Indoor wood burners and insurance

do any of you folks have trouble finding insurance companies that will write you a home owners policy listing your wood stove as a "primary" heat source? I have found only 1. I'm with them now and the rate doesn't seem out of hand. It would be nice to shop around. My install is solid and my house and roof are metal.(it's a pole barn). This stove isn't going to burn my house.

 

My company (Maine mutual) didn't ask if I had a wood stove, let alone whether it was the primary heat source,when I told them they just said OK, no inspection.

 

Do you have any other form of heat in the home? The word "primary" with regards to heat source and insurance means something different than what we think on this site. I certainly use wood heat for 100% of my heating and have for years. It is my primary heat source. However, I also have a thermostatically powered electric wall heater in every room that could theoretically heat the place if I needed them to. Those wall heaters are my primary heat source as far as insurance is concerned. Wood heat or other manual heaters like kerosene heaters may not be a primary heat source. Only a fool would heat their house with a woodstove!

 

I have no furnace no duct work no registers no base board heaters. The wood stove is not my primary source it's my sole source.

 

I asked if the small portable electric heaters I have for shoulder season would count. I was told no.

 

So if you get really sick or injured or need to leave your home in the winter, what happens to keep the pipes from freezing? What if the glass breaks on your princess or some other stove failure that can't be worked around?

I would recommend an automatic, thermostatic, central heat system of some sort. Cheap to install and with no maintenance is the baseboard/wall heaters. You don't have to ever use them but if something happens where you can't burn wood then you'll be glad to have them.

 

I have Country Company as my insurance and all I had to do is take a few pictures of stove installed and inches from walls and so on. Mine went up 5.00 a year. I am like you Missouri Wood is my sole heat BUT we are going to install a gas was stove this fall as a just in case we need it or have to be away. There are a few insurance company's here that will not allow you to have a wood stove or out door furnace.

 

at some point we will be installing mini split system for ac and heat....rarley heat.

 

My situation is identical to yours. I tried online, agents, referrals, etc. and only had one company who would consider me. I paid lots for that insurance.

Then Farmers Insurance came through, theirs policy is substantially less (and better coverage) than my first insurer.

Greg

 

If you cannot get a quote online try a broker and a Farmers agent. The broker got me my first policy, the Farmers agent got me the better policy.

Greg

 

I'm currently with farm bureau. Like I've said I don't think the price is out of line but...... Choices are nice. Guess insurance companies don't much like us cavemen.

 

I have erie insurance asked if stove was ul listed. Costs 175 more a year.

 

Thanks bud. I've got a few new companies to try

 

Try Geico Homesite

 

Our State Farm agent came out and measured to confirm clearances, took pictures. He had to prove to the underwriters that the install is safe and in compliance. Added the stove to the policy for $40 per year. Propane furnace is primary though it is seldom used.

 

Can you please explain the use of the RV anti freeze in the traps? Dennis you don't strike me as the snow bird type.