot and ash. Complete a detailed list of everything that seems damaged or ruined. 

Contact your insurance company and file a claim. Be prepared for questions about what happened, when it happened, and what you’ve noticed. The insurance company will send out an adjuster to visit the site and determine what should happen next. 

What Does Soot & Ash Cleanup Look Like? 

The work required to clean up soot and ash varies greatly, depending on the extent of the damage. The following chart can help you understand the differences:[6] 

Light Contamination	Moderate Damage	Heavy Damage
Open doors and windows.	Wear PPE while cleaning.	Choose a professional cleaning service.
Replace air filters and run in fan mode.	Do not run your furnace or turn on fans.	Move out of your home.
Use tabletop air filters and charcoal products to absorb smoke.	Clean all surfaces with a damp cloth, and vacuum with a HEPA-filtered machine.	Inspect the work before you move back in.
Wash anything that seems smelly or dirty.	Wash all linens, clothing, or other items with visible soot.	Contact your insurance company if you still notice damage inside your home.
	Wash all glassware in the dishwasher.

When Do You Need a Professional?

If your home is filled with heavy soot and ash, you’ll see plenty of debris on horizontal surfaces. You may see particles drifting through the air as well. In these cases, you’ll need a professional cleaning service to repair the damage.[6] 

Use this checklist to help you choose the right partner for the job:

• Ask for references. 
• Ask for proof of licensing, bonding, and liability insurance coverage. 
• Ask for certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Restoration Industry Association (RIA)
• Confirm your contractor will work with your insurance company. 
• Get a written estimate that details the scope of work and final prices. 
• Check those references and confirm the project went well. 
• Call your insurance company and ask about the contractor you’re considering. 

Tips to Help With a Soot & Ash Homeowners Insurance Claim 

Since soot and ash claims can be so complicated, it’s smart to plan ahead. The following tips can help to smooth the process: 

1. Gather Plenty of Evidence 

Perform wipe tests in every room, and augment your results with photographs.[6] Give all of this data to your insurance company when you file your claim. 

This step is time-consuming, and you may believe it’s the adjuster’s job to gather evidence. However, your reporting can help you demonstrate just how much was ruined. If the insurance company tries to reject your claim, you’ll need all the proof you can get. Gather evidence before you start any part of the cleanup process.

2. Stay in Touch 

Get the name and contact information of your insurance adjuster. Ask that person how often you’ll get updates, and call if they don’t come on time. But don’t pester your adjuster. This person is probably dealing with many other claims right now. Regular conversations can ensure that your project stays on track and all pertinent questions are answered. 

3. Keep All Receipts 

If you must move out of your home while the ash and soot cleanup happens, track all of your additional living expenses, including the following:

• Rent 
• Food 
• Toiletries and clothing 
• Expenses associated with your work commute 

Your policy will likely include additional living expenses (ALE), and you may need receipts to prove what you’ve spent. 

Can You Prevent Soot & Ash Damage?

Performing routine fire mitigation is a great way to prevent soot and ash. Don’t experiment with chemicals, be safe in the kitchen, watch candles carefully, and quit smoking. 

If a wildfire breaks out in your area, follow these tips to keep it out of your home:[6]

• Shut down your HVAC system at the breaker.
• Close all windows, doors, and skylights. 
• Seal vents and pet doors. 

Recover From Soot & Ash Damage 

Soot and ash can drift into your home from kitchen fires, forest blazes, and nearby explosions. These episodes aren’t generally easy to prevent, but your insurance company can help repair the damage. 

Read your policy carefully and understand what is (and is not) covered in the event of a fire. If you have any questions about your coverage or don’t think you have enough protection, call your insurance agent. Get specific with your questions. Fixing those problems now could help you stay safe when a fire starts.