Insurance questions....

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MarkSJohnson

MarkSJohnson

Member
Oct 30, 2013
85
Coastal RI
I'm thinking that maybe the "day of installation" isn't the best time to be asking this, but I just saw a thread that referenced house insurance.

Does your homeowner insurance company need to be notified of a pellet stove? Has anyone been told "no" (a policy cancellation) or had their rates go up? Do most people not even mention it to their agent?

I feel as though I'm choosing a reliable stove, having it professionally installed, will have a yearly "pro" cleaning....i.e., I feel like I'm doing everything right. But.....

What about inspectors from the Fire Department? I know a permit wasn't needed, but is there some validity to having the install "checked" for insurance purposes? I had wondered about this just in terms of getting advice for smoke and CO2 detector locations...
 
When I bought a house with a pellet stove already installed, I got a notice from my insurance company that I would need to have it professionally cleaned for the policy to go in effect. I don't think my rates changed, but I did mention the pellet stove when I got my quote.

I would highly suggest asking your insurance broker. Some might not care - some might tell you not to point it out, but you don't want to be denied a claim if you ever had an incident. (God forbid)
 
I asked my agent/broker (independent) what the deal was after I installed it.


All I had to do was fill out a 5 question pamphlet...no inspection...no nothing.....that was it, I'm covered
 
Mine had no issues with it and asked me if a wood appliance was used for heating and I said a pellet stove was in use. No special instructions. Once installed, I would notify your agent. Wouldn't want them rejecting a claim for something related to your stove.
 
My insurance agent wanted to know the make and model of the stove and requested to see the post inspected signed off building permit. That was it.

I have heard of some insurance companies slightly raising rates on people who install a solid fuel burning appliance.
 
mine had no problem with it. i have three different companies and none raised the rates. and my house has 2 wood and 2 pellet stoves. but they have to know about the, if not, it's how they get out of paying.
 
I think I pay a $50 annual surcharge for the wood stove. Came with the house and didn't matter whether or not I actually used it. Would have to physically remove it and prove it to avoid the charge. I save way more than that in heat anyway!!! I would definitely let your agent know becuase you don't want to have an excuse for them to deny the claim - even if its not related to the stove.
 
I would definitely notify your insurance company. I know amica didn't need any proof or anything to verify but just my word that I had the town inspect it post install.....no rate increase or anything
 
I mentioned my pellet stove to my insurance agent, he didn't seem to care. He didn't make any notes or anything , he just went on to another subject.

Dave
 
I pay a $20 yearly surcharge...
 
I had no issues at all. All I had to produce was the letter of inspection from the Fire Chief.
 
I just had to fill in the blanks on a simple form, draw where the stove is, wall clearances, make and model..
 
MarkSJohnson said:
I'm thinking that maybe the "day of installation" isn't the best time to be asking this, but I just saw a thread that referenced house insurance.

Does your homeowner insurance company need to be notified of a pellet stove? Has anyone been told "no" (a policy cancellation) or had their rates go up? Do most people not even mention it to their agent?

I feel as though I'm choosing a reliable stove, having it professionally installed, will have a yearly "pro" cleaning....i.e., I feel like I'm doing everything right. But.....

What about inspectors from the Fire Department? I know a permit wasn't needed, but is there some validity to having the install "checked" for insurance purposes? I had wondered about this just in terms of getting advice for smoke and CO2 detector locations...
Click to expand...
Hi Mark
Are you sure a permit was not needed? City of Concord web site attached http://www.concordnh.gov/index.aspx?NID=483 Fire protection permit. Do not take the chance of not letting your insurance company know. If anything is to happen your Home will not be covered. Mine went up 30 dollars per year
 
I have Erie insurance, when I installed the stove I notified them, they just wanted to know make and model / purchase price, they did not ask for permits or inspection. I told them that I installed it myself and went by manufacturer specs. The only thing they were concerned with is that this was not my MAIN heat source. You always say no.
 
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I called my insurance co. and they wanted to know who was doing the install...that was it. I told them the company I purchased from.
 
because my house already has a fireplace, i was already on the 'fire' list. adding the stove to the fireplace caused 0 change to my policy.
 
Our insurance wanted to know. No documentation required by them.

Permit was required, the inspector did say it is not unusual for insurance companies to ask for permit/inspection documentation directly from them in the event of fire. It was nothing more than a formality.
 
I told them I had one installed.

The only questions I got were....

-Professionally installed?
-Professionally cleaned?
-How often/when professionally cleaned?

My policy didn't change since install (over a year now).
 
I've been waiting to hear back from my insurance company for over a week. They wanted make/model, and all the clearances, wanted to know if it was on a non combustible floor and if the walls were non combustible. Gave then all the into and haven't heard back yet. Before I purchased the stove they just said it would be snow extra $35/yr.
 
boo boo said:
Hi Mark Are you sure a permit was not needed? City of Concord web site attached http://www.concordnh.gov/index.aspx?NID=483 Fire protection permit.
Click to expand...
Wow, thanks Boo Boo. I had installers from two different dealers come in to see what locations were feasable and I know I asked one of them if a permit was needed....unfortunately, I don't know which one...and was told "no".

As I posted above, I was thinking about having it inspected by someone from the fire Department ..... even more so now that it looks like having it "signed off" might be good or necessary from an insurance point of view. I've never dealt with this type of thing before. I hope there isn't trouble from not getting the permit first.
 
Mpodesta said:
I have mine in the usual spots around the house + 1 fire and 1 co2 directly above the stove
Click to expand...
I remember reading, in a post on this forum, that the CO detector should not be directly above the stove. I placed mine near my thermostat, about 15 feet from the stove.
CO detectors worry me; you want them to always read zero, but then, how do you know they are doing anything? Anyway, I have three of them now. Playing the odds.
 
Dgopetactical said:
I have Erie insurance, when I installed the stove I notified them, they just wanted to know make and model / purchase price, they did not ask for permits or inspection. I told them that I installed it myself and went by manufacturer specs. The only thing they were concerned with is that this was not my MAIN heat source. You always say no.
Click to expand...
Ditto..... and, ditto..........
 
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