Hey guys, I'm in the process of purchasing a new home and have a question for you about insurance. The new home has a buck stove already installed on a hearth pad. I talked with my insurance agent today and he is concerned with the setup of the new stove. He said it might be difficult to get insurance to cover the new home bc the stove is installed with drywall behind it. I was eventually wanting to install a nice stone wall behind the stove but I was hoping to get a few other things done first and tackle the wall next spring. Looks like I might have to do the wall first now. Any of you guys heard of insurance companies not allowing drywall behind a stove? Even if you meet CTC's? Another question is if I do have to update the wall what would need to be done to the drywall to make it meet CTC's? I know just putting a material over the drywall won't change the CTC's. Maybe I'm thinking too much into this. Should simply meeting the required distance away from the wall be adequate? Here are a few pics of the current setup. I'll be moving my IR in place of the Buck as soon as I get occupancy.... And obviously setting it further away from the wall. The hearth pad is 54" front to back and 50" wide so it should be possible to meet all CTC's. What do you guys think?
Nice place! Your thinking right CTC's are just that. The existing setup looks to close you'll probably need to take it out or make the switch to get coverage. Just have a tape measure and the owners manual handy when your agent comes by.
Every company and agent is different. When I got the Heritage and the Encore inspected I had the manuals and measuring tape ready to in case someone wanted to be difficult. The agent to one look at the installs and said "those are nice stoves. We're all set, here." I asked what needs to be done when I swap out the stoves for a new stove, since, you know, they all have different clearances. He was like "nothing to worry about, these look good. You aren't buying unsafe stoves so there is nothing to check." I was surprised. I mean, thankfully, they were installed correctly. But, damm, that was pointless.
Your picture makes the rear clearance look kinda close to the wall. But that depends on the stove proper if it meets mfg laid out ctc then there should not be a difficulty physically. Ins.co, inspectors and underwriters, and agents pretty much fall into the uneducated class, nor due they have any incentive to become educated for the most part. Agents are there to write policies, not unlike a used car sales person, Inspectors I have met over the years haven't had much of a clue when it comes to solid fuel appliances, Underwriters are like moles and seldom see the light of day so will play the get out jail free card on anything out of their comfort zone.
Thanks CG! We get occupancy the 26th of the month so I'm going to swap them out then or shortly after.
Good to know BB, hopefully mine goes that smoothly. I swapped out two different stoves at my current home and when I asked my agent about it he said I'm fine since there was already a stove there. Goes to show you right there. Lol
I think you're right Chris, I doubt that stove is installed to meet manufacturer specs. I'm going to see if I can get the specs on it. Not a big deal though since I'm pulling it out and putting my stove in. Just need to make sure of the specs when I install it at my old house.
Mine didn't even come to the house, they asked me "Was the stove professionally installed?" I said I think so and that was good enough for them.......... Would a couple layers of durock get you by until spring? Just an idea. Good luck!! Edit: Just realized how close it was so maybe durock with a S stove pipe to move it away from the wall?
Would that still be necessary if I install my Quad IR and meet all CTC's? The current setup is obviously not right but I won't be using that stove. I would think that with the proper installation it should be fine.
Ours went much like BB the inspector showed up and looked ( no tape ) and said WOW ! You did the install ?!?! To which I said yes is it bad ? He said no you should give lessons to installers looks great. He signed off and walked off. Come to find out we don't need an inspection for a new stove install after this as long as its a swap out. Insurance company's all vary ! We went with AAA to them its just another furnace so no rate hikes or higher premiums. With a few others it would have been very expensive and some just don't allow an instal.
