smoke damage - advice on home insurance claim

megan25

Hi,

I'm just looking for any advice from anyone who knows anything about insurance.

I had a fire in my kitchen on Wednesday. My kitchen was quite badly damaged by fire and heavy smoke. My livingroom stinks of smoke and there is a layer of black soot over a lot of my furniture. I'm just really confused about what I should try and get my insurance to pay for.

They've hired a cleaning company that is going to take away my livingroom furniture to try to clean it and get the smoke smells out of it. They're also going to take the clothes that were in my living room as well as soft furnishings. Anything they can't clean, they've said they'll replace.

However I also have many items such as books, videos, bags, etc, that were in my livingroom and all stink of smoke. My entire house also smells of smoke – although I can't quite be sure if the smell is simply from the walls/floors/ etc, or if it is also coming from my furnishings/clothes, etc.

I've never claimed any insurance before and I don't really have a clue what I should be claiming for and what I shouldn't. Some people have told me I should tell the insurance I want basically everything in my house either cleaned or replaced because if I don't I'll be stuck with lots of stuff that stinks of smoke. I don't really know what smoke damage does other than make stuff look dirty and smell (and the internet has been strangely unhelpful!), but I've been told it can make furnishings/books etc become mouldy. Is the fact things smell of smoke enough to get them replaced? Could the smoke cause further damage?

Some people seem to think we should just see what the insurance company offer us, but we're quite certain they'll try and give us as little as possible and we just want to hear from anyone who has experienced this kind of claim or who has any knowledge about this area. Any advice would be much appreciated.


Megan.

Alias_Omega

Time to dig that little book they give you when you take the cover out, this explains all what they cover, and wont cover.

marina6175

HI, I AM IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT AS YOUSELF, fire last week in kitchen, house covered in soot. i know i can claim for clothing, carpets, curtains, settee and soft furnishings in addition to fire damaged goods.
are books and electrical items covered? .
i dunno what i am entitled to claim for at all, sorry cant help u much, just wondered if u had any luck or any more info. my policy tells me nothing except that smoke damage is included.