After a house fire: first steps
Fire damage restoration in Bothell begins only once the fire department says the building is safe to enter. Then document the damage, call your insurer, and arrange board-up, smoke and soot cleanup, and drying of the water left from firefighting.
- Wait for clearance. Enter only when firefighters say the building is safe.
- Document the damage. Photograph every room, including areas with only smoke or soot.
- Call your insurer. Ask for a full smoke damage inspection.
- Secure the home. Broken windows and roof openings are usually boarded up or tarped.
- Dry the water. Water used to put out the fire needs extraction and drying like any other water damage.
Source: WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Smoke damage and your homeowner or renter insurance.
Smoke and soot: why the damage spreads
Smoke travels far beyond the room where a fire started. The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner describes smoke damage as harm from soot, ash and residues that can affect a home's structure, air quality and belongings, and notes it can be progressive.
Ask the adjuster to inspect attics, crawl spaces, insulation and the HVAC system, not only the rooms you can see.
Source: WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Smoke damage and your homeowner or renter insurance.
Fire insurance in Washington
| Coverage | What it usually pays for |
|---|---|
| Fire damage | Included in all standard homeowner policies in Washington |
| Smoke, soot and fumes | Usually covered, under the same coverage as fire |
| Dwelling (Coverage A) | Repairing or rebuilding the main structure |
| Personal property (Coverage C) | Furniture, electronics, appliances and belongings |
| Loss of use (Coverage D) | Extra cost of living elsewhere during repairs |
You can choose your own contractor. For insurance questions, the Commissioner's Consumer Advocacy line is 800-562-6900.
Sources: WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Wildfires and insurance; WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Smoke damage and your homeowner or renter insurance; WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Filing a homeowner insurance claim; WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Leaks, water damage and mold.
Keep, clean or throw out?
Heat, smoke and soot reach more than you'd think. Some things clean up well; others aren't worth the risk. When in doubt, photograph it, list it for your adjuster, and ask before you toss it.
| Usually thrown out | Often professionally cleaned |
|---|---|
| Food, including sealed items, exposed to heat, smoke or soot | Hard furniture and cabinets |
| Medicines and cosmetics exposed to heat | Clothing and linens with smoke odor |
| Burned or melted items | Dishes, glass and metal |
| Wet insulation and drywall | Walls and ceilings with light soot |
Smoke odor and your heating system
Smoke gets pulled into ductwork, and a running furnace can spread soot and odor to rooms the fire never touched. Keep the system off until it's inspected, replace the filter, and ask your adjuster to include the HVAC system in the smoke damage inspection, as Washington's Insurance Commissioner suggests.
Source: WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner: Smoke damage and your homeowner or renter insurance.
What fire damage restoration involves
- Assessment. Fire, smoke and water damage are inspected room by room.
- Board-up. Openings are secured against weather and entry.
- Water removal. Firefighting water is extracted and the structure dried.
- Smoke and soot cleaning. Surfaces, contents and air are cleaned and deodorized.
- Rebuild. Damaged materials are repaired or replaced.
Check any contractor on the Washington L&I Verify tool before you sign. For leaks and burst pipes, see water damage restoration in Bothell. For coverage questions beyond fire, see water damage insurance in Washington.
Fire damage questions
Does homeowners insurance in Washington cover fire damage?
Yes, in standard policies. Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner says all standard homeowner policies in the state include protection against fire damage, and most also cover damage from fire-related heat, smoke, soot and fumes. Check your declarations page for your limits and deductible.
Is smoke damage covered?
Usually. Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner says standard homeowner and renter policies typically cover sudden and accidental smoke damage, and that smoke damage usually falls under the same coverage as fire damage. That includes smoke from a neighbor's fire or a wildfire, not only a fire in your home.
Will insurance pay for somewhere to stay?
Often, yes. Loss of use coverage, also called additional living expenses, pays the extra cost of living elsewhere while your home is repaired or rebuilt, according to Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Keep every receipt for lodging and meals, and ask your adjuster about your limit.
What should I ask the adjuster to inspect?
Ask for a full smoke damage inspection. Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner suggests including attics, crawl spaces, insulation and the HVAC system, because smoke damage can be progressive and isn't always visible on day one. Rooms that look fine can still hold odor and residue.
Can I choose my own restoration company after a fire?
Yes. Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner says you can choose your own contractor. Check any company on the L&I Verify tool first, and read any assignment of benefits form carefully before you sign, because it can hand control of your claim payments to the contractor.