Photo: Universa
Margareta Bösl, Universa
Home contents insurance does not provide cover for damage caused by soot and smoke. Universa refers to a corresponding ruling by the Chemnitz Regional Court.
The facts: A woman had prepared a roast in a pot with cooking oil in the kitchen of her apartment. When she left the kitchen, she forgot to take the pot off the ceramic hob. Later, she noticed very thick white clouds of smoke in the hallway. There were no open flames to be seen. The furnishings in her apartment were irreparably damaged by the massive smoke development, smoke deposits and the smell of burning. The home contents insurer rejected the claim for damages of around 70,000 euros.
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The Chemnitz Regional Court ruled that this was correct (case number 5 0 222/2). According to the insurance conditions, only fire is insured. This requires an open fire that can spread of its own accord. Pure smoke and fume damage without a fire event is not included in the insurance cover.
According to Universa, this is often the case, especially with older home contents insurance policies. However, there are now new and more powerful tariff offers on the market that cover this. “Such tariffs are definitely recommended,” explains claims expert Margareta Bösl from Universa.
