Insuring Wood Stove

[o1marc]

With this issue popping up now I'd like to avoid this issue as I have WB stove for mine. Has anyone converted a WB to a propane log fireplace?

search shows it's not a good idea as the stove is a sealed unit. Fireplace yes, wood burner stove, no.

[o1marc]

Well I posed the wood burning stove in the RV. He didn't know, but said it's a definite no-no in house. He says as you fill out the house policy form, about 1/3 of the way through it asks about WB stove. If you answer yes. It stops the application process right there and won't let you move forward. He's never been asked about one in an RV, so he is checking underwriters now. I'm sure if it's a no -no in a house, it will certainly be a no-no in the RV. Looking for a secondary source of heat now.

[sutphinins]

I've been told no wood stoves, nothing but solar panels on the roof and no structural modifications to the height of the bus.


I deal with a lot of single and double wide homes and most companies are against wood stoves in them, unless they're factory installed or in a basement. If they're in an addition that's usually a no as well.


Mostly I've been told it is due to the amount of heat the stoves produce is more than the material in the house is usually rated for. That and generally if there is a fire in a house like that fire companies don't go inside, they fight it from the outside.

[o1marc]

Well my agent just got back with me after speaking to underwriting. He said they hadn't had that question posed before and that if it was installed properly to code with pictures documenting it they would cover it. He did mention in the event of a claim it could be a battle, not denied, but a battle.
Must have proper heat shielding, properly mounted to the floor, proper vent stack and roof exit. "So you're saying there's a chance."

[PNW_Steve]

Definitely varies by state and carrier.

I can put a wood stove in my house and State Farm will insure it. If I put one in my garage or RV they won't insure it.

Funny, I was just asking my agent about a propane fireplace. She is checking on it for me.

[BillieJo1]

We are also looking for a secondary heat source for our bus, but our agent flat refused to insure us if we had a wood stove. She said it was the same for a home or garage. She did say that a propane appliance was allowed, and that a "pellet stove" was also allowed. That was an interesting idea, but pellet stoves are quite large and very heavy. Not to mention that they cost a fortune. So we are still looking.
Any other suggestions would really be appreciated.