[TowerTalk] Insurance for Tower

[Alan NV8A]

A few years ago somebody posted on this reflector that coverage for a 
tower depended on the tower being "attached to" the house: the 
"attachment" could be somewhat nominal but had to be more than the 
electrical wiring. My insurance agent concurred with that opinion, but 
in fact I have never implemented such an "attachment." I had thought of 
installing a couple of braces from the raising fixture on my HDX-555 to 
the adjacent chimney brickwork, but US Tower recommended against it.

More important, however, than damage to the tower and antennas, is 
damage to the house itself caused by the collapse of a tower, and I have 
no idea how the insurance companies would treat that situation.

Note: I do always retract the tower when significant winds are forecast.

73

Alan NV8A


On 11/26/13 03:28 pm, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> 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?