Outdoor Wood Furnace Info

All-Purpose OWF Discussions => General Outdoor Furnace Discussion => Topic started by: Jd79 on April 28, 2014, 04:03:07 PM

Title: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: Jd79 on April 28, 2014, 04:03:07 PM
Talked to the insurance agent over the last few days regarding my build.  He contacted the underwriter, who said no way they would cover a home-made wood stove.  He kept cited UL listing and NFPA211 compliance to underwrite.  I kept trying to explain that it was not in the house, but out in the field behind the house, but I guess the underwriter is too deaf/dumb to understand the difference between a wood stove IN a house and an outdoor wood furnace AKA hydronic heater sitting 100 feet from the house.  I couldn't find anything in NFPA 211 that referenced outdoor wood burners, but I realize he's already set in his decision.  I also noted that it was not the primary, but a supplemental source of heat once it was finished.  The conversation ended with me letting them know that once I get it finished, I would be switching insurance companies to one that wants my business.  Personally, I think it's ridiculous.  I could understand if it was some hack-job that somebody was trying to put in their living room, but an outdoor wood furnace?  Gimme a break.  Just a head's up for any of you who may be building or planning to build one and currently have Kentucky Farm Bureau insurance for your carrier.
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: Scott7m on April 28, 2014, 04:14:36 PM
Most of my customers have farm burau her in ky

They are partners with empyre boilers or at least they were last year

Where u live.
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: Jd79 on April 28, 2014, 04:37:16 PM
Just outside Owensboro.  The hang-up is that I built it and it's not commercially made.  Time to shop for a new carrier!
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: ecc_33 on April 28, 2014, 04:38:14 PM
I went through the same thing. My insurance was twice as much becuase of my wood boiler. My agent even knows what I have but she can't do anything about it. It sucks. It took two weeks to find someone to insure my construction loan.
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: Scott7m on April 28, 2014, 04:38:54 PM
Ahhhh.....   They arent getting it through there heads how it operates or they'd gladly cover it
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: mlappin on April 28, 2014, 04:41:30 PM
Ahhhh.....   They arent getting it through there heads how it operates or they'd gladly cover it

I think the same people that came up with Obamacare and did the website also set insurance regs.
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: merrellroofing on April 28, 2014, 07:19:09 PM
Farm bureau has been screwy around here lately. They sent me a cancellation notice with no reason for cancellation. They are canceling one of my buddies for  having a small wood stove in his garage that has been there for 18 yrs.
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: Jwood on April 28, 2014, 07:35:36 PM
It's almost impossible to get insurance around here if you want a woodstove in your house. The first question from my insurance company was are you going to put in a woodstove, I said no and he said GOOD!
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: MattyNH on April 28, 2014, 07:43:21 PM
It's almost impossible to get insurance around here if you want a woodstove in your house. The first question from my insurance company was are you going to put in a woodstove, I said no and he said GOOD!
thats pretty amazing..I guess it really depends on where or what part of the country you live in…Myself, parents , relatives,  neighbors, friends, even a general store, (thats 2 miles from me)…All have wood stoves in the house/store .All covered by insurance ..
 
Title: Re: Major insurance hurdle
Post by: Hammersquash on April 29, 2014, 06:08:52 PM
  I had no problem getting either of my wood stoves on my policy.  In  Canada as long as you can get your stove WETT tested (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) certified its as easy as pie.  Only thing I needed to do in my shop for the convection stove is build a new frame for it to get the firebox a bit higher off the floor.