Insurance problem with new boiler install.

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Cjk

New Member
Oct 16, 2013
2
SE Wi.
Hello, I have been reading this site for a few years planning a new farm shop build that will include a wood boiler. My plan was to install the boiler in a separate room inside the shop and heat the slab along with a zone to the house. The boiler room would have its own overhead door to the outside for wood delivery and possibly a man door to the shop if approved by code, Ins etc. The building will be wood posts with steel siding in and outside along with a concrete floor. About as fireproof as possible in my opinion.

My formerly wood burning friendly insurance agent is concerned with the boiler being installed in the shop, which will be attached to my detached garage, and is telling me "No way". He wants it installed in its own building away from the others to reduce the loss if something would happen. Yet when I ask him if I can install a boiler in my house basement, that was fine as long as it was properly installed.

Moving the boiler to its own building will greatly increase the cost of this project and make maintaining the fire more difficult.

Has anyone here had similar issues and how did you solve them?

Cjk,
shopping for new Ins agent.
 
maple1 said:
What boiler? Not an outdoor one is it?

If not I would definitely be shopping insurance.
Click to expand...

I am looking seriously at a Garn. Even after providing the owners manual which includes the UL certification he wasn't impressed.
 
If the separate boiler room is walled off and built to building code and fire code, like fireproofing the ceiling and walls. Why would the insurance company not approve it? It is built to all codes. I am surprised he did not tell you as long as you make the walls and ceiling double 5/8" sheetrock we will be okay with it. There seems like there is a much greater chance of loss to them if your house burns down than if your pole barn burns down. Wouldn't it?

It would not surprise me though if he is telling you that, the next insurance guy will tell you the same thing. :rolleyes:
 
The agent works with the underwriter. If there's an issue, it is coming from the underwriter, it is something they know about. There is probably some objective factors they are looking at, maybe loss rate, risks. If you inquire with the agent, the agent can contact the underwriter and maybe give you more insight as to what factors they are weighing. If you know the factors, you may be able to make changes that satisfy their requirements, for example, a firewalled unconnected space with separate outside access, under the same roof.

That said, they know their business and may have good cause for concern. A garage where vehicles are stored or worked on has far more flammables than a residential basement. A can of WD 40 is a flammable. People may be expected to keep their basements generally cleaner and safer, more conscious of risk in their living space.
 
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This is true. One of those things where "It is what it is." And I hate that saying. LOL. One of those things you can't fight. Even though you could be super sensitive to your "flammable" materials anywhere near you boiler and wood supply in your garage, etc.,etc., and some jack ass could not give a hoot about his flammables and his may be in his basement. <>
 
Last edited:
Cjk said:
Hello, I have been reading this site for a few years planning a new farm shop build that will include a wood boiler. My plan was to install the boiler in a separate room inside the shop and heat the slab along with a zone to the house. The boiler room would have its own overhead door to the outside for wood delivery and possibly a man door to the shop if approved by code, Ins etc. The building will be wood posts with steel siding in and outside along with a concrete floor. About as fireproof as possible in my opinion.

My formerly wood burning friendly insurance agent is concerned with the boiler being installed in the shop, which will be attached to my detached garage, and is telling me "No way". He wants it installed in its own building away from the others to reduce the loss if something would happen. Yet when I ask him if I can install a boiler in my house basement, that was fine as long as it was properly installed.

.
Click to expand...

Well, after asking my insurance agent, they DID NOT CARE if I put a wood heater / boiler in my shop. :eek: I explained the plans, and tried further to explain the details, she said that it was fine. She was happier that I might be considering getting my CSA approved wood furnace out of the house basement. I still can't reason this out so I guess logic and reason doesn't necessarily apply. Ask a local inspector if they would review plans / prints and approve in concept for you to submit to the insurance agent. That will be my path. Good luck.
 
I had the same issue when I put my boiler in. I ended up putting it in its own building. It cost me a little more, and I'm sure that i use a little extra wood due to heat loss from the boiler. I really like it in its own building though. could have put it in the house but didn't want it there.
 
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