Norwest NSW
Smoke & Air Quality Insurance
Smoke gets everywhere. A fire in the next unit, a bushfire a few suburbs away, a kitchen flare-up. Even without flames reaching you, smoke can ruin stock, stain walls and force you to close.
Smoke damage is normally covered under the fire section of a business property policy. Poor air quality on its own, such as haze from distant bushfires, is much less certain.
What it can cover
- Smoke damage to stock, contents and the building from an insured fire
- Cleaning and deodorising after a fire
- Loss of income if you can't trade, with business interruption added
Where it gets tricky
Smoke with no fire on your site
Some policies respond, some need damage by a fire nearby, and some exclude it.
Air quality closures
If you close because of haze or a health warning and nothing is damaged, there is often no cover.
Gradual smoke damage
Slow build-up from a faulty flue or burner may be treated as maintenance, not an insured event.
Case study
An example
A fire in a neighbouring unit fills a bakery with smoke. No flames reach the bakery, but the stock is contaminated and the shop is shut for a week while it's cleaned. If the policy covers smoke damage from a fire nearby, stock and cleaning can be claimed, and lost income too if business interruption is included.
Illustrative example only. Cover depends on your policy wording.
Contact us
To review your cover, tell us:
We're based at Suite 2.02, 2-8 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest NSW. Call 02 8660 2305 or email admin@idealbrokers.com.au.
Ideal Insurance Brokers, Norwest NSW 2153. Ideal Brokers Pty Ltd (CAR No. 001262504 | ABN 65 623 205 952) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Metrix Connect Pty Ltd ACN 635 286 136 as the trustee for the Metrix Connect Hybrid Trust ABN 55 742 327 931 | AFSL No. 525491. This page contains general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying.
Smoke and air quality insurance FAQs
It depends on the wording. We'll tell you plainly what yours says.
Normally not covered unless there is physical damage from an insured event. Some specialist wordings exist.
Often yes, but check for conditions.