Not on my Side!

[jbwiz]

I am (was) planning on installing an Osburn 1600 freestanding woodstove in my family room as a supplemental heat source. Before doing any ordering or construction I thought it best to check with my home owner's insurance company, the agent I spoke to told me that they require a 36" clearance from any wall. Wall construction does not matter, combustible or non combustible. I was going to do the install myself, a non combustible wall made with artifical stone over cement board with a 1" airspace on a corner wall, a non combustible hearth with adequate clearance (18" in front of door, etc.), triple wall stove pipe chimney through the roof (cathedral ceiling kit) 18"-20" clearance on single wall stovepipe. I would place the stove further away than what the manufacturers suggested distance from a combustible wall is (15"rear, 17"side, 12"corner) just to be safe. The agent told me that this is their policy and cannot be changed, it doesn't matter what I build. I was also told that I could install the stove (per manufacturer's guidelines) but in case of a problem (fire) I may or not be covered. I know the easiest solution is to change insurance carriers but I would rather not do that if possible even though I hate their commercials with the guy walking around carrying a big blue telephone. Any suggestions on how to handle this, it's starting to get cold and oil prices keep going up.
jbwiz

 

[Slow1]

I think you have pretty much stated your options:

1) install with the crazy 36" clearance as your agent wants
2) install as per mfg requirements and 'risk' a denial (as stated by your agent)
3) Get a new insurance company/agent and install per mfg requirements.

Note that with both 2&3 if you really do install per code/mfg requirements you will be just as safe (assuming you operate the stove properly and dispose of ashes correctly etc). Whatever you do decide, just be sure you do in fact do a safe install per mfgr minimum clearances.

 

[begreen]

I'd shop for new insurance. we did this last month and ended up with quite a savings. All the new company wanted was to be sure that the stove and flue pipe were installed per mfg. reqs.

 

[Shari]

Well, yes, you could shop for a new agent - but - why not 'teach' your current one?

Send them the stove manual. Let them see for themselves what the manufactures spec are.

The distance to combustibles you quoted are for the old style, non-EPA rated stoves.

Your insurance company is working off of 'old' info.

Educate them.

Once they are educated, get their approval in writing!

Shari

 

[firefighterjake]

As much as a pain it might be I would go with Slow's Option C and take BeGreen's advice . . . you might be pleasantly surprised. Personally, every few years I check on rates with other companies . . . just to make sure I am paying a decent amount . . . and honestly . . . so far . . . I can't complain about my insurance company's rates, customer service or service when I have had to use them . . . which is fortunately quite rare. I would ask around . . . and shop around.

 

[CarbonNeutral]

I'm with Amica - they were great about the stove, and have been a joy to deal with for the two (not-at-fault) car accidents we've had.

EDIT: I would change insurers, but call them up to tell them why you're cancelling...

 

[Dakotas Dad]

My wife, who was an agent, and an adjuster and still works in insurance (IT, she trains agencies on the best way to run their company and use her companies software) says: "get a new company". The one you are with are idiots.

 

[RedGuy]

I'll put a little plug in here for Farm Bureau, they where great to deal with on me putting my own stove in. My agent sent me all the specs and information I needed before I started to install, he came out today, took a pic on the stove, took a pic of the chimney, said it looked great, fire it up! Plus as I installed it as an insert no premium increase. For me too they where the cheapest, some wouldn't even offer me insurance due to my oil tank being below ground.

 

[jbwiz]

I appreciate the advice. The consensus seems to be to change insurance companies. The agent is looking further into this and I should hear from her tomorrow. She told me that numerous policy holders have wood stoves that have less than the 36" clearance, when I asked if they are covered in case of a fire she was not sure... it would be determined at that time! Not to mention any names but the insurance company uses the slogan "on your side", is this an Ohio thing or do other "on your side" policy holders in other states have to abide by the same rule? Appreciate all the help and I will definitly try to educate them, I already printed an owners manual to show them along with the literature. Thanks
jbwiz

 

[RedGuy]

SXounds to me like lack of knowlege on the part of your agent.

