smoke damage

[pagey3]

(hope this is the right place)
there was a fire in the basement flat last night and our flat is fine except for the living room absolutely stinks as we have wooden floorboards as smoke rose up through them and filled the room. does this class as smoke damage with regards to house insurance? what exactly can we claim for - do we need to replace furniture or just pain the walls? any advice on this welcome please!
thank you

[themas]

You should contact your contents insurer asap. They should advise you on what they think needs to be done. If the smoke has damaged the furniture, or the smell has become ingrained in it, then it might have to be replaced. Your insurer is almost certain to want to talk to the insurer of the basement flat, so get the details for that.

[pagey3]

thank you themas. Our insurers have said we're not covered as fire was not in our flat - going to have a careful read of our policy i reckon!
we will need the details of the person who's flat was on fire but not looking promising as we do know that the people that own it are in the middle of a sticky divorce and are very unforthcoming with any information - they're generally unhelpful. lots of issues with the flat in question which is worrying!

[themas]

I find this very difficult to believe. I've just looked at my contents policy - it simply refers to damage by fire; nothing about where the fire originated. If the logic of what you've been told is followed, any damage by fire starting outside your property would not be covered - eg someone committing arson by starting a fire in a waste bin outside your door or window.

Unless there is absolutely specific wording in your policy which makes it totally clear you are not covered (which I think would be highly unusual), you should take this up further - insist on making a claim; go through the complaints procedure if necessary; then to the independent regulator.

You mentioned the walls might need decorating. This is not a contents matter & should be taken up with the buiildings insurer.