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Dear Burned:
No wonder you're all fired up! However, there is a logical explanation why your walls and flooring are covered, but not your furniture.
A "broad form" policy -- the intermediate level of coverage -- provides "all risks" coverage on the house and "named perils" coverage on its contents. This means that the dwelling itself is covered against any damage, EXCEPT from those perils (causes of loss) that are specifically "excluded" in your policy. Because smoke damage is not excluded, your house is insured for that peril.
The contents of your house, on the other hand, are insured only against those perils that are specifically listed, or "named," on your policy (hence the term "named perils"). Smoke damage may not be one of them, even if fire is. Your policy covers smoke that "is due to a sudden and unusual faulty operation of a heating or cooking unit in or on the premises." Smoke from a fireplace may be excluded.
That's why your insurance will pay for the damage to your walls and broadloom (the house itself), but not the damage to your furniture (the contents).
There is a type of homeowner's policy, generally called "comprehensive," that gives you "all risks" coverage on both your house AND its contents. It costs a little more than a broad form policy, but covers all accidental and unexpected events -- including the smoke damage from your fireplace -- unless they're specifically excluded.
But remember, no policy will cover every possible cause of damage. Even "all risks" has its limits. Check the exclusions on your policy, or ask your insurance provider what isn't covered.
And be sure to have your chimney cleaned so the next time you light your fireplace, you can enjoy the warmth without having to take the heat for it!
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