Log Home Insurance

[kurtunger]

I have read in the FAQs that you should be able to get insurance for your log home. My experience is contrary to that. In fact I am tired of dealing with insurance companies that have no clue about log home construction and would rather just deny coverage... Having been refused by several major insurance agencies, I would like to ask the readers out there for their experiences in getting their homes insured and if they recommend (or have had a good experince with) a particular carrier... this would help me a lot....

Hand crafted log home in Montana...

Much appreciated,

Kurt

[GammaRae]

For us, it is State Farm. No problems. Even "course of construction" for a log home.

[pinecone pam]

Yep, it's a headache. However I use Country Companies. Gary Owens. They've been good to me and had great rates. I started out with a national company only to be dropped because of unusually high construction rates in Wa state. I too used State Farm before this process started, but even though they've insured me, my businesses, cars and everything else, they wouldn't insure anything that wasn't locked up. Sorry, we live in a logging community, and could just see a self-loader pulling up and helping themselves to my log racks! I'm too visible and those logs looked good. So, I got someone to insure me from the get-go. I was fenced and had a locking chain at the entrance. That was good enough for them. We re-evaluated my values at every major completion. But be ready, you will pay a lot more for a log house. You can't just knock out a few walls and patch it. So your rates will be higher. Also, buy property close to a fire station!

[Shark]

For us, it is State Farm. No problems. Even "course of construction" for a log home.


Same here. Have to pay a bit extra to cover the cost of the logs while they are sitting out, but not too bad.

[Jordan Laube]

For what it is worth - I sent my brother (state farm insurance agent in MN) an email asking about insuring a log home / cabin...He said that insurance for the building would run about 20% more than a similar sized standard structure...
J-

[GammaRae]

Hmm... really? 'Cause We're actually very pleased with the rate we got that included everything. Infact, I was a little surprised. I believe both Shark and I have yearly premiums in the $700-$750 ball park. That includes my structure complete and coarse of construction. Maybe that's high???

[lisaandmark]

I just switched to State Farm this summer. Before I had Farmer's. Never had a problem and had a claim this summer due to hail damage on my roof. I did have to fill out a questionaire and described my home as hand-crafted logs. Whatever you do, don't give them too much information ie: go into the whole story of how you are building it yourself with your own logs, etc etc. Then they start asking too many questions. Also, if you are in the process of building, really rethink a free-standing wood stove. That can really come back to haunt you in your premium. Put in a true fireplace. And yes, the further you are from a fire station, the more you will pay.

[kurtunger]

Thanks for the replies...

I am pursueing some new lines on insurance including State Farm as recommended and I will post back with the results....

[rreidnauer]

Also, if you are in the process of building, really rethink a free-standing wood stove. That can really come back to haunt you in your premium. Put in a true fireplace.

How much more can woodstoves add to a premium?

[Will]

Hey Shark, I took a look at your photo album, nice photos.. I have a couple of questions.. What is your email address? Thanks Will

[Shark]

Hey Shark, I took a look at your photo album, nice photos.. I have a couple of questions.. What is your email address? Thanks Will


jeff.wourms(nospam)@irdinc.com & take out the (nospam)

[Brian Landry]

Hi:

I wanted to ask if you could provide your agents name and number. We are building in Oregon and have State Farm insurance for Course of Construction and all other insurance; home and auto. We have to get an extension on our construction loan because we are running behind schedule. (The wet winter set us back) Our course of construction policy was for one year. State Farm does not want to renew the policy. We had no claims. I am not sure why they don't want to renew the policy. So I am shopping around for other insurance. I thought if I could give my agent your agent's name and number, maybe that would help.

[hemlock77]

I have been informed, by my Allstate agent that the time limit for my construction insurance is about to expire and they will not be renewing my policy. It seems from this forum that State Farm is more log home friendly. I will check?locally for an agent that has a clue. What?frustrates me about this whole situation is the fact I have been doing?business?with this agent since the early 90's when I?moved?back to the area, yet the agent is not even willing to work with me at all.?
Stu
??<a href="http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/hemlock77/">http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u64/hemlock77/</a>

[loghousenut]

Agents are as hungry as anyone out there and a good agent can really make a difference. Start walking in to every outfit in town and shaking hands. Good luck but you won't need it. It'll all be fine.

[rreidnauer]

How good an insurance company is, is never known until you need to make a claim. Good rates mean nothing if you get screwed over when it's time for them to pay you. Therefore, I'd rely more on past performance, and this site (http://www.badfaithinsurance.org/indexdetaillist.html) has done most of the data collecting for you.

[Shark]

We switched from State Farm to Progressive, much better rates. SF wasn't even interested in hearing the new quote to see if they could match & keep a customer...oh well?...

Rod makes a great point though, you don't know how good or bad the insurance co is until you need to file a claim.

[Vern Street]

We've been insured from the beginning (and years prior) by Farm Bureau. Maybe it helps that our agent lives in a log home, too!!!

[hawkeye]

I have wondered how injuries, etc. during construction would be covered. Is this in Course of Construction? This may go against the basic no red tape attitude for this site, but would it be better to set up a corporation to limit the liability due to a personal injury at my build site?

[chadfortman]

Fist i have allstate my agent said they cover me and building.
They said they only cover me if i call them before i lay the foundation so anyone hurt on my land would be cover by them. So before you lay any cement ore trees call who ever covers you.
I just learned this a few months ago from my agent.
ok seya

[chadfortman]

I have a time posting it saying the post is not there
Its saying post does not exist in red the top the post.
i post yesterday on granite counter tops and my views on it and it never showed up ore was delted.
Sorry for second post