Shopsmith Forums

I am changing ins companies but I am having problems with getting the shop covered. What/who do you guys use?

Thanks!

rjent wrote:I am changing ins companies but I am having problems with getting the shop covered. What/who do you guys use?

Thanks!

I've never had a shop in an out building so I can't help. But I am wondering:

1. Does the building otherwise pass local codes for what it is (a shop)?

2. What sort of coverage are you having difficulty getting. Property or Liability?

Dusty, my ins co is generally a residential provider. The "shop" is a building I built in 1990 for my business(s) and abandoned business activity in 2012 when I retired. It is not a residence, and it really is not just a shed or storage building. I guess the ins company is having a hard time classifying the building (I loath insurance companies LOL).

So, with the diverse membership with our group here, I was hoping someone could suggest a company that "specializes" in odd structures like mine. It is the proverbial brick sh_t house as it is a very nice (overkill for a wood shop) building designed and built for retail commerce, but now houses my woodshop, an HO train layout, and a music studio.

See if they are able to cover it as "other structures" on your homeowners policy. This is generally for sheds and other out buildings. Just make sure you are getting enough coverage/replacement dollars for it on the policy and with that in mind check your personal property coverage to include your tools and other belongs in the shop building and your home. Remember the replacement cost of those HO Locomotives can add up fast, as does other personal belongings.

I am an Insurance agent in Illinois for the last 39 years specializing in personal lines insurance. First off let me tell you that ALL personal home policies have an exclusion for business liability. I assume we are talking about coverage for our hobbies and not a business. Chapmanruss is correct that if your shop is NOT attached to your house it is an "Other Structure" if it is on your premises. Your home policy will typically have a separate limit of coverage for this structure. Again make sure that the coverage provided by the policy is enough and if not you can increase that portion of your policy. Most home policies do not have limitations for Tools that are not "Business Tools" but I would strongly suggest that you check with your individual insurance company. Again increasing your total "Contents / Personal Property" coverage limit to make sure there is enough coverage for ALL your contents, not just your tools. I offer this information for general use because each state and insurance companies have different rules and policy coverages.

I have Allstate. I have been with them all my life. My separate shop is covered under my home owners policy so everything is covered. As far as liability, I have a separate umbrella policy for $1,000,000 that kicks in when the main policy runs out. It only costs $240 a year. I think I need to check on my contents courage. Might need to increase that.

Is it not an 'appurtenant' structure?

"Appurtenant Structure" would be the same as an "Other Structure" that I referenced above. Different companies having different language for their policies.

If Cheryl can insure her she shed looks like you could insure your man shed ? jmo

Hobbyman2 wrote:If Cheryl can insure her she shed looks like you could insure your man shed ? jmo

Maybe should call it a "he shed".