Shop Insurance

[bfarroo]

I was wondering what you guys are doing for insurance on your buildings that are not on the same property as your house. I called my insurance company today and they will insure the building but will not cover any of the contents of the building or anything on the property because there is no "Dwelling" on the property. I'm going to call around to other insurance agencies and see what they say. What's funny is I asked if they would insure a cabin and it's contents 100 miles north that I only visit once a year and they had no problem with that but my shop that will be 3 miles from my house and I will probably be at a few times a week they will not insure anything but the building.

 

[Cobra6]

time to get a new insurance carrier

 

[jimp]

Check with your home owners. I had over $100,000 loss in a remote shop fire and it was covered by my home owners insurance as long as I did not live on the property.

 

[bfarroo]

My homeowners is through this company. I've had good luck with them on everything else, no questions on claims and always prompt service. That's why I was disappointed with their response.

 

[bfarroo]

Must be a Wisconsin thing. I called a few different insurance agencies today and they all had the same response. What I've come down to is that I will not be able to insure the contents of the shop without getting some huge cost policy. What I'm finding out is there needs to be a dwelling on the property and talking with my insurance carrier if I get my office area and bathroom finished I may be able to insure it as a second residence like a cabin or cottage. We'll see when we get to that point.

 

[Benw455]

Get a new agent and make him a friend.

 

[geotek]

Actually not that uncommon. I have the same issue. The insurance will cover the barn but none of the contents, unless you get a specific (high cost) policy and then have to document the contents.

 

[rsanter]

I had insurance on my shop I used to have that was about 45 min away from be because the land lord required it
when I originally went to get insurance it was almost impossable to get insurance on a 'hobby shop' because they really dont have a definition for that in the insurance world.
one insurance company told me directly that "well we dont know what you are doing in there, you could be making drugs or something"
the solution was to start a buisness. you buisness will be to buy and sell use tools,equipment, and car parts. all sales are internet and swap meet based.
I was getting estimates of $3000 a year before, then with a buinsess it was $500 a year

bob

 

[bfarroo]

I thought about that also and it may be an option