How Do You Get Insurance?

[Teddy52]

At our farm in Minnesota, insurance companies really got strict about insuring houses heating with wood.

The insurance inspector came every 2 years and your wood heater had to meet their guidelines as far as setbacks, stove pipe, chimney etc. They also asked for people to call them BEFORE installing a wood burner and they would come out and help insure the installation met their guidelines.

They recently passed a regulation that they would NOT insure any in house wood heater if the owner did not reside there.

They were having way too many insurance claims where RENTERS who heated with wood were residing there.

[jmking]

Originally Posted by Teddy52

At our farm in Minnesota, insurance companies really got strict about insuring houses heating with wood.

The insurance inspector came every 2 years and your wood heater had to meet their guidelines as far as setbacks, stove pipe, chimney etc. They also asked for people to call them BEFORE installing a wood burner and they would come out and help insure the installation met their guidelines.

They recently passed a regulation that they would NOT insure any in house wood heater if the owner did not reside there.

They were having way too many insurance claims where RENTERS who heated with wood were residing there.

I can see the logic in it. However, in cold areas heat is important, that is for sure. Since I do not trust insurance companies in particular, I'd love to see their figures, how many claims they've paid out etc.

[LordyLordy]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Typically, a second source of heat is installed, the homeowner claims that as the primary heat source, and life goes on as normal.

The home insurance marketplace is second only to the health insurance marketplace in crazy rules. The companies recognize that people with mortgages are mandated to have insurance, so they treat them like the captive market that they are. When premiums got excessive on mine and the loopholes to deny coverage got too big, I told 'em to take a hike.

If you have a mortgage - you must have insurance, the bank will insure you if you lapse and that insurance will be very expensive.

[Teddy52]

Seems the only kind of wood heating all three parties ( owner, lender, insurance company ) like is the outside boiler.

In rural areas, they are the answer.

[LordyLordy]

Originally Posted by Teddy52

Seems the only kind of wood heating all three parties ( owner, lender, insurance company ) like is the outside boiler.

In rural areas, they are the answer.

The real answer is not to have a mortgage. Then you really told off the bank and the insurance company and you can use whatever you want for heat.

[Themanwithnoname]

Originally Posted by LordyLordy

The real answer is not to have a mortgage. Then you really told off the bank and the insurance company and you can use whatever you want for heat.

Im building with cash, and called USAA about homeowners, told them propane and wood and they had no issues.

[brushrunner]

Originally Posted by jmking

brushrunner, what part of the country are you located?

South West Missouri.

brushrunner