Called my homeowners and I was surprised.

[Cedrusdeodara]

This week I installed a blockoff plate and insulated my ss liner per UL approved requirements. I also insulated and blocked off an unused flue in my chimney to improve efficiency of my insert. Anyway, feeling that I've covered every base for safety and efficientcy, I decided to finally contact my howeowners insurance company.

I spoke with a rep and told him proudly about my insert, blockoff plate, ss liner, UL insulated liner, etc.... He typed something in to his computer and told me that they didn't know that I had a fireplace and that my annual premium for homeowners would increase about $7.50/year. I didn't know that they didn't have me down for my old fireplace, and $7+ per year was minimal, but I continued with the particulars about my stove and it's install. He asked me if anything else "changed" at my home over the last year. I said no, other than my highly efficient and safe insert.... "Yes we already have that on your policy".

In the end, for my insurance company, they didn't care how it was installed, by who or with what. THey just wanted to know it was there. Is that typical?? I even told him that I sweep the chimney myself at a minimum of once/year, he didn't seem interested.

He did convince me to change another policy to save me some money during the call.

Is this typical of what I should expect with my insurance company?? I must say that I have a wonderful insurance company that has very low rates and only deals with military or family of military.

Brian

 

[meathead]

Mine was the same way - just wanted to know they were there. Didn't care what kind, didn't care how old, etc.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Mine wanted to know that the install was permitted/inspected and said, "Ok." No increase in premium.

Funny they had you down as having an insert, but no fireplace.

Matt

 

[Cedrusdeodara]

Hey Matt,
They didn't have me down as having anything, they didn't even know I had a fireplace. The fireplace/insert added $7.50/yr. That's all.

 

[fossil]

If it happens to be USAA, I've been happy with them since about 1977. That's exactly the kind of service I've come to expect and appreciate from them. They've never disappointed me. Homeowner's & auto/motorcycle. I've no idea whether or not it's typical of other insurance companies, I haven't bothered to use any others for 32 years. Rick

 

[Cedrusdeodara]

Rick,
Yes, you are right and I too will never go elsewhere. They are a great company.
Brian

 

[DBoon]

My insurance company (NY Central Mutual) didn't add anything when I put my wood stove into the fireplace opening (i.e. same as an insert, from their perspective). They already knew that I had a fireplace. The $7.50 for you was probably to add the fireplace that they didn't know you had.

I think they treat inserts differently than freestanding stoves since they believe it is safer given that it is surrounded by masonry.

 

[theheatelement]

Rick, same way... USAA is great military benefits can come in need

My insurance company (NY Central Mutual) didn't add anything when I put my wood stove into the fireplace opening (i.e. same as an insert, from their perspective). They already knew that I had a fireplace. The $7.50 for you was probably to add the fireplace that they didn't know you had.

I think they treat inserts differently than freestanding stoves since they believe it is safer given that it is surrounded by masonry.

 

[bbeals]

had the same sort of issue with State Farm, they new we had a fireplace and could care less that we installed an insert. (no change in policy). He did want clarification that it was an insert and not a stove though.

Not a USAA member yet, however; my neighbor (who works for USAA) claims that they are opening up enrollment to all veterans this year.

 

[PeteD]

I had the same easy experience with USAA - ours was a replacement. As long as it was less than $10k, they did not need any paperwork. They would want paper work to cover a more expensive install in case of a loss.

FYI - they also do not have a banned breed list for dogs (as of right now) - another pet peeve (pun intended) of mine regarding other insurance companies.

Pete

 

[bjkjoseph]

my companies biggest concern was,what kind of dog i had..they had a list of prohibited dogs,and if i got one they would drop me.

 

[weatherguy]

Mine wanted to know that the install was permitted/inspected and said, “Ok.” No increase in premium.

Thats what mine said too, just do it right and let them know when its installed and inspected and have permit.

 

[Stentor]

I told the insurance company I was putting in a pellet stove in an existing chimney and gave them a copy of the inspection permit and the sales brochure with the stove specifications. No added charge.

