Do you insure your firearms?

[andy t]

I called up the insurance company that handles homeowner's insurance on my house. When I asked a rep about insuring firearms, she wasn't sure and needed to check it out. Later on, she emailed me asking where would the firearms be kept?! I did not reply to the email yet.
I wonder if other members insure their firearms. And if so, can you recommend a good insurance company ?

Thanks,

Andrew.

 

[MichaelJ]

I never thought about it. They may be covered under the general possessions in your home unless you have alot or some are alot of $$. I don't see how "where they are kept" would matter if they know where the house is.

 

[andy t]

DC,

So far I don't have that much invested in firearms, however, I wanted to see what other people are doing.
My home owner's insurance policy specifically excludes jewelry, electronics and firearms though.

Andrew.

 

[FPrice]

And if so, can you recommend a good insurance company ?

I haven't done so yet myself but the NRA offers insurance. Cannot say if it is the best but if the NRA endorses it, they should be used to dealing with firearms owners and you shouldn't get any embarassing pauses when you ask about firearms insurance.

http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/index.asp

 

[Len-2A Training]

Usual homeowners policies limit all firearms and accessories to ~$2K.

Also in places like MA, many homeowners insurance companies seem antsy about insuring firearms . . . some folks have been canceled, rumors abound about other companies, etc.

If you have a loss of firearms and it is under your homeowners insurance, the company can legally cancel your homeowners insurance. I suspect that could mean that you become some sort of an "assigned risk" and pay much higher premiums elsewhere. Insurance companies SHARE info on customers, so if one dumps you they will most likely ALL know that you were dumped.

I chose to use NRA's Firearms Insurance for a while. Much cheaper than homeowner's rider plans anyway.

Then I discovered Collectibles Insurance Agency, Box 1200, Westminster, MD 21158, (888) 837-9537, [email protected], http://www.collectinsure.com They represent one of the major insurers and the rates were about 1/2 that of the NRA Insurance. They cover more types of claims (lost/stolen from car, while in transit via UPS/USPO/FedEx - no need to buy shipping insurance, etc. There are only two "gotchas":

• You must list each gun (no S/N req'd) along with a value for each.
• It only covers safe queens officially. They allow you to "occasionally" shoot them, but this is not really defined as to how many times/year is "occasional". Since most of mine haven't seen fresh air in years, it is a non-issue for me and the handful that do get shot once or twice/month in a worst case (if determined not to be "occasional") I can deal with the NRA Insurance (Life members get some level of free insurance) or live with the risk.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Usual homeowners policies limit all firearms and accessories to ~$2K.

If I recall correctly, the $2K limit is for theft, loss or mysterious disappearance and that it does not apply to other covered incidents such as fire.

 

[Bolt308]

If I recall correctly, the $2K limit is for theft, loss or mysterious disappearance and that it does not apply to other covered incidents such as fire.

I have mine on my renters insurance for 5k thru Commerce.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

I never thought about it. They may be covered under the general possessions in your home unless you have alot or some are alot of $$. I don't see how "where they are kept" would matter if they know where the house is.

It DOES matter where they are kept. My insurance company asked if they were kept in a safe. It only makes sense that a burglar would find firearms that were in easily accessible areas to be a valuable prize for resale on the black market. Either way, members of the NRA automatically get firearms coverage, albeit limited.

 

[C-pher]

I have mine through State Farm Renters Insurance. They give you $2500.00 and for some nominal fee they will up it to 5K. I can take a rider out for some short money if I have them all appraised...but that's a pain in the ass because I have to take them somewhere... Or have someone come out.

But I think for everything, including the extra for jewelry and firearms, I'm only paying like 120 a year or so...

I can get the rider for 25K I think for about another 100 bucks. But like I said, it has to be apprasied. And I can understand that...I just haven't done that yet..

And yes, they asked if I had a safe, and what ratings it held. I think that might be why the underwriters kept it so cheap.

 

[securityboy]

Mine are insured through www.historicfirearms.com (they are right in pembroke). My opinion they are the best insurance available for firearms, pretty much every thing is covered (except for blatant abuse). They let you shoot your guns and depending on the circumstanse may even cover "KABOOMS"...Rates are very reasonable...

 

[Patriot]

I took out the NRA insurance. It wasn't that expensive. You don't have to
list individual guns unless they have a certain value. I would rather not
have my gun insurance with my homeowners because that way I would have to
list everything and then the wife (and me) would know the contents of my toy
box. Not that it's very big or valuable (it isn't) , but I would be afraid that if I
see a 'buy' somewhere I might think too much about the toys I own and let
an opportunity pass me by.

TBP

 

[jacobtowne]

I use NRA Armscare insurance. The premiums are half what my homeowners would charge (Liberty Mutual).
For unscheduled firearms worth under $1500, NRA requires no listing of make, model, etc. Liberty wanted that as well as serial numbers, which information would be entered in their computer and be accessible to employees. No thanks.
JT

 

[rscalzo]

Insurance

State Farm Homwowners covers firearms to a max. of $5000.00. They will not increase that limit.

 

[Amicus]

I use NRA Armscare insurance. The premiums are half what my homeowners would charge (Liberty Mutual).
For unscheduled firearms worth under $1500, NRA requires no listing of make, model, etc. Liberty wanted that as well as serial numbers, which information would be entered in their computer and be accessible to employees. No thanks.
JT

Thus far I have used Armscare and have been satisfied, to the extent possible. They will insure optics and magazines so long as they are attached to the firearm in question.

But, I feel the true test of any insurance company is their behavior during a claim, and I have not yet done so, for which I give thanks.