I have had very positive experiences on recovering ham radio losses with
insurers in both NJ and VA. I have had a full replacement rider for
radio related losses on my home owners' insurance for around 20 years
now. While I don't have the additional current cost at my finger tips,
my vague recollection from NJ (14 years ago) was that it amounted to
about $60 annually and was substantially less than the ARRL's insurance
and provided better coverage. I have pasted below my (edited) post from
a similar discussion several years ago on the PVRC forum and which
describes my experiences. As long as everything was documented, I had
no problems.
73, Joe
K2XX
When living in NJ, I had NJ Manufacturers' insurance with a full
replacement rider, which was relatively cheap. (NJM also had very
high ratings from Consumer Reports.) At the time, I was using an old
EZWay 72' crankup tower that was bent about 10 degrees from the
vertical in a mini-tornado that had passed through the area. NJM
unhesitatingly honored the full replacement requirements of the policy
and, since EZWay was out of business, I was able to replace it with a
motorized LM-470, although I paid the difference between non-motorized
and motorized.
Here in VA, I have VA Farm Bureau Insurance with a full replacement
rider. I have had two severe incidents in 12 years. In one case, my
LM-470 with a four element quad atop was bent over at the middle from
another mini-tornado. VFB replaced the tower (minus the deductible)
and paid for the labor of dissembling and rebuilding the quad. In
another, the 20M driver of the quad took a direct lightning hit. A
large number of electronic devices in the house were fried including
two transceivers. All were either repaired or replaced. I have to
admit that after this last incident, the claims representative was
testy and combative in our telephone conversations and correspondence,
but after I provided a carefully prepared and detailed list of
repairs, etc. with receipts attached, they honored their commitment.
In the case of the transceivers above, I wrote a letter to each repair
service asking them to repair the unit only if they believed that
there would be minimal chance of failures in the future as a result of
the EMP. Although both transceivers were repaired, one required
service at least three more times during the next two years. The
manufacturer's service department then decided to declare it
irreparable. Even after two years had passed, and after I provided
copies of the manufacturer's declaration and my original
correspondence, VFB replaced the $4,000 transceiver with the then
current model.
Obviously, I have no complaints with either NJM or VFB. I should add
that I have all my insurance coverages through VFB and pay a
substantial total amount in premiums annually.
john@kk9a.com <mailto:john@kk9a.com>
Saturday, November 30, 2013 5:40 PM
The 10% structure coverage is usually on a standard homeowners policy,
you
can increase this limit if you wish. I have not seen a policy
specifically
state ham radio tower, but this should not be necessary. I find it
hard to
believe that your structure is not covered to some degree.
John KK9A
To:towertalk@contesting.com
Subject:Re: [TowerTalk] Insurance for Tower
From:"Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
Date:Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:28:12 -0500
List-post:<towertalk@contesting.com">mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
I suspect your insurance agent is misinformed ... *any* structure (and
a tower is a "structure") on a property is generally covered to 10% of
the policy limit as as "accessory structure". This is similar to a
free standing garage, barn or storage shed. Whether your insurance
company will write a *rider* to provide additional coverage for the
tower and antennas is a matter of company policy but if one has a house
valued at/insured for $150,000, 10% covers a good deal of damage to a
typical amateur tower.
Your results may vary depending on state and insurance company. Shop
around or consider the ARRL "all perils" policy for separate coverage
on the ham gear and antennas.
73,
... Joe, W4TV
On 11/26/2013 3:09 PM, Wayne Willenberg wrote:
Now that I have my tower nearly completed, I asked my homeowner's
insurance
agent if I could obtain coverage in case it is damaged. The simple answer
was "no".
Is my insurance carrier being unreasonable or is it generally true you
can't get insurance coverage for a tower that is not attached to a house?
Thanks for your help.
Wayne, KK6BT
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