Giving them the info gives me a little added protection because they can't say it was improperly installed if something happens. Basically they don't care about individuals but are playing the averages to spread risk. (That's what insurance is.) I think that on average the homeowners who get an installation inspected are less likely as a group to have a claim.

 

[PeteD]

I had the same easy experience with USAA - ours was a replacement. As long as it was less than $10k, they did not need any paperwork. They would want paper work to cover a more expensive install in case of a loss.

FYI - they also do not have a banned breed list for dogs (as of right now) - another pet peeve (pun intended) of mine regarding other insurance companies.

Pete

I should add that my DIY was inspected and I told the insurance company so.

 

[Northern NH Mike]

I filled out some paperwork for my insurance company this summer when the policy was renewed; the stove was installed late last fall. They asked for model, clearances, who installed etc. There was no increase in the policy. I seem to remember someone posting last year that companies gathered the info to determine how much it would cost to replace the stove if there was a claim.

 

[myzamboni]

USAA didn't care since I had a fireplace previously.

 

[albertj03]

When I first had my stove installed I called my insurance agent and he said there was nothing I needed to do and no extra cost. I was kind of suspicious so I called the insurance company directly and they said I needed to fill out a form. The form asked if the stove was inspected, the make, model, etc. Good thing I called them directly.

 

[greythorn3]

When I first had my stove installed I called my insurance agent and he said there was nothing I needed to do and no extra cost. I was kind of suspicious so I called the insurance company directly and they said I needed to fill out a form. The form asked if the stove was inspected, the make, model, etc. Good thing I called them directly.

who is your insurance thru?

 

[ohio woodburner]

If it happens to be USAA, I've been happy with them since about 1977. That's exactly the kind of service I've come to expect and appreciate from them. They've never disappointed me. Homeowner's & auto/motorcycle. I've no idea whether or not it's typical of other insurance companies, I haven't bothered to use any others for 32 years. Rick

Just dont ever get rear ended by someone driving a car insured by them :ahhh:

 

[Corey]

Why would they care...they're already taking your money. If they insure 1 million people with fireplaces, that's a cool $7.5 mil in the bank every year. Even if a dozen of those people burn their house down every year, still money in the bank - assuming they aren't all million dollar homes!

 

[Summertime]

Nationwide didn't care that I installed my insert,no upcharge,heck they didn't even ask if it had a permit.

 

[albertj03]

When I first had my stove installed I called my insurance agent and he said there was nothing I needed to do and no extra cost. I was kind of suspicious so I called the insurance company directly and they said I needed to fill out a form. The form asked if the stove was inspected, the make, model, etc. Good thing I called them directly.

who is your insurance thru?

Patrons Oxford

 

[Shaner]

Several folks have commented on USAA. I too have been a USAA member for over 20 years and they are fabulous.

Good news...USAA is opening its membership eligibility to anyone who has served honorably in the armed forces of the United States.

I would highly recommend them.

Regards,
Shane

 

[TANSTAF1]

USAA is one of the best - if you are eligible (military or veteran - E6 and above).

I am unaware of any homeowners policy that has an exclusion for loss or damage due to an unapproved or non-code heating device or the installation thereof once the policy is written.

All homeowners insurers want to know what you have for heating and you need to disclose what you have. At that point if they don't like what they hear, they can turn you down. But once it's in force there is no exclusion. If you had a fireplace, or stove, or insert or whatever and did not disclose it, this might be considered material misrepresentation and there could be a problem with the coverage if that impacts the loss or damage. If you add or change something, some policies might require you to report material changes in hazards, or for some insurers you may have to fill out an application at renewal and that might ask about changes to heating systems. But if disclosed, for the most part once the policy is in force, the most they can do upon learning or a new or changed system is request that you have it inspected or to cancel or non-renew.

The best advice - read your policy - especially the exclusion and warranties sections!

 

[JotulOwner]

Their lack of concern may possibly be due to the fact that what we do isn't their biggest problem.

(broken link removed to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/tfrs/v5i5.pdf)