Chimney Damage and Homeowner's Insurance

What this guide is and is not

This is a practical checklist for gathering information. It is not insurance or legal advice, and it does not suggest whether any policy covers any damage. Policies differ, and so do the facts of each case. For questions about your coverage, talk to your insurer or agent. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance publishes consumer information on home insurance and encourages homeowners to read and understand their policies.

Safety comes first

If there is an active fire, smoke in the house, or a carbon monoxide alarm, leave and call 911. After a suspected chimney fire, CSIA advises not using the chimney until it has been swept and evaluated by a qualified chimney professional, because damage can be hidden inside the flue. If a storm has damaged the chimney, stay clear of loose masonry and keep people away from the area below it.

What to document

• Dated photos and video of the chimney from the ground, the roofline if visible, the firebox, and any interior damage such as ceiling stains or debris. NAIC advises taking photos and videos of damage and making a list of damaged property.
• The event, if there was one. Date and time of a storm, lightning strike, fallen tree, or chimney fire, and anything you saw or heard.
• A professional inspection report. After a chimney fire, CSIA suggests asking the sweep to document with photos the damaged sections of the chimney and any creosote found, and to provide a written repair estimate for the adjuster.
• Prior condition. Earlier inspection reports or photos, if you have them, showing what the chimney looked like before.
• Temporary repairs. Photos before and after, and receipts. New Jersey's Department of Banking and Insurance notes the importance of making necessary temporary repairs to protect property from further damage.
• Communication log. Dates, names, claim numbers, and what was said in each call with your insurer.

Why a camera inspection matters

Much chimney damage is inside the flue, where it cannot be seen from the roof or the firebox. CSIA explains that a video inspection examines flue tiles, mortar joints, and metal components for cracking and other damage. CSIA also lists building fires, chimney fires, and weather events among the situations that call for a Level 2 inspection, which includes this internal examination.

When we inspect, we use a chimney camera when the flue allows and provide findings with photos. We describe what we observe. We do not determine whether damage is covered, and we do not speak for your insurer.

Questions to ask your insurer

• Does my policy apply to this type of damage, and are there exclusions I should know about?
• What is my deductible for this kind of claim? NAIC suggests finding out your deductible as part of deciding whether to file.
• What documentation do you need, and in what form?
• Will an adjuster inspect, and can my chimney contractor be present?
• Should I wait for the adjuster before any repairs beyond temporary protection?
• How are temporary repairs handled, and what receipts do you need?
• Is there a deadline for reporting the loss or submitting documents?

Common situations homeowners ask about

Homeowners often ask insurers about chimney damage after a chimney fire, after a lightning strike or high winds, after a tree or limb falls on the chimney, or when a long-running leak is discovered. How a policy treats each depends on its terms, and some policies treat gradual deterioration or lack of maintenance differently from sudden events. Ask your insurer how your policy addresses the situation you are in, and avoid assuming either way.

Timing and protecting the home

NJ DOBI advises phoning your agent or insurance company promptly to report a loss, having your policy number ready, and noting any instructions you are given. While you wait, protect the home from further damage where it is safe to do so, for example tarping an opening or covering a damaged flue to keep rain out, and keep the receipts. NAIC suggests your contractor may meet with you and the adjuster to help coordinate.

Estimates and scope

An insurer may ask for a written repair estimate. A useful estimate describes the damage observed, the work proposed for each part of the chimney, and any conditions that could not be seen and may change the scope. If an adjuster's assessment differs from your contractor's, ask your insurer how to resolve the difference and whether a second look is possible. Keep copies of every estimate and report you receive.

Keep records going forward

Routine inspection reports with photos give you a record of your chimney's condition over time. If something happens later, that history helps show what changed. NFPA 211, as summarized by CSIA, calls for annual inspection of chimneys, fireplaces, and vents.

Next step

If your chimney may have been damaged, request an inspection. See our chimney fire damage inspection and chimney inspection services, and our guide on what to do after a chimney fire.

Questions homeowners ask

Sources

1. NJ Department of Banking and Insurance: Home Insurance Basics
2. NAIC: What You Need to Know When Filing a Homeowners Claim
3. CSIA: What You Need to Know After a Chimney Fire
4. CSIA: The Three Levels of Chimney Inspections

This guide is general information. It can't diagnose a specific chimney; an inspection can.