Sorry to hear about this!
@Oracle Lighting perhaps time for a goodwill product donation!!
How's the interior? Sometimes the neighboring/burning materials and their toxins impregnate materials like interior plastic/upholstery making a hazmat environment. HVAC ventilation ductwork would probably need to be replaced.
Buddy did crime scene cleanup for decades, now retired (chemical engineer background). Had contracts with the State for fatal accidents too. Met him when I was a
.
As I'm always enamored by CoPart/Salvage projects - > Emilio endlessly stressed re: amateur cleaning of vehicles that had been exposed to smoke/fire damage should be left to professional inspection/cleaning services. <- ***Of course his absolute NO GO was any blood-born pathogens/biohazards being present. Remembered this SPD call ->
https://azdailysun.com/man-shoots-u...cle_f850654f-067b-5e6d-864a-ae1e3560598f.html while the Ferrari was parked in the detail bay of Scottsdale Lamborghini (wondered the Ferrari dispo after?).
I'm not a paranoid germ freak but considering Emilio's "Jedi" skills identifying hidden house stains (made for an interesting guest at our BBQs!) - made his comments formative + memorable!
***Might be worth reaching out to a House Fire/Restoration company for their recommendations (
***and potential leverage when dealing with your insurance company. I wouldn't trust body shop assessments without other (SPECIFIC EXPERT) due diligence/recommendations). A Fire/Restoration company would have cross-deck experience with vehicles that incurred collateral damage (being in the vicinity of a fire).
Articulating personal and family SAFETY/HEALTH/RESPIRATORY concerns in emails (documented) with your insurance company should light some proverbial 'fires' with adjusters.
habit but I'd note all communications (who/what/where/when/statements), it's always served me very well including my Lemon Law debacle that
@RamCares resolved - providing them with an overwhelming timeline! (Unfortunately) I've successfully battled 3x with Liberty Mutual over coverage, their erroneous billing and past claims. The consistent propensity for insurance companies to put their $ interests first is a constant.
Glad to help further/chat (DM).
Other random thought - will a related insurance claim show up on CARFAX hx/history? Wondering if it may be considered a total loss (VS. cost of restoration/replacing all affected materials/surfaces and possibly the inability to eliminate 100% of the damage?).
Random smoke damage mention...
Please update us as to your journey, best of luck!!
IPK -
A.I. OVERVIEW
When a vehicle suffers significant smoke damage, insurance companies often declare it a total loss. On communities like Reddit's Insurance Subreddit, adjusters and users agree that the odor of smoke is nearly impossible to permanently remove from a car's porous materials, including the headliner, seats, dashboard, and HVAC system. [1, 2, 3]
The total loss process and what you need to know involve the following:
- The Total Loss Threshold: If the estimated cost to strip and replace the interior, clean the ductwork, and eliminate the odor exceeds the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of the car (minus your deductible), it will be totaled. [1, 3]
- The Danger of Odor: Smoke particles and toxic chemicals penetrate plastics and fabrics. Even if the car looks okay, the lingering smell makes the vehicle practically un-salable and, in some cases, a health hazard, leading adjusters to total the car to protect themselves from future liability. [1, 2]
- Payout Evaluation: Your insurer will calculate the ACV using comparable local market listings. You are entitled to this payout, which first goes to pay off any existing car loans. [1, 3]
- Retaining a Salvage Title: While you can technically "buy back" a totaled car from your insurance company, users strongly advise against it. The resulting salvage title drastically reduces future resale value, and the car may be incredibly difficult and expensive to re-insure. []
If you'd like, let me know:
- Is your vehicle currently with a mechanic or tow yard, or at your home?
- What caused the smoke damage (e.g., an engine fire, wildfire, or nearby house fire)?
- Do you have comprehensive coverage on your policy?
I can help clarify what steps to take next with your claim.
