NRA Gun Insurance

[regal]

You know the NRA gun insurance program to use if someone steals your guns out of your house?


I have pretty much no receipts saved from all the guns I've bought over the years, many were private party and I never thought to save receipts.

If these guns are stolen and I buy this insurance, how do I prove ownership? They don't ask for serials when you pay them with the application.

 

[MT GUNNY]

I wonderd this Myself. hopfully there is some one here that has some Info.

 

[TexasRifleman]

If these guns are stolen and I buy this insurance, how do I prove ownership? They don't ask for serials when you pay them with the application.

Documentation to back it up. Photos, detailed written records, even video.

Personally I have a spreadsheet with quite a bit of details on every firearm; make, serial number, any damage or obvious marks, what i paid, any accessories etc.

I then take each one and get the camcorder. I film the gun from all sides, actually speaking into the camcorder reading anything written on the gun as well as roughly what I paid for it, where I got it, anything I can remember about the thing.

That videotape and the spreadsheet are in a safe deposit box.

Gonna be hard to argue you didn't own it if there is video of you holding it


While you have the camcorder out do the same thing for the rest of the house. Once a year or so go through the house and film everything. Towels, TV's, furniture. Narrate the film with details. Documentation is key.

 

[regal]

Good excuse to buy a camcorder. I guess a cheap webcam would work too.

Thanks for the info.

 

[MMCSRET]

I maintain a running inventory with all pertaining info, that way I can ID all of them.

 

[regal]

Has anyone had to file a claim for a theft, I wonder if the claims adjusters would actually take the time to review videos or just deny based on no receipt.

What would it cost to have guns appraised?

 

[TexasRifleman]

Has anyone had to file a claim for a theft, I wonder if the claims adjusters would actually take the time to review videos or just deny based on no receipt.

My father has been an insurance agent most of his life and the camcorder thing is recommended by Allstate and many other companies. There are actually companies now that will come videotape houses for folks that buy homeowners insurance. It's getting to be the most common method. My dad keeps an old camcorder at his office and lets his customers use it when he sells them a homeowners policy.

Think about it, do you really believe insurance companies would stay in business if they made homeowners produce a receipt for everything in a house?

Who keeps receipts for towels, toilet paper, frying pans, brooms.

But, in a total loss all of that stuff is covered.... IF you can show it was in the house.

An adjuster that denied a claim on anything without an original purchase receipt would be fired in a very short time and insurance companies would be sued into the ground.

I'm not a lawyer etc but that's a bit on the paranoid side to think that all claims will be denied without an original receipt.

Besides, an appraisal doesn't prove ownership either, just value.

Oh if you do the videotape or digital picture be sure to set the cameras date and time and set it where that shows up on the images.

From Allstates webpage, as an example:

What Will I Need to Show Proof of Ownership for Property Stolen From My Home?

Providing any of the following will help support your claim: receipts, owners manuals, warranty cards, appraisals, photographs or original manufacturers boxes.

And more from State Farm:

http://www.statefarm.com/learning/loss_prevent/learning_loss_homeinventory1.asp?WT.svl=13

 

[Rio Laxas]

It also wouldn't hurt to take your firearms to your favorite local gun store and get them to do an in depth appraisal. Make sure copies of it are at the gun store and some safe place other than your house in case of fire or theft.

 

[Zundfolge]

If these guns are stolen and I buy this insurance, how do I prove ownership? They don't ask for serials when you pay them with the application.

I went through this a while back. I had a handgun stolen from my home.

Basically all I had to give the NRA insurance folk was a copy of the police report. I included the serial number of the gun in question (I recommend everyone write down the make, model and serial number of all their guns and keep it somewhere safe).

They determined the value of the gun and paid me accordingly (minus the $100 deductible). The pricing seemed fair to me so I didn't argue with them, but I imagine if you felt they grossly undervalued your gun you could go back and forth with them.

Overall my experience with them was pretty good (I've delt with bad insurance companies before).


Also note that as an NRA member you automatically have a free $1000 policy.

 

[btg3]

Also note that as an NRA member you automatically have a free $1000 policy.

As a homeowner, I automatically have $5000 coverage for firearms.

I did not know this until I asked, but it eliminated one incentive to join NRA. If I made a claim, I wonder if both would pay? Policies vary, so yours may not be like this. Renters should have a policy for contents coverage, but most here should ask whether firearms are included or if a rider is available.

If you need a high level of coverage, don't be surprised if the insurer wants you to provide appraisals.

