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Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 9:52 am
by mupepe
vjallen75 wrote:
mupepe wrote:So my home insurance is state farm. It doesn't cover firearms in my normal policy. I'd have to take our a separate policy with them, but to even get a quote I have to get my collection appraised.

So three questions:

1) for those with their firearms insured, who do you have your policy with?

2) did they make you get them appraised?

3) any recommendations on appraisals?

Thanks in advance
I would call your agent as far as the limits, firearms ARE covered under your normal homeowners policy (typically). I would suggest taking out a separate policy for your firearms. Why? They are very inexpensive and it for a variety of things.

Please note, I am licensed in Texas to talk about insurance and I do work for a State Farm Agent. PM me if you have questions I am happy to help
Thanks for the reply. My wife works for State Farm and she asked our agent (her boss) and he told us it was not covered by our policy. He also said we could not get a quote for additional coverage without an appraisal. I'm apprehensive to spend money to get them appraised only to be told the policy is expensive.

Is her boss full of it regarding the quote? It doesn't make sense to me. I know the ballpark of the value and so I don't understand why I couldn't just say "Give me a quote for $10,000". If it ends up more or less after appraisal, that's fine but I'd like something to base it on.

Either way, I guess I have another question. Is an appraisal a good idea if I go with the NRA or someone else anyways? If time comes to file a claim I assume it might be worth it to have an appraisal to point to if they decide to lowball me on a claim.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 10:01 am
by Dadtodabone
Informative article from my insurer.
https://news.leavitt.com/personal/guns- ... ers-guide/

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 10:11 am
by Pawpaw
mupepe wrote:Thanks for the reply. My wife works for State Farm and she asked our agent (her boss) and he told us it was not covered by our policy. He also said we could not get a quote for additional coverage without an appraisal. I'm apprehensive to spend money to get them appraised only to be told the policy is expensive.

Is her boss full of it regarding the quote? It doesn't make sense to me. I know the ballpark of the value and so I don't understand why I couldn't just say "Give me a quote for $10,000". If it ends up more or less after appraisal, that's fine but I'd like something to base it on.

Either way, I guess I have another question. Is an appraisal a good idea if I go with the NRA or someone else anyways? If time comes to file a claim I assume it might be worth it to have an appraisal to point to if they decide to lowball me on a claim.
Is it possible your wife asked if your "gun collection" was covered?

That phrase typically brings to mind a collection of valuable antique firearms which would indeed require an appraisal, as opposed to receipts or other evidence of purchase price/value of modern firearms.

Just a thought :tiphat:

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 10:13 am
by eureka40
Germania covers your firearms under the section, contents of your house. No extra policy or appraisal.
Call your local Germania agent for more details.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 11:39 am
by vjallen75
mupepe wrote:Thanks for the reply. My wife works for State Farm and she asked our agent (her boss) and he told us it was not covered by our policy. He also said we could not get a quote for additional coverage without an appraisal. I'm apprehensive to spend money to get them appraised only to be told the policy is expensive.

Is her boss full of it regarding the quote? It doesn't make sense to me. I know the ballpark of the value and so I don't understand why I couldn't just say "Give me a quote for $10,000". If it ends up more or less after appraisal, that's fine but I'd like something to base it on.

Either way, I guess I have another question. Is an appraisal a good idea if I go with the NRA or someone else anyways? If time comes to file a claim I assume it might be worth it to have an appraisal to point to if they decide to lowball me on a claim.
I could only tell by looking at your declarations page on your homeowners insurance but typically it is apart of your policy that is included.

You should be able to get a quote without getting an appraisal. If you are serious about getting a quote, sit down and look up how many firearms you do have and how much they cost new and I would go from there. I wouldn't say the agent is completely full of it, but he isn't empty if you ask me. With State Farm you would need to get an appraisal unless you bought the firearm within two years of getting or adding an item to a personal articles policy.

I would recommend having a list of the firearms you own or anything of value to yourself incase of filing a loss. The only reason I recommend doing that is proof that you purchased or owned the item in the first place. I don't know about the NRAs firearm insurance, regarding what is and what isn't covered. I do not know where you are located but there is someone near the HEB area that does appraisals that our agency uses to do appraisals. If you do decide to get an appraisal always find out what you will need in order to satisfy your insurance provider so you don't have to pay more to get another one.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 11:44 am
by vjallen75
Pawpaw wrote:Is it possible your wife asked if your "gun collection" was covered?

That phrase typically brings to mind a collection of valuable antique firearms which would indeed require an appraisal, as opposed to receipts or other evidence of purchase price/value of modern firearms.

