Understanding the Difference Between Direct Fire Damage and Indirect Smoke & Soot Damage As a property damage attorney, one of the most common misunderstandings I see after a fire is the belief that only areas touched by flames are damaged. In reality, fires cause two very different types of losses, and understanding the difference can make a major impact on your insurance claim and financial recovery. Those two categories are direct physical fire loss to the structure and indirect smoke and soot damage to the contents. Insurance companies often blur the lines between the two, but legally and practically, they […]