 

[Jubjub]

I made a claim recently on a Smith revolver that was stolen during a car burglary. I couldn't find the receipt. On the claim form, I put in the amount that I paid, which was guesstimated, but probably within $10 or $20. I did have a receipt for the gunsmith work done (trigger job and chamber chamfer), and a picture of the gun sporting the aftermarket grips that were on it, and listed the cost of the grips.

I recieved a check that seemed very fair. They do have a $100 deductible, but after that, it was pretty much what I told them that I had in the gun.

 

[christcorp]

....I did not know this until I asked, but it eliminated one incentive to join NRA.....

I hope you didn't actually decide NOT to join the NRA based on what type of INSURANCE you automatically get as a benefit for joining???? If you want to buy insurance for your guns, then go buy insurance. If you want to have an organization fight for your 2nd amendment rights in Washington D.C. and promote firearm rights and safety; then join the NRA. Sorry. Not trying to be a prick; but when I am purchasing something, I relate the cost to the GOODS or SERVICES. When you join the NRA, you a purchasing a SERVICE. You AREN'T PURCHASING GOODS. Yes, they might try and entice you with a magazine subscription, a duffel bag, insurance, etc... I consider those freebies and nice to have. And if there were 2 or more providers of the SAME SERVICES, these Freebies might be what leans me one way or the other. But when I pay for or support SPECIALIZED SERVICES; such as the NRA, University Alumni, favorite charity, Boy Scouts, etc... I am doing it for the service that they are providing me. Not for some free gift they are adding to it. But I understand that there are some people that WANT SOMETHING as a token. And that's why they offer such items. Yes it's nice. But I would never choose to support not support an organization based on their "FREE GIFTS" or "Benefits". Not unless there was an equal competitor that provided the same service.

 

[Flame Red]

http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/default.htm

 

[ThrottleJockey72]

I hope you didn't actually decide NOT to join the NRA based on what type of INSURANCE you automatically get as a benefit for joining????

Yah, there are PLENTY of other good reasons not to give the NRAin't your hard earned money.

 

[joeleitz]

if you're looking for free insurance quotes on what it would cost to cover your home or car and protect you, should your guns get stolen, you can look it up online. Yes, you don't have to be a member of the NRA to get insurance.

 

[leadcounsel]

I also have that insurance. Here's what I do.

I compile all of my guns on an excell spreadsheet. Everytime I update it I email myself a copy. That does a few things:
1. Gives me a copy of my records if my computer is lost, stolen or destroyed
2. Provides a reliable date stamp on my records which should be adequate for law enforcement and insurance purposes.

 

[Pate]

I also just applied for insurance from the NRA. It seems like the best deal around. I use http://www.somanyroads.org/gunsafe/index.html to keep everything documented.

 

[Byron]

I spent 25 years as a multi line Casualty/Property Insurance Adjuster. The insurance company must prove you did not have it. In a total house fire,barrels and frames are easily found. In regard to theft,I accepted most claims face value. Many will have records on serial numbers. If questionable,I may take a statement under oath.Collector firearms are usually scheduled. Again, it is the burden of the insurance company to disprove the claim. Normally there is a limit under the policy for theft but this does not apply to fire. I am going from the states I adjusted in. Some companies,not all, just seem to want to deny everything. A simple question is are they acting in Bad Faith,a legal term. If problems,go to the head of claims and keep calling until your claim is satisfied. Never fail to go to the Home Office. The powers to be do not like to get bothered. Byron

 

[Ifishsum]

Good advice given in previous posts. Document make/model/serial number/caliber, at least a photo if possible, optics, customization, etc. I even keep track of month/year acquired and price paid. The more info the better. If any piece in your collection is of exceptional or unusual value, it really should be appraised and scheduled separately in order to assist you in getting the fairest reimbursement.

Basically, if all the info you have is that it was a 1970s era Savage .30-06 with a scope, you are likely to get the lowest possible value. But if it's documented properly, including the $100 bedding job, $150 Timney trigger, $75 tip-off scope mounts and $650 Leupold Vari-X III scope, you are more likely to get close to a fair loss reimbursement. Don't be dishonest - but legitimate improvements that are documented beforehand will help you get closer to pre-loss condition.

 

[Byron]

Keep in mind the ins company has only the policy to guide by. The policy does not require photos,receipts etc but just a description. Somehow people think they are at the mercy of the adjuster. A proper adjuster will talk to the insured. If need be, ask a reprsentative to come out as you should not have to go to them. Some companies will try to intimidate you and cut the claim cost to a minimum. Hold your ground if you have that type of company. Byron