Smoke damage insurance claims: when to seek help

Surprisingly, when a fire breaks out in a property, one of the biggest risks to life and property is from the smoke and soot it emits. Smoke damage can be devastating and the effects aren’t always visible at first sight, which is why you may need to call in a professional. Here’s what you need to know about smoke damage insurance claims and when to seek help.

Making a smoke damage insurance claim

If you’ve suffered a fire in your home, it may not just be the fire itself that has caused damage. Electrical damage, structural damage and trapped smoke are just some of the ways that smoke can create hazards in your home. Some will be noticeable, but many cases of smoke damage are not.

As with any kind of insurance claim, you should do your best to make the property safe and secure before doing anything else. We would always recommend safety checks and actions following a fire to be carried out by a professional, regulated restoration company. They will have the appropriate breathing apparatus and training to secure your home safely. They will make sure there is no further risk to the contents of your home or anybody who needs to go back inside.

For complicated claims, your insurer will most likely send a Loss Adjuster to assess the damage to the property. The Loss Adjuster will be looking at the extent of the damage and how adequately the property has been insured to cover the damage. Make sure you check your home insurance policy so you know what rights you have regarding smoke damage. A lot of people find even small tasks overwhelming following something as traumatising as a fire. Our Loss Assessors are here if you need someone to help read through your insurance policy wording.

Getting help with a smoke damage insurance claim

If the damage is extensive or affects a complicated part of the property, you may want to enlist the help of an outside party to help manage the insurance claim. A Loss Assessor, such as those at Morgan Clark, can help you through every step of the insurance claims process, making sure you’re receiving the help you’re entitled to. We will liaise with the insurance company and Loss Adjuster on your behalf, ensuring that the process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.

If the damage is significant – or you fear there might be more damage than the eye can see – using a Loss Assessor can be the difference that helps you get your life back on track as quickly as possible. Take a look at our case studies from previous claims to see how we’ve helped homeowners like you get the help and compensation they were due following their fire and smoke insurance claims.

Our experienced team of Loss Assessors can make sure you and your property get the attention you need – no matter how large the fire and the subsequent smoke damage. As well as handling the fire and smoke insurance claim on your behalf, we can help appoint the experts required so you know your home is in the hands of someone who has your best interests at heart. Get in touch today to find out more.