Reporting the loss
Call the insurer early
Report the loss as soon as you can, even before you know the full extent. Ask for a claim number and the adjuster's contact information.
Describe it plainly
Explain what happened, when, which rooms and belongings were affected, and that residue is causing symptoms. Avoid guessing about causes you do not know.
Ask about living expenses
If the home is not livable, ask whether the policy pays for temporary housing and how to keep receipts.
Get the agency incident information
Ask the law enforcement agency for a case or incident reference and how to request a report. Insurers often want it.
Ask about the agency claim process
Some cities and agencies have a process for property damage claims after police action, often with deadlines. Ask the agency or the city attorney's office how it works.
Documentation to collect
- Photos and video of each room before anything is moved, including wide shots and close-ups of residue and damage.
- Notes on symptoms by room and who experienced them.
- Medical visit records and receipts related to exposure.
- A list of discarded items with photos, approximate age and where each was located.
- The written cleanup scope, invoices and any duct inspection photos.
- Receipts for hotel stays, meals and extra travel while displaced.
- Copies of every letter, email and claim note, with dates.
Questions for your adjuster
- Does my policy treat tear gas residue as a covered loss, and which provision applies?
- If you are citing an exclusion, can you show me its wording in writing?
- Do you need to inspect before cleanup begins, or can I proceed to prevent further harm?
- Will you accept a written scope from a cleanup provider I choose?
- How do you handle soft goods that cannot be cleaned?
- What is the deadline for submitting contents lists and receipts?
Keeping the claim from stalling
Tear gas claims are unfamiliar to many adjusters, and they sometimes get treated as odor or smoke losses. Make clear that the problem is a chemical irritant residue that causes physical symptoms, and that the home cannot be used normally until it is removed. A provider's written scope describing residue removal, not deodorization, helps frame the loss accurately.
Keep a running log with the date of each call, who you spoke with and what was said. Follow up phone conversations with a short email summarizing them.
General information for Berkeley, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.