A fire breaks out and destroys a single-family home. An investigation reveals that a chimney sweep cleaned the fireplace system 10 months prior. As a claims adjuster, what issues and areas are important to assess? Let's first look at fireplace systems, and then the duties of a chimney sweep and what areas adjusters should review when it comes to evaluating the potential for subrogation recovery.
The Fireplace System – “Not Practically Perfect”
Most homeowners' familiarity with chimneys comes from seeing the movie “Mary Poppins.” In that movie, set in England, chimneys are swept as a backdrop to the story. However, chimney systems are not “practically perfect in every way,” like Mary Poppins. Chimney fires are extremely dangerous and pose a serious risk of harm to occupants as well as concurrent property damage.
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