4 Facts About Commercial Smoke Damage Coverage

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage in Arlington, LA.

Facts About Smoke Damage

An owner of a business or commercial property that has recently suffered a fire may be unsure about the types of damage commercial property insurance covers. Here are four facts about smoke damage coverage.

1. Smoke Remediation Is Usually Covered

Many policies cover smoke cleaning due to fire or another covered peril. If smoke or soot damage results from some other source, it may be more difficult to file a claim. Some commercial property insurance providers require proof of damage. It is more likely that a policy will cover cleanup and restoration than replacement.

2. Damage Caused By a Nearby Fire Should Be Covered

If your business has not suffered a fire but has smoke damage from an incident nearby, this should also be covered by your insurance. Once again, it may be necessary to demonstrate the severity of damage.

3. A Variety of Treatments Are Available

A smoke cleanup service can recommend the best treatment method for a commercial property. If a brief evacuation is possible, an ozone machine or thermal fogging treatment can achieve noticeable results in the least amount of time. If occupants must remain in the structure during any part of treatment, slower options such as a hydroxyl generator or vapor modification may be ideal.

4. You Should Have Physical Proof and Documentation

If an insurer is reluctant to cover smoke odor remediation, it may be beneficial to retain evidence of damage. You may want to hold off on scheduling cleaning until an adjuster can visit or keep at least one of each damaged type of item if you pursue treatment and reimbursement.

These four facts can help business and commercial property owners make more informed decisions when dealing with smoke damage at a structure in Arlington, LA. Be sure to check policy limits and provide insurers with an estimate from a reputable smoke cleaning service.