Some of the hardest claims we see have very little visible fire damage. A kitchen fire that was out in two minutes. A fire in the apartment next door. A furnace that puffed soot through the whole house overnight. The walls look a little gray, the house smells, and the insurance company offers to wipe things down. Months later the smell is still there.
We are GB Claims LLC, licensed public adjusters for homeowners and property owners in New York and New Jersey. If your smoke damage claim feels too small for what you are living with, call or text 845-456-6699.
Why smoke damage is easy to underpay
Smoke is not just a smell. It is fine particles and residue that settle on every surface, get pulled into the heating and cooling system, and soak into soft materials like carpet, insulation, mattresses and clothing. Much of it can’t be seen in a quick walk-through. So the first estimate often covers what can be seen:
- Cleaning walls and ceilings in the rooms nearest the fire
- A coat of paint in a few rooms
- Deodorizing for a few days
And it often leaves out what can’t be seen:
- Inside closets, cabinets and drawers. Smoke gets in. Everything stored there may need cleaning or replacing.
- The ductwork and HVAC system. If the system ran during or after the fire, it carried soot to every room. Ducts may need cleaning, and some parts may need replacing.
- Attic insulation. Smoke rises. Insulation that holds odor usually can’t be cleaned.
- Soft contents. Clothing, bedding, curtains, upholstered furniture and rugs. Some can be cleaned professionally. Some can’t.
- Electronics and appliances exposed to soot.
- Sealing before paint. Painting over smoke residue without the right sealer can bring the odor back.
Cleaning vs. replacing
The biggest fight on most smoke claims is whether something gets cleaned or replaced. Insurers usually start with cleaning, which is fair when cleaning works. When it doesn’t (the odor comes back, the stain bleeds through, the material is porous), replacement may be owed. Read more on when smoke-damaged items should be replaced, not cleaned and on smoke odor that stays after restoration.
The restoration company is your best ally here. They clean, deodorize and test, and their notes show what worked and what didn’t. We use that work to support the claim.
What you can do now
- Take photos and video of every room, including inside closets and cabinets, before cleaning starts.
- Note where the smell is strongest and write down when it returns after cleaning.
- Keep a list of contents with smoke damage, room by room.
- Ask the restoration company for its moisture, odor and cleaning notes.
- Don’t accept a final number until the cleaning has actually been tested.
Smoke damage from a neighbor’s fire
If the fire was in the unit next door or the building next door, your own policy usually still covers the smoke damage to your home and belongings. You don’t have to wait for the neighbor’s insurance. In a condo or co-op, the building’s policy and yours may split the claim, which is worth sorting out early. For larger fires, see fire damage claim help in Rockland & Orange County and fire and large loss claims.
Where we work
In New York: Rockland County, Orange County, Westchester County and the towns around them, including Monsey, Spring Valley, Suffern and Newburgh. In New Jersey: Bergen County, Passaic County, Teaneck, Englewood and Wayne.
Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance cover smoke damage?
Usually yes. Most homeowners policies cover sudden smoke damage from a fire, including a fire next door. Smoke from long-term sources like fireplaces or smoking usually isn’t covered. Your policy wording controls.
Why is my smoke damage claim so low?
Often because the estimate only covers what was visible in the first walk-through. Closets, ductwork, attic insulation, soft contents and sealing before paint are commonly left out.
The house still smells after cleaning. Can I ask for more?
Yes. If odor or staining returns after cleaning, that is evidence the cleaning didn’t work. Document it and ask the insurer to reconsider, including replacement where cleaning failed.
Is smoke damage from a neighbor’s fire covered by my policy?
Usually your own policy covers damage to your home and belongings no matter where the fire started. Your insurer may later try to recover from the neighbor’s insurer, but you don’t have to wait for that.
Do I need a public adjuster for a smoke-only claim?
Not always. If the damage is light and the insurer is paying fairly, you may be fine. It makes sense when smoke spread through the house, the estimate looks thin, or odor keeps coming back.
Talk to a licensed public adjuster
Smoke or soot damage in New York or New Jersey and the offer feels too low? Call or text 845-456-6699, or send us the insurance estimate.
GB Claims LLC – Licensed Public Adjuster. NY License PA-1988333 · NJ License #3004401530 · PA License #1336704 · CT License #3004375850. We work only for the policyholder, never for the insurance company.