[TowerTalk] Insurance for Tower

[Joe Giacobello, K2XX]

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 at kk9a.com <mailto:john at 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 at contesting.com
> Subject:Re: [TowerTalk] Insurance for Tower
> From:"Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists at subich.com>
> Date:Tue, 26 Nov 2013 15:28:12 -0500
> List-post:<towertalk at contesting.com">mailto:towertalk at 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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