Is this laying it on too thick?

Got a "supplemental heating questionare" from my insurance company today. Let me know if this is too thick and should I tone it back. To the best of my knowledge all statements are true.


Dear Madeleine:

Concerning the supplemental heating questionnaire, I just wanted to clarify a few things that were not easily conveyed on the form. We have two supplemental heating devices, a wood stove insert and pellet stove that replaced a non-epa certified stove which we were not using. Both of these units are sitting in existing brick fireplaces with their own flues. I have been burning wood since was 10 years old. We would burn 8 chords of wood in my family home when I was growing up. I know the amount of wood because I used to do most of the stacking and tending when dad was not around.

The wood stove insert (Hampton HI300) was installed into and existing open fireplace in 2009. It was purchased new from a local dealer. I used a 6" UL listed 304 stainless steel liner to line the inside of the existing chimney, per the manufactures specifications. All end attachments were listed for use with the stove and the liner. I have the necessary brushes and poles to clean this chimney 2x per year. It is cleaned once at the beginning of the heating season, and once halfway through.

We have a wing of our ranch home that is not heated by this stove. It had a very old stove that was not EPA certified, and we never used it. It came with the house when we bought it 4 years ago. We removed this stove from the hearth and installed a Lennox Montage pellet stove this past fall. We expect to burn between 1 and 2 tons of pellets because this for supplemental heat only in a 400 sq ft area. I installed a 4" stainless steel liner in this chimney (which is separate from the previously mentioned chimney) according to the manufactures recommendation. All end attachments were listed for use with the stove and the liner. The stove gets cleaned on a bi-weekly basis and the chimney liner will get brushed after the first ton of pellets are used. Both chimneys have stainless steel weather caps on them to protect them from the elements.

I will be happy to furnish pictures of the installs if that would help. All set-backs to combustibles have been meet according to manufactures specs. Our home has hardwired smoke detectors and supplemental CO detectors as well. For what it is worth I am also a licensed master electrician in the State of NH.

Sincerely,

I'd go with it.

My personal opinion of things like this is to only answer the actual questions they ask....don't offer anything more than that.

Yes.. I thought about this, but I did not want to give this an opportunity to grow legs. I have heard of the old saying
Never write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink..ect

Would be helpful if we knew the question they asked. If they asked what kind of wood stove you had...and thats your answer...its too thick. As with most things, if you have to ask you may already know the answer.

FYI.. the questionnaire was scheisse... My 10 year old could have done a better job in putting together more appropriate questions.

Well written but I would limit the answer to only what they ask.

My biggest concern is that when they see a homeowner installing their own wood burning appliances, they will immediately throw the red flag. I simply wanted to write the letter so they might understand that I am not a moron when it comes to wood burning. They asked about set backs and also asked about the date and who installed the equipment. They did not ask if the chimneys were lined or what type of equipment was being replaced. They asked many more questions about the wood stove than the pellet stove. I realized that someone uneducated was writing this thing when they asked if I was burning hard or soft wood.. I felt like saying "How about asking me how long do I season my wood for" instead. Soft wood burns fine when seasoned. I do not burn soft wood.. just realized the survey was not worth the paper it was written on.

Your insurance sounds as competant as the federal goverment. Cant understand or implement the rules or guides they write.

When I originally visited my Insurance agent to talk about adding a pellet stove to the home they wanted to inspect the installation. On my second contact (after the install) once they heard me say that is was professionally installed they were happy to hear that and did not need to schedule a home visit.

I would think they might want to schedule a visit and see your installs. Can't say I blame them some people do a poor job. Yours sounds like a very good install and maintenance schedulso you should have nothing to worry about. Simply a formality to cover there own butts.

My opinion your are going into to much detail, keep it simple, answer what is asked and that's it.

Did the stoves get inspected after installation? If so I would stress that a permit was pulled and everything passed inspection. If an inspection was required and not performed your insurance company can deny any related claims in the future and will probably cancel you as a result of their questionnaire.

I spoke with my agent before having mine installed, he stated as long as I kept my primary heat source installed and in working order there was no problem.

Same with my insurance co.(Erie) I told them I installed it myself and I followed manufactures spec. And that was the end of it, they were not really concerned since it was a pellet stove and not my primary heat source, wink wink,,, he did say if it was a wood burning stove it would require a inspection and an insurance rider.

*Cord

"manufacturer's" (in three places)

I also received a supplemental questionnaire, but my install was dealer completed. I answered the questions only but provided a photo of the stove lable indicating it ws UL approved and a photo of the manual page showing required clearances based on the install with mine circled. I did have the local fire department come do an inspection - free - and provide a letter that it was installed to spec and included this with the questionnaire. You can, of course, state that your stove was installed by a master electrician and that would not be a lie.......

First of all, I would just answer their questions first and see what happens. Secondly, if they balked, I would offer whatever they ask for or whatever you think might further your cause. Thirdly, if none of that resolved their concerns and a they did not offer full coverage of your home, I would seek out a new insurance company.

My insurance company wanted to send their inspector to look at my installation. At first, being a fire chief and inspector myself, I felt a little insulted. But after thinking about it, and considering the fact that they had no idea what I did for a living, I consented. The inspector came and it became quite apparent he was just going through the company policies and procedures. He took pictures and ask questions. And although I did not let on, quite frankly, he had no idea what he was doing. He commented that everything looked good and he would be writing it up that way. I thanked him and he left. Mission accomplished.

Oh, he was right.....everything did look good

I agree with tfdchief, answer the questions that they ask, do not embellish. I have had my install inspected by the local building official, also a pellet burner. I do underatand the concern that they may have. I mean, look at some of the posts here, at the installations. It can be quite scarey. They have to replace your home if it burns down, so don't take it personally.

Right now I'm going to set back and enjoy my "secondary" heating source.

That is EXACTLY what could happen if you give them too much to think about. Just as a lawyer would advise a client, answer ONLY what you're asked....nothing more.

If they have further questions, answer them the same way.

Too much information-TMI......

answer only what is asked better that way sometimes too much info looks like you are hiding things. my philosphy is KISS=keep it simple stupid

If by chance (I hope never have too) have to use your policy the first thing they are going to do is check with underwriting, pull your letter and then ask the same questions you answered looking for inconsistencies in your reply. This is so the claim can be denied. Answer the form only and save a copy with your homeowners policy. IMO.

Our form from the insurance company was more of a fill in the blank as far as actual measurments from wall, then what the manufactor recommended. we exceeded clearance on all.

Don't pull on Super Man's cape.