Just a thought :tiphat:
It always depends on the way you ask the question. :tiphat:

Also, I replied to mupepe post if you would like to read my response

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 11:56 am
by WTR
If you have USAA home owners you should really look into a firearm rider if your collection is worth more than $10,000. Your home owners covers the first $10,000, but with your deductible enforced. The rider covers the amount you choose, has no deductible,covers replacement cost, covers even if you break a fireing pin , covers the weapon anywhere it is located.....at the range for example(it is world wide),and is very reasonable priced.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2016 3:16 pm
by mupepe
Dadtodabone wrote:Informative article from my insurer.
https://news.leavitt.com/personal/guns- ... ers-guide/
Thanks. Informative indeed!

My wife asked again today and was definitely clear that it wasn't for a "collection". He said we need receipts of the purchase or appraisals and would not give a quote without that. I'm thinking for whatever reason he doesn't want to deal with it.

She's asking some people she knows from another office and I'll look into other avenues. I'll also look at my policy closely.
eureka40 wrote:Germania covers your firearms under the section, contents of your house. No extra policy or appraisal.
Call your local Germania agent for more details.
Thank you.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:27 pm
by flechero
When I went through that with state farm, a "personal articles policy" was attached to the homeowner's. Anyway, All I had to do was supply make model and serial number... receipts if I had them. Anything still available was just looked up for current price. I had no antiques to insure. It was dirt cheap insurance and was actually quite good coverage. It's the only thing I miss about state farm. :lol:

Seriously, who appraises a currently available firearm? Sounds like your agent just hasn't ever looked into this one.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 5:24 pm
by WTR
USAA asked for serial numbers, approx.value ( I saw a blue book value at Barnes and Noble I'll buy) and suggested but did not require a picture of the fire arms. I can get $20,000 additional coverage over the $10,000 my home owners has for $290.00 per year.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 5:34 pm
by mojo84
WTR wrote:USAA asked for serial numbers, approx.value ( I saw a blue book value at Barnes and Noble I'll buy) and suggested but did not require a picture of the fire arms. I can get $20,000 additional coverage over the $10,000 my home owners has for $290.00 per year.
Did you confirm they would fix your firing pin if it breaks? If not, I would.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 5:40 pm
by WTR
mupepe wrote:So my home insurance is state farm. It doesn't cover firearms in my normal policy. I'd have to take our a separate policy with them, but to even get a quote I have to get my collection appraised.

So three questions:

1) for those with their firearms insured, who do you have your policy with?

2) did they make you get them appraised?

3) any recommendations on appraisals?

Thanks in advance

Don't forget your scopes.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:41 pm
by mupepe
WTR wrote:
mupepe wrote:So my home insurance is state farm. It doesn't cover firearms in my normal policy. I'd have to take our a separate policy with them, but to even get a quote I have to get my collection appraised.

So three questions:

1) for those with their firearms insured, who do you have your policy with?

2) did they make you get them appraised?

3) any recommendations on appraisals?

Thanks in advance

Don't forget your scopes.
Thanks. Another reason I liked what I read on the NRA website.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 7:57 pm
by WTR
mojo84 wrote:
WTR wrote:USAA asked for serial numbers, approx.value ( I saw a blue book value at Barnes and Noble I'll buy) and suggested but did not require a picture of the fire arms. I can get $20,000 additional coverage over the $10,000 my home owners has for $290.00 per year.
Did you confirm they would fix your firing pin if it breaks? If not, I would.

I have not seen a written policy. The man I spoke to said it is a "world wide" policy and does not matter where the firearm or firearms are located. He said he has 17 firearms in his collection, and he does have this coverage. He stated I don't need an actual appraisal( my value is fine) and none of the firearms could be considered antiques. The policy does cover replacement cost.

Re: Firearm insurance and appraisal?

Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 8:02 pm
by mojo84
WTR wrote:
mojo84 wrote:
WTR wrote:USAA asked for serial numbers, approx.value ( I saw a blue book value at Barnes and Noble I'll buy) and suggested but did not require a picture of the fire arms. I can get $20,000 additional coverage over the $10,000 my home owners has for $290.00 per year.
Did you confirm they would fix your firing pin if it breaks? If not, I would.

I have not seen a written policy. The man I spoke to said it is a "world wide" policy and does not matter where the firearm or firearms are located. He said he has 17 firearms in his collection, and he does have this coverage. He stated I don't need an actual appraisal( my value is fine) and none of the firearms could be considered antiques. The policy does cover replacement cost.
None of that means they will fix your firing pin if you break it. An earlier post indicates you believe they will fix your firing pin if you break it.