 

[prairiefire]

i would agree with redguy, seems like an agent problem sounds like she doesn't know what she is doing. we had the same problem when we went to insure our stove, tried to talk to the local agent numerous times about it but she kept saying it was too expensive to do and i should just get an electric fireplace. this stove has been in this house and insured by the previous owner for the last 18 years! i went down the road to a different agent (same insurance company) and had it insured within 2 days. definatley helps dealing with someone who knows there business

 

[wkpoor]

I'm with SF and my agent is turning a blind eye to my wood burning habit. I got a notice this year that SF wood (hehe) be charging a 75.00 surcharge for operating a "solid fuel burning appliance". Have yet to see it on my bill though.

 

[cabotb]

We use Amica also. They were great about the stove for us to and much more affordable than the big guys I quoted at the same time.

 

[joshlaugh]

I also suggest shopping around for insurance. We had Horace Mann since my wife is a teacher but they were a headache to deal with. USAA gave us a good rate and the two wood stoves were not an issue as long as they were installed per specs.

 

[branchburner]

I also would bet it is the agent, not the company. I expect they do make exceptions, but prefer not to if they are not pushed a bit and handed all the info they need. Do some pushing, and if that turns out not to work, then you can walk.

 

[begreen]

Indeed, we cut out the agent who was shopping for the best deal for us, yet came up with only marginal savings. By dealing directly with a local company I got great, quick service, all questions answered quickly and a substantial savings. The less middlemen the better.

 

[jbwiz]

I had another discussion with my insurance agent. She talked to an inspector today. I am allowed to install the stove with an 18" clearance as long as I put up a steel or asbestos protective shield. I told her I understand the steel shield but I heard from somewhere that asbestos causes cancer so why would they recommend such a material and where can I get it. Her reply was that asbestos does cause cancer but if I looked around I should be able to find some! After a brief pause I then asked about a fireplace. I can put a fireplace in because it has an approved chimney. I next asked if this is a local or state regulation, I was informed that this is their national policy. She did however suggest I put in propane or gas logs because they actually provide more heat than any woodstove. I finally heard enough from this Einstein and was thanked by her for being a responsible homeowner by checking with them first. I realize not all their agents are like this but I would urge any homeowners that have insurance from "on your side" make sure they are covered in case of an incident with a wood stove. Time to go shopping.
jbwiz

 

[RedGuy]

Asbestos! Seems to me this person is working off information from the 1950's! I HIGHLY doubt you'd ever find anyone who will sell asbestost to a residential customer, possibly not even industrial anymore.

 

[sir splitsalot]

I had my insurance agent come over the same time that it was being installed. The installer is WETT certified so the agent then proceeded to tell me that if you get your installation WETT certified it superceeds building code in any area. I would look into it or call a WETT certified installer and ask.

 

[begreen]

Asbestos! Seems to me this person is working off information from the 1950's! I HIGHLY doubt you'd ever find anyone who will sell asbestost to a residential customer, possibly not even industrial anymore.

Could be she is just in a bit over her head.

 

[firefighterjake]

I had another discussion with my insurance agent. She talked to an inspector today. I am allowed to install the stove with an 18" clearance as long as I put up a steel or asbestos protective shield. I told her I understand the steel shield but I heard from somewhere that asbestos causes cancer so why would they recommend such a material and where can I get it. Her reply was that asbestos does cause cancer but if I looked around I should be able to find some! After a brief pause I then asked about a fireplace. I can put a fireplace in because it has an approved chimney. I next asked if this is a local or state regulation, I was informed that this is their national policy. She did however suggest I put in propane or gas logs because they actually provide more heat than any woodstove. I finally heard enough from this Einstein and was thanked by her for being a responsible homeowner by checking with them first. I realize not all their agents are like this but I would urge any homeowners that have insurance from "on your side" make sure they are covered in case of an incident with a wood stove. Time to go shopping.
jbwiz

When you have insurance agents using materials and ideas that are decades old . . . and have no idea about real life heating and as such are basing their policies on old tech and old standards and old beliefs . . . it's time to go shopping as you said.