Insurance question.

[galute]

Hi guys. My wife and I are in the planning stages of building our retirement home. We just completed my 30 x 50 shop to use for storage while building the house. We want to build the house 30 feet from the shop with a covered breeze way parking between the two. Here's my question. My bud was thinking that with the two buildings that close and attatched it might cause the insurance to be really high or hard to get. Anyone ever heard of this? Thanks for any help.

Here's a pic of my shop if anyone is interested. It's just a shell at this point.

 

[thrifty bill]

Not sure about insurance, but if you have the room, I would separate them further, for fire safety.

 

[holdover]

++ on seperation. Mine is 100' from the house, and I would not want it any closer. At any given time there are as many as 9 cars in it, if one caught on fire there is a big fire load out there, and welding tanks also...

 

[paullie]

call the insurance company and ask them

 

[Mike14k]

agree w/Paullie...

might as well make sure, call your agent or company and ask what you can do to reduce the libility cost about the distance/attachment and explain you've not started construction, so you're looking for a budget price and suggestions to reduce it ...

might ask them to give you something in writing for todays date so you have a budget. That way you kinda know what to expect.

 

[NJHandyGuy]

as i understand per jersey rules attached is attached

my friedn mike only has lattice going from his back door on one sie to the door of the garage he had to take it down per some idiotic code basically attached was attached

 

[kaffine]

I have to have mine attached for insurance. If the garage/shop is not attached to the house the garage and contents are only covered to a certain percentage of my homeowners policy I think it is 10% but don't remeber off hand. If it is attached then it is considered part of the house and does not have the 10% limit.

 

[Gary S]

Check your local building codes and your insurance company for their rules. What we say here doesn't matter for your situation.

My garage is 12 ft from my house. My city issued the building permit this way, and the same city handles fire protection. They are happy with it. My insurance company has no problem with it this way.

But, that doesn't mean it will work for you. ASK THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW!

Remember, the advice you get off the internet is worth just what you paid for it.

 

[weadjust]

I have been an adjuster for 20 years and most policies state that other structures are covered under the dwelling coverage if attached to the dwelling except by a fence, utility line, or similar connection.

Other structures not attached is limited to 10% of dwelling limits or amount of other structure coverage you purchased ie stated amount of other structures coverage on the policy declarations page.

However it is best to ask your agent and read your policy. Could vary under some insurance co. and states.

 

[galute]

Good advice. Thanks everyone. I really want it attatched by a roof if possible. I'll give my insurance agent a call.

 

[6768rogues]

I have been an adjuster for 20 years and most policies state that other structures are covered under the dwelling coverage if attached to the dwelling except by a fence, utility line, or similar connection.

Other structures not attached is limited to 10% of dwelling limits or amount of other structure coverage you purchased ie stated amount of other structures coverage on the policy declarations page.

However it is best to ask your agent and read your policy. Could vary under some insurance co. and states.

You are correct about other structures and I pay for additional coverage above the 10%. I couldn't replace the floor and windows for 10%.

 

[darkk]

I attached mine to the house because insurance covers it with the basic house coverage. Otherwise the extra insurance to cover garage and contents was very expensive. Now at least all I'll have to argue about if it burns is the depreciation value of the contents.