fire, soot and insurance

nacho66

Hi guys

My main question is - is there any chance that soot could damage the paint on a car? There was a fire in our car park and my car, which was near the fire, got heavily covered with soot. That happened week ago. I've been on holidays for two weeks and I was able to make a claim with insurance company on Thursday. That was through an online form because I couldn't reach any of their numbers from abroad so I didn't actually talk to a live person that could explain few things to me. They didn't call me back and their office is closed for the weekend. The car is still covered with soot as I'm not sure if insurance guys will actually want to come over and see the car and make photographs before I clean it. My concern is that paint can get damaged because of that soot. Is that a valid concern?

Atlantic Dawn

The soot if washed off carefully shouldn't damage the paintwork. Your main concern is the damage that heat from the fire could have done, it could have destroyed the laquer coating on the paint and ruined the finish, I'd also have a look at your lights, wipers and windows to see there's no heat damage.

nacho66

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

The soot if washed off carefully shouldn't damage the paintwork. Your main concern is the damage that heat from the fire could have done, it could have destroyed the laquer coating on the paint and ruined the finish, I'd also have a look at your lights, wipers and windows to see there's no heat damage.

I know about the other potential damage... but you know, lights, wipers, windows and coating won't degrade while waiting for insurance guys. Soot on the other hand could, at least that's my concern, not sure if valid. I would wash it off but because I couldn't talk to a live person, I have no idea if I'm allowed to. Don't want to find myself in a position where insurance will have a problem with the fact I washed it

Also, any idea what would be the procedure with registration plate cause the 'font' got completely metled down. Can I write reg number on a piece of paper or so and put it on the back window and drive? Or am I grounded until I get the new reg plate?

sean1141

you can get a reg plate made in most motorfactors and halfords while you wait

Atlantic Dawn

If the font on the plate was melted I'd be inclined to leave the car as is with the soot and wait for the insurance assessor, there's likely damage to the surface of the paintwork and if you go washing it or removing it they may say you caused more damage to it.

Scealta_saol

Not sure if you shouldn't take the soot off but definitely take pictures yourself just in case.

Regarding the licence plate, it is printed on your tax disc and insurance disc so it shouldn't be a problem to go around without them until you get new ones.

dharn

if your number plate melted i would have serious worries about the paint on the bonnet etc would not do much to car until insurance assessor sees it

Esel

Scealta_saol wrote: »

Regarding the licence plate, it is printed on your tax disc and insurance disc so it shouldn't be a problem to go around without them until you get new ones.

This post exemplifies the reason that people should be wary of taking advice from random people on the internet, imo.

MugMugs

Esel wrote: »

This post exemplifies the reason that people should be wary of taking advice from random people on the internet, imo.

+1 to that. Crazy talk.

OP. You're oblged to mitigate your losses. That could be construe as you should wash the car. If you have doubhts about that though then leave her dirty until the insurance company tell you what they want. Like already said, take photo's too.

On another note, I assume the Car Park didn't offer to scrub the car down for you and replace any damage ? They most like wont either as they will look to refute any claim under this.