[TowerTalk] Tower Insurance

Thu Apr 29 21:00:10 EDT 2004

I've had ARRL insurance since 1988, covering radios and usually a couple of
PCs. The same company started offering tower/antenna coverage a few years
ago, but I don't have it since I don't have any towers (just use trees; I
guess I could insure a few antennas though).

I've made a few claims and never had any problems. In all cases it was
lightning damage. They will replace the equipment or pay the repair. You
have to go ahead and get it fixed and send them the bill. Or replace
unrepairable equipment (and get someone qualified, and not yourself, to
provide a statement what the problem is/that it's unrepairable), and present
the bill for the replacement items along with the statements about the
unrepairable equipment.

One advantage of this insurance is that you can insure items for what you
paid new or what would be the current 'replacement cost'. It can happen, for
example, that you have a PC worth say $2500 new, keep it a few years, and it
gets totalled by lightning. Get someone at a  local repair shop to examine
it, and give you a written statement that it's totalled, buy a new current
PC for $2500, and the insurance company will pay you $2500 (minus deductable
of $50 or so). I think other insurance may only pay the current market value
(low) of older stuff.

73 George W5VU

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tower (K8RI)" <tower at rogerhalstead.com>
To: "AA6DX" <aa6dx at pacbell.net>; <TOWERTALK at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2004 8:04 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Tower Insurance

>
>
>
> >OK .. now .. next subject.  ARRL insurance.  Has anybody had RECENT
> experience with the >ARRL policies?  In the way past, a lot hams were less
> than thrilled with their attempting to get
>
> "As I recall", originally they didn't cover towers and antennas, but do
now.
> I use them but have had no claims.
>
> >satisfaction from the ARRL insurance companies...   BUT have heard
nothing
> negative lately!  >The ham who brought up the fact that if you soak your
> home insurance company for >tower/antenna/rig losses, it could cost you
the
> far more important coverage of your house --
>
> It depends on your insurrance company, but you have to seperate these out
> into categories.
> Our current insurrance (now Auto owners) treats the tower like another out
> structure or out building such as my shop or an "unattached" garage. So
for
> no additional cost it's 10% of the house. (One reason for not attaching
the
> tower to the house in this case)  Considering the value of the system, we
> had a rider added so it's a small additional cost.  Don't forget when it
> comes to tower and antennas the labor involved/required to put back up, or
> dismantle and clean up one that has been blown over, or vandalized.
>
> Rig losses?  Again I'd guess it depends, but they are just like any other
> "House contents" and ours covers "replacement value". (NOTE I understand
> some companies will not cover electronic appliances) If I have a rig
blasted
> by lightening they replace it minus the deductable.  It has no effect on
> other things in the home later on.
>
> >really brought something to mind!  I had never thought of that!  BUT ..
so
> very true!  I live in >an area (don't we all!) quite susceptible to crime
..
> hmmmmmmm .. if I lost $10K worth of >electronics and tools, my insurance
> company would drop me in a New York minute!  And..
>
> Here it's rare and I seriously doubt you'd be dropped.
>
> >they are hard to find here in earthquake territory!  What is the latest
on
> the ARRL insurance?  >My mobile is covered, according to my agent
(Farmers)
> just fine... w/rider.
>
> I didn't need a rider for the mobile rig which is an 50 watt FM duobander
> (TM-D700), but were I to install an HF rig that was worth several thousand
> then I'd need a rider.
>
> I carry two Nikons in the car with a set of lenses.  They are covered by
my
> home owners insurance "as long as I'm not shooting an assignment". If I'm
> out just looking for some good shots they are covered.  My HTs are covered
> as well.
>
> >Anybody got the scoop?
> Mark   AA6DX   Far Northern California
>
> There is probably a rather wide range of differences between companies and
> even with the same company and different geographical areas.
>
> Bout the only thing you can do is visit the different agencies and ask.
>
> Good Luck,
>
> Roger Halstead (K8RI, EN73 & ARRL Life Member)
> N833R, World's Oldest Debonair (S# CD-2)
> www.rogerhalstead.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
> Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with
any
> questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> See: http://www.mscomputer.com  for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
Weather Stations", and lot's more.  Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any
questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
> _______________________________________________
> TowerTalk mailing list
> TowerTalk at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
>