Will insurance cover a chimney fire?
Signs you had one
Some chimney fires are loud, with roaring, popping and dense smoke. Many are slow and quiet and only discovered later. Clues include puffy, honeycombed creosote in the flue, warped damper or cap, cracked flue tiles, discolored or distorted metal, and roofing material near the chimney that looks scorched.
What a claim can cover
- Flue liner repair or replacement.
- Crown, cap and masonry damage from heat.
- Framing, decking and shingles around the chimney that were heated or charred.
- Chimney flashing that warped or failed because of the fire.
- Smoke and soot cleaning inside the home.
- Fire department charges, under a separate small coverage on many policies.
The pre-existing damage argument
Flue tiles crack with age and moisture too. An insurer may say the cracks were already there. Your best answer is a prompt, detailed inspection. Chimney safety standards call for a more thorough evaluation after a chimney fire, commonly called a Level 2 inspection, which usually includes a camera scan of the flue. Ask the sweep for photos, video and a written cause opinion.
Where the roof fits
A chimney fire can damage the roof around the chimney even when the shingles look fine from the ground. Heat can char decking, soften flashing sealants and loosen counter flashing, which may start leaking weeks later. Have the roof side inspected at the same time, and include it in the same claim.
Next steps
- Stop using the fireplace.
- Report the claim.
- Get the flue inspected and the roof checked.
- Keep the reports and photos together for the adjuster.
More: what roof adjusters look for and how to file a roof claim.