Any homeowners insurance policy that doesn't have a gun clause in it?

[srv656s]

We're shopping for insurance right now for the house we're building, and I know that some insurance companies have a cap on how much they will pay to have guns replaced. For my renters insurance right now with State Farm, they have a cap of like $5k for what they will pay for guns. You can buy supplemental insurance to cover your guns, but I would like to just go with a company that doesn't have any gun clause.

If you have any recommendations, lemme know!

Shawn

 

[Standing Wolf]

Your best firearms insurance bet may be the company recommended by the N.R.A.: it lets you buy as much as you need, and doesn't require makes, models, and serial numbers.

 

[petrel800]

Read your policy. Most likely, Firearms are only capped for loss due to theft. If your house were to burn down you would receive full Replacement Cost. I would however steer you away from making gun claims on a homeowners policy. Get a insurance policy through the NRA.

As for HO insurance. I would recommend the Cincinnati Insurance Company. They are a superior company and have very personalized service. They are constantly rated by consumer reports with highest satisfaction for claims.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I forgot to mention earlier: American Family Insurance won't cover your firearms unless you provide their makes, models, and serial numbers. Some years ago, State Farm tried to weasel out of paying on a claim for stolen firearms, and relented only after I contacted my state attorney general's office.

 

[Girlwithagun]

We have a Geico policy which is written by Travelers. They have a cap on items like jewelry and firearms unless you buy an additional amount. We just recently decided we needed to buy some of the extra coverage so we purchased 6K worth for $120 a year. I think the price they quoted us for 10K worth was somewhere around $200 a year. They didn't need to know what kind of guns they are or their serial numbers.

WARNING! When I called to get this coverage, I was asked how many guns I owned and the value of the most expensive one. Then, the lady proceeded to ask me how the guns were stored, if the ammo was kept seperate, the ages of my children and what I use the guns for. I was caught off-guard and answered the questions but later I called back and said I felt like it wasn't their buisness to ask how many kids I have and what I do with my guns. They said they could not remove the information and that when I told them of the number of guns we own, the screen popped up prompting these questions to be asked. I asked if it was going to raise my insurance next time my policy renews and they said that the underwriters will make a risk determination at that time. Whatever that means.

 

[Firethorn]

they said that the underwriters will make a risk determination at that time. Whatever that means

What it means is that the statisticians will figure out how much on average your policy is going to cost them so they know how much to charge.

It's a standard "non-answer" for the question "are my rates going to rise?"

As for all the questions, well I can see asking if expensive jewelry is going to be stored in some kind of safe. My guns, in a locker, are more easily stolen than the ones in my dad's kilopound safe. Of course, dad's guns are worth kilobucks more. I don't know about the number of kids part, but I'm sure that those statisticians are trying to collect all sorts of information so they can track the probabilities.

 

[Jon3]

You can purchase an insurance rider for additional coverage, if you want. Insurance companies are very good about selling you coverage for damn near anything, as long as you're willing to pay for it!

 

[moredes]

I did a lot of shopping around, NRA included, and the general "going rate" is ~$16 per $100 of insured value, i. e., $20,000 in insured guns would cost ~$320 a year. State Farm does have a cap, and I think the max depends on your policy provisions. It doesn't cover your guns when they're in your car (even if your car is in the home's garage). Vehicle insurance covers then. That's why I went with a "rider" policy.

 

[Snake Eyes]

BE CAREFUL--

When I last shopped for a HO policy 6 months ago, I had three different companies refuse to insure me PERIOD because of the number of guns I owned.

Safeco was the snottiest about it--said they think anyone that owns more than one gun is too dangerous to insure.

My biggest greatest fear with this issue is that it ends up in my CLU report and every future potential insurer has access to it.

Don't know what a CLU report is? Find out--you'll stop worrying about the government once you understand that the REAL "Big Brother" is the insurance industry. And, NO, you can't see, have a copy of, or dispute anything on your CLU report.

 

[John Ross]

I used to be insured with a SAFECO "Prestige Plus" policy that did not have a gun exclusion.

My agent got me a better deal with a Firemen's Fund policy, also with no exclusion.

Read the article I wrote on this subject:

http://www.john-ross.net/insurance.htm

Add-on or separate policies are WAY too expensive for serious collections.

JR

 

[CAS700850]

Funny, my wife works for an insurance company. They never asked about the number of firearms, value, or anything, when we purchased our insurance. Of course, I don't (yet) own enough to exceed the cap on coverage, so that may make a difference.

Another issue to consider is depreciation. Wife says that they will depreceate the firearms and many accessories (holsters) on a set schedule. Meaning, the Galco Jackass rig I use for my Glock is darn near worthless, because I've had it for five years. Remember, actual condiction doesn't matter. A 99% Second Generation Colt SAA is just an old handgun to the voice on the telephone.

As a funny aside, my wife and several co-wrokers would often call me to check on gun information. On guy once told her he had a Smith and Wesson Dirty Harry Special Limited Edition worth $3,000. When she asked what caliber, he said .22.

 

[Firethorn]

CAS700850,

You can dispute this. Normal furnature depreciates. Heirloom furniture appreciates. IE it goes down in value before it goes up. Have your guns appraised, then it doesn't matter that a 5 year old item is only worth 20% in their minds.

 

[gezzer]

Always get garunteed replacment cost on your homeowners insurance , both for your house and content.

Your holster would get replaced with the same make and model if it is still available.

 

[CAS700850]

Mea Culpa.

Props to those of you who pointed out that replacement costs is an option on insurance. And, also for the idea of having your firearms appraised, much like jewelry or antiques, to guarantee the proper replacement value for the items.

 

[Rockrivr1]

I'm really glad srv656s posted this. I originally asked my insurance agent if guns were covered under my insurance policy and received a yes in return. I covered everything with a replacement policy thinking this would cover, well, everything. I'll need to go back and make sure there isn't a cap. I never even thought there would be. I guess it's stupid of me to not read the WHOLE fine print. I'm covered through Arbella. I'll be calling them today. Thanks again for the heads up!!!!!!

 

[Steelcore]

I have a pet wolfdog.He guards the house when I am at work.Burglars don't want to mess with large dogs,especially wolf hybrids.Statistically folks who have dogs are less likely to be robbed than folks who don't.

 

[wolf]

Burglars don't want to mess with large dogs,especially wolf hybrids.

Ohhh....wolf likes burglers...nothin wrong with em at all...just as tasty as...well...ya know...that .. Lil Red incident

wolf

 

[artherd]

we purchased 6K worth for $120 a year.

So, they figure that in 50 years, we are ALL going to have ALL of our stuff stolen?