[Boatanchors] Re Insurance Coverage On Vintage Gear

[John L.]

"John L." wrote:

> Heres hoping you dont get hit a second time - and some people do - which sends  up a
> claims frequency  red flag. I work for an insurance company and we dont like paying
> claims for the same thing over again. What we do like with policyholders are those
> who prevent losses ahead of time - so with your radios and  computers - put good
> quality surge protectors on your house panel (parallel protection, AND use surge
> protected power bars (the ones who guaranty lots of coverage of your equipment if it
> fails to protect - IE APC, Panamax). And ground your tower properly and have
> disconnects for your leads etc. If you do get hit then you can show that you have
> saved the Ins. Co. from a larger claim - they will likelly do nice things like thank
> you and waive your deductable (ask if they dont). If you dont have or do any of that
> stuff (if they ask you to after an inspection or a claim) , a knowledgeable
> insurance company might just decide to not renew your policy. AND ask your Insurance
> company agent - or broker - about coverages for your radio collection - some
> policies will cover as contents, others wont - phoning the insurance company is the
> hard way of doing it - besides the rules might be different in various states or
> provinces. Let your broker do it for you - they often represent more than one
> company - and ask him to confirm it in writing - that way if it turns out he is
> wrong (mistaken) - you may still be able to collect - as he created an "estoppel"
> (said you were covered even though the policy said no). AND DO mention amateur radio
> or a collecton etc - if that is your purpose of inquiry - you may find rules
> different - and be glad of knowing what they were - for example one insurance
> company may want you to list the equipment on a separate floater - yes you will pay
> more premium - and another may consider as contents and not, and maybe even the type
> of policy you buy is important - for example - one policy offers full replacement
> cost, and another type only actual cash value.
>
> "Duane Fischer, W8DBF" wrote:
>
> >
> > Several of you who know I had a lightning hit here in April 2001 wrote off list
> > to ask if I was covered under my home owners policy with no additional riders.
> > Yes, 100%. All equipment was replaced, no hastles, no problems.
> >
> > My policy rates did not increase and I was not cancelled because of the
> > substantial claim.
> >
> > I would suggest that each of you contact your home owners insurance company, NOT
> > the brokerage company or agent, and speak with a supervisory person. Point blank
> > ask them if under the provisions of your current policy your home, and its
> > contents, are covered in the event that lightning strikes your TV tower or some
> > other structure on your property and enters your home causing damage to either
> > the structure or the contents thereof. Do not mention Amateur radio at the
> > outset. Once the company rep has answered the question, and presuming it is a
> > yes answer, then ask if the coverage is still in force if it is a Ham radio
> > tower that is struck by lightning and Ham radio gear that is damaged. Pin them
> > down, as some will not know the answer, for certain. Request they investigate
> > this matter and call you back.
> >
> > I did this twice, just to be sure I got the correct answer. You all know what
> > the word 'assume' breaks down to, right? If not, contact me off list and I will
> > explain it. (grin) Presume nothing with an insurance company! It is YOUR
> > responsibility to be sure you are adequate covered, not theirs. You are the
> > loser if you are not covered or adequately covered. Double check, be safe, just
> > in case the unthinkable does happen.
> >
> > I did precisely this. Yes, I actually took my own advice! A year later the
> > unthinkable did happen. My ex-wife begged me to take her back. OOPS! Wrong
> > story, sorry. (patented Fischer smirk) At 5:01 AM EDT on April 26, 2001 a bolt
> > from the thunderous etherial great beyond hit a tree in my neighbor's yard,
> > split it asunder like a toothpick making machine and then jumped to my GAP Titan
> > mounted seventy-five feet south of my house. It came into the house through my
> > ground system.
> >
> > Spare me the lectures, please. I had disconnected all the antennas, all the
> > equipment was unplugged and poly phasers were operative. But I did not
> > disconnect the equipment from the ground system. Kaboom!
> >
> > This last adventure was courtesy of the power company who had a massive surge in
> > October 2002. Such fun.
> >
> > Duane W8DBF
> >
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