We recently received a claim in which the cause of loss is reported as "smoke damage".  The "smoke damage" is actually residue from some kind of drug lab that had been operated in the home. The home is now contaminated due to this residue.  The claim is made under a DP-1 Named Peril policy.

Would this be a covered loss under the peril of "smoke".

Kentucky Subscriber

You have an interesting situation. While the DP1 does list smoke as a covered peril, it's referring to sudden and accidental damage; therefore it needs to be determined if the smoke was from a sudden fire or a slow cooking of drugs. We're not experts in cooking drugs, but from information reviewed we have discovered that certain popular drugs are a slow cook process, (several hours) and therefore resultant smoke damage wouldn't be covered as "sudden and accidental". You may find the following link helpful: Smoke Damage and the Dwelling and Homeowners Forms.