Ok to cut the story short:
- Hardwood floor, "Tas oak" but this is a local term for what I believe to be local hardwoods of mixed variety (Tas, Australia). Very solid stuff.. almost 25mm thick boards.
- I sanded last year and had a pro complete the job for me as my DIY wasn't up to scratch. He then polished with a local product (Satin, water-based)
- I've been very happy with the job

Last night I left a bag of newly purchased car cleaning products by the front door. One of which was some wind-screen washing concentrate which somehow leaked overnight. My wife discovered it pooling around a door and along some cables on the floor. I panicked and started to clean it with water before realising my mistake.. then instead poured heaps of salt on it, waited for that to soak a bit, vaccumed up, then dabbed it dry with paper towel.

The damage seems to be very bad - the fluid has basically stripped the flooring down to the timber and possibly even soaked in below that. In one area there must have been a gap that has allowed the fluid to flow along, ruining the varnish there also.

I do have house insurance cover!

What are my options here?

Album of photos:
http://img840.imageshack.us/g/img4787t.jpg/

Call your pro to look at it. You can possibly sand and blend those areas back in to the existing, you may have to replace a few boards tif the stains wont sand out. Being only a year old it should be fairly simple to

Who woulda thought windshield washing fluid was that strong. Maybe a new way to refinish floors with to much dust eh?