Any problems with home owners insurance.

pinewoodburner said:

I am researching wood stoves and the requirements. I am comparing 2 different soapstone models that I will vent out the rear, into an existing fireplace. I will need a liner and to also insulate the liner. The height of the Chimney will be about 15.5 feet. The big question that I have not asked my insurance company yet is will they insure a wood stove. Are there any companies that will not insure them and are there companies that will insure them. I am afraid that my company may not insure them. I had to get the vet to certify that my dogs where not a certain breed and they where not dangerous. They will not insure certain dog. Thanks.

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Here in Vermont anyway, we have no problem getting homeowner's insurance with a woodstove. The majority of folks have them. You may have to pay a little bit more and your insurance co. may want an inspection of some kind done to be sure you've had a good install. But my insurance agent asked me only if I had a woodstove, not what kind or who installed it or when or any other details.

Not being a DIY guy anyway. I think that as long as you get a certified sweep to do the install, and something in writing. eg: that all is well in wonderland. You should be okay. If it is done right,it`s done right. Then it is up to your insurance company to send someone out to see/odds are that ain`t gonna happen.

Just keep the receipt for all work done. That I think is crucial. keep the receipt. Just my 2cents worth!

Hi, you should do a search on insurance here because we have discussed this a few times before and there are some old threads about it. Basically you need to tell your insurance company ahead of time that you are going to get a wood stove and they will tell you what, if any, additional info they need from you. Haven't heard of any companies that won't insure them at all, but I assume they will want a safe and legal installation, and may need to inspect it themselves (my company did.) It only cost us about $30/year extra to add the woodstove coverage.

My insurance company AAA Michigan said the fact that I had a fireplace listed on the policy in the first place nothing need to be done as fare as they are concerned its one and the same.

This is what i did

HearthStone Heritage break in fire!!

https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/3106/

My agent wanted a photo of the stove. His main concern was the fireproof material surrounding the stove. $50 more per year.

The companies I deal with in my agency only care that it is installed to code. They all have a form to fill out, some require a picture, and only 1 charges a fee of $25 per appliance. Every state and company is different though and the best thing to do is ask your agent!

My insurance company AAA Michigan said the fact that I had a fireplace listed on the policy in the first place nothing need to be done as fare as they are concerned its one and the same.

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I have State Farm here in Michigan. The guy said it didn't make one bit of difference about the stove. I said "ya know, it's not for looks, I heat 100% with it". He took one picture and went on his way.

Your best advice by all is that you need to contact your specific company and see what they want. Some want nothing, some want an installation certificate, some will come and inspect to verify clearances and fireproofing.
Most companies will insure you. Some will charge extra and some will not.
I insure many with no problem, but have to complete a site survey to assure proper installation.
But then, that is really to protect your life and home by making sure you are protected from the risk.
That's the point of it all, to make sure you don't die in a house fire, and if by chance something goes wrong that you have a chance.
By the way, when you do install the wood stove, make sure you have at least one smoke detector on each floor in the smoke path and at least one CO2 detector on the floor leading to the bedrooms, etc.

As one man said, "Better Safe than Sorry".

swestall said:

By the way, when you do install the wood stove, make sure you have at least one smoke detector on each floor in the smoke path and at least one CO2 detector on the floor leading to the bedrooms, etc.

As one man said, "Better Safe than Sorry".

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My stove is on the first floor and bedrooms in the basemant..... I bought the wireless Kiddie detectors that when one goes off they all go off..... I don't want the stove sitting in my daughters bed before i know theres a problem! I would highly recomend these for anybody with similar set ups. Remember smoke and heat rises and there could be a huge problem by the time the smoke got down stairs to wake you up!

When I talked to my insurance company all they wanted was pictures of the install and to make sure everything met code.

Depending on where you live you'll need a permit and inspection to be legal. Not pulling a permit and having an install inspected if required can give your insurance company an out if a fire damages or destroys your house.

My second wood stove added about $15 a year onto my insurance to cover the cost of replacing the stove. Replacing the existing insert with an EPA approved one added nothing.

This thread reminded me to check my smoke detector batteries. Thank you. I also have a CO alarm. Taking it a step further I have fire extinguishers on each level and a ready to charge hose reel on the wood stove level. I also have some chimfex dry chemical sticks to use in the stove in case of a chimney fire. Though I've never had a stove problem fire extinguishers have been used 3 times over the years-1 electrical fire and 2 with young kids doing what they should not have been doing. Just minor smoke damage one time. I am going to check on the wireless ones. My work involves extensive fire fighting training so I guess that makes me a little anal.

By the way, there is a Hearthstone Heritage that is located in VA. on EBAY.

I investigated this a few years ago for my house, which came with a non-code woodstove. I then went shopping for a new stove but the stove shop said I couldn't get an approved permit because my house is too old and there is wood framing closer than 2" of the chimney. So I contacted the insurance company that used to insure the house for the previous owner but they conveniently lost the file.

There was some weird permit at the municipal hall which they grudgingly let me look at. It was just a card with addresses in my neighbourhood and checkmarks for stove installations. This was something the fire department used to do, but the municipal authorities no longer want anything to do with.

Three different insurance companies for two different houses (CT and VT)....they asked if stove was installed by qualified professional...there was a small upcharge. On the bright side, the upcharge for having a swimming pool or a doberman would be much much higher!

Might not apply to you, but I have been told by my landlord that they can't get insurance which allows a rentor to use a wood stove. Might be important to ask about if you plan to rent our your house.

Regarding fire safety and smoke or co detectors, Be aware that most children including many older than 21 will not awake when an alarm goes off. You must physically wake them and guide them out. Having a plan in case of fire is good if they are awake but if they are sleeping it's all up to you. One more reason to be pro active and fire safe.

Last week I installed a wood stove in my fireplace. As per usual, I didn't check into the insurance cost before I bought and installed the stove. Fortunately, when I did call the insurance company about the stove, the only thing they said was that I'd have to fill out a questionaire, but that there would be no increased cost - they didn't seem too concerned, so that's good.

My brother checked with Erie, because he had their auto insurance. Wood stove...no way.
I checked with my insurance...AARP Hartford...they need a paper that says it's to code, at no extra cost.

I'm with State Farm. My agent emailed me a one page form to fill out.

My rates didn't change at all.

For what it's worth, I already had a fireplace in the house. If I hadn't had one before, my rates might have changed. I don't know.

-SF

I'm with Allstate, and I called my agent today because of this thread. He said I didn't have to do anything. He said since there was an existing fireplace, nothing changes according to Allstate.

Re. fire detectors and Co alarms, here's an interesting article. Mother and 4 children die in Vt. fire.
http://www.firerescue1.com/prevention/articles/350249/. Not to belabor the importance of being fire smart but as usual we only get a piece of the picture from our gov. Spend a few $$ and get both types for your home. If mine go off from burnt toast I consider it a test and know that if the -- hits the fan my family has a fighting chance.
Ps. When's the last time you tested and change batterries?

Here in NJ its no problem to get insurance, I have a wood stove and a wood furnace in the house. Our issue is getting them in the house in the first place because here you need a permit for everything followed by an inspection for everything!