What happened
The home was close enough to the Palisades Fire that smoke, ash and residue affected the exterior, interior, HVAC system and pool. This was not a simple wipe-down claim. Damage was spread across the property and several major items had to be documented before the carrier could fully evaluate the loss.
The HVAC system was the biggest concern. Because it moves air through the whole home, smoke in the system can keep causing odor and contamination if it isn't inspected and treated properly. The pool also took in ash and debris and needed professional cleaning, not routine maintenance.
Areas of damage
- Interior smoke residue and odor
- Exterior smoke and ash contamination
- HVAC system contamination
- Pool contamination from smoke, ash and debris
- Possible attic and insulation exposure
- Contents and textiles affected by smoke
Why a basic estimate wasn't enough
Smoke damage is often underestimated because it isn't as obvious as fire damage. A home does not need to burn for the loss to be serious. The claim had to show the damage went well past surface cleaning.
Our role
We documented the full scope of the loss, communicated with the insurer, coordinated inspections, followed up on missing items and made sure the HVAC and pool were treated as major parts of the claim.
The result
The claim resolved for $186,960.04 once the smoke damage, HVAC impact, pool cleaning and related items were documented and reviewed. The key was getting the insurer to evaluate the entire property, not only the visible residue.
Every claim is different and no result is guaranteed.
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