Smoke can damage your home and car. How to avoid a denied claim

• Wildfire smoke can damage your home and car, even if the actual fire is hundreds of miles away.
• Homeowners and comprehensive car insurance policies typically cover smoke damage, but warranties do not.
• Experts recommend changing air filters, cleaning ash and documenting any damage to prevent future issues or claim denials.

Canadian wildfires are severely impacting air quality in much of the United States right now, and the resulting smoky haze isn’t just a health concern. Even if you’re hundreds of miles from the flames, smoke, ash and soot can affect your home’s air quality, HVAC system and your car. 

If you’re dealing with damage from prolonged smoke exposure, it’s important to understand what homeowners insurance, home warranties, car insurance and car warranties do and do not cover. 

In short, insurance can help pay for certain smoke-related losses, while warranties typically only cover breakdowns from normal wear and tear, not natural disasters like wildfires.

Here’s what’s usually covered and what experts recommend doing now to prevent further damage and claim disputes.

What homeowners insurance covers after wildfire smoke exposure

If wildfire smoke damages your property, homeowners insurance is typically the first place to turn. Although terms vary, most standard policies cover wildfire damage, including damage from smoke and ash. 

Homeowners insurance usually covers: 

• Smoke or soot damage to your home’s structure
• Major soot and ash cleanup
• Professional smoke deodorization and remediation 
• Damage to personal belongings caused by the wildfire 
• Additional living expenses if damage makes your home temporarily unlivable

Homeowners insurance usually does not cover: 

• Routine maintenance, like HVAC filter replacement
• Minor smoke odors, though coverage depends on the insurer
• Damage caused by neglect or normal wear and tear 

That said, make sure to review your policy to see what actually qualifies for coverage. “Policyholders should check whether their insurer requires a mandatory evacuation order or actual property damage for that coverage to kick in,” says Julia Taliesin, an economic analyst and licensed insurance agent at Insurify. 

She also advises homeowners to verify what qualifies as smoke damage under your plan. “Insurers may require that the smoke has caused specific damage, such as staining, contamination, residue, odor or alteration that needs professional attention,” she says.

Why home warranties don’t usually cover smoke damage

Home warranties help cover the cost of repairing or replacing home systems that break down due to normal wear and tear. That means that any damage caused by wildfires or other natural disasters is generally not covered. 

However, your home warranty may still cover future HVAC repairs that fall within your contract terms. Home warranty companies may deny claims if you haven’t performed basic maintenance, so it’s important to get your system checked out after significant smoke exposure. 

If your HVAC has been exposed to wildfire smoke, change the air filter immediately, have the system professionally serviced, and watch out for odors or poor performance. Documenting maintenance can prevent any repair claims from being denied down the road. Some home warranty plans also cover the cost of HVAC tune-ups or other maintenance.

What car insurance covers after wildfire smoke exposure

Basic liability and collision car insurance coverage do not cover fire, smoke or ash damage to your car. If you have comprehensive car insurance, though, these events are often covered. 

Here’s what’s usually included with comprehensive insurance: 

• Soot, ash and smoke damage or contamination that damage your vehicle
• Replacing melted parts or broken glass 
• Professional cleaning or remediation of the interior of your car
• Repairing damaged upholstery or carpeting exposed to smoke

Car insurance does not usually cover: 

• Replacing the cabin or engine air filter after a wildfire
• Other routine maintenance or preventative work
• Corrosion or mechanical failures unrelated to smoke or fire damage

Always check your individual car insurance policy to see what’s covered. 

Why car warranties usually don’t cover smoke damage 

Car warranties do not typically cover physical damage from natural disasters like wildfires. Instead, these plans primarily cover problems caused by manufacturer defects, faulty parts or mechanical breakdowns. 

“Warranties don't touch environmental damage. So if your fuel injectors clog from ash, that's not a defect, it's external contamination – which your warranty won't pay for,” says Luke Oswald, automotive specialist at Wheels Away. 

Other tasks, like replacing your air filters or cleaning lingering odors after smoke exposure, are considered routine maintenance, which also is not usually covered. 

Maintenance you should do right now to prevent further damage 

There are steps you can take right now to make sure your home and car are protected from the worst effects of smoke, soot and ash. 

Additionally, completing and documenting basic preventative measures and routine maintenance can help prevent claim denials when you file insurance or warranty claims. 

For homeowners 

• Document any damage. Take photos of any visible ash, soot or smoke residue before cleaning. This can help support any insurance claims. 
• Run HEPA air filters. This reduces airborne particles inside your home, which can cause health issues. 
• Replace HVAC and air purifier filters and check on them regularly. “If they appear dirty quickly, change them again,” says Michael Rubino, mold and air quality expert and founder of HomeCleanse. He also recommends upgrading to the highest-rated MERV filter that your HVAC can handle.
• Don’t let outside air in. Keep windows and doors closed as much as possible, run your air conditioner on recirculate and close your fresh air intake if applicable. 
• Rinse off ash and soot. Once you’ve documented damage and it’s safe to do so, clean ash and soot off of indoor surfaces, vents, outdoor AC units, roofs and gutters. This helps prevent stains and lingering smells and improves indoor air quality. And remember, “if using a garden hose or power washer, ensure that your airway is protected with an N-95 mask or similar,” says Andy Bozzo, current Battalion Chief of Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and cofounder of Tablet Command. 
• Clean your entire home. “Smoke pollution does not go away when the smell fades. It can linger in carpeting, bedding, curtains, HVAC systems, dust reservoirs and porous materials,” Rubino says. He recommends using cleaning products specifically designed for contaminants like smoke. Avoid spraying aerosols or using strong chemical cleaners. 

For car owners

• Park in a garage or covered area. This helps limit continued exposure to pollutants that are hard to get out. Don’t park under damaged trees or anything that could catch on fire.
• Keep outside air out by keeping the windows closed, using the air conditioner’s recirculate mode, and checking window and door seals.
• Check your cabin and engine air filters for buildup, and replace them if necessary. “If you can see [the cabin air filter] is dark and clogged, you’ve definitely got ash in the system,” Oswald says.
• Keep an eye out for damage. Musty smells in the car or weak AC flow can be signs of ash in your system. Pop the hood and check for residue as well. 

How to prepare your home before the next wildfire season

The risk of wildfires isn’t going away. There are a few simple upgrades that can make your home more resilient before the next wildfire season: 

• Complete routine HVAC inspections and change filters: Your HVAC traps smoke particles and ash. Dirty or clogged systems or filters can reduce the efficiency of your system and how well it’s filtering out pollutants, so make sure to keep up with routine maintenance. 
• Seal air leaks around windows: Use weatherstripping or caulk around windows to reduce how much smoke can come in. Installing double-pane windows can also help keep pollutants out. 
• Consider a whole-home or portable HEPA air filter: Air filtration systems can help protect indoor air quality and help your HVAC system run more efficiently. 
• Install an indoor air-quality monitor: Smoke particles are often invisible, so an indoor air-quality monitor can give you a better idea of how well your air filters and other mitigation efforts are working.