Quote:
Originally Posted by TomDPerkins
All prior comments are apparently assuming a policy for contents with respect to fire hazard -- a very different thing from a vehicular collision liability.
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LOL none of the prior comments are saying, much less assuming that.
Good luck even finding such a policy, may as well be a unicorn.
> There is no increase to the odds of a vehicular accident because there is a wood stove in the vehicle
That is not relevant to anything being discussed!
In the event of a major claim, millions in liability, no matter the cause, who is wrong, nothing to do with any fire or the stove itself
the relevant fact is
** if the stove had been declared there would be no policy written**
which in turn means,
withholding that fact is **purposefully misrepresenting material information that changes their overall assessment of risk**
Giving the company the opportunity to deny the payout based on that intentional bad faith, even fraud by the customer,
in some jurisdictions, they can legally just act as if you never had a policy, maybe have to refund your premiums back to day one
but can in the end walk away from any payout on the disaster.
Now, maybe a judge will find, they DO have to pay out.
But the ball is in your court to pay for lawyers to bring the claim before that judge. Maybe you get lucky and the equivalent of an insurance ombudsman exists within the insurance commission
and rules in your favour, that depends on the state that has jurisdiction.
> And to have your point you need to prove they will not write a vehicular collision policy because there's a woodstove on board.
No need to "prove" anything, that is indeed a well known fact, they will not write any kind of policy at all. Just call your agent, or the underwriting department, tell them you have a woodstove and see what they say!
Even better, ask a litigation / insurance experienced lawyer their opinion, answered fast enough would likely be included in the free first consultation even over the phone.
And furthermore, no one is trying to say any of the above bad things actually did happen, or definitely will happen
only that they **could** happen
and anyone relying on luck that they definitely won't happen, is on shakier ground than most of us would be willing to accept.
Obviously you scofflaw can cross your fingers and roll the dice
but the more risk averse can tell you you are foolish and irresponsible.
But in the past few years, it seems insurance companies have started specifically asking about wood stoves. I cannot speak to Allstate, but we've used Progressive and Farm Bureau and National General. We have liability-only policies. All 3 asked if we had either a wood stove or a rooftop deck and said they couldn't write a policy...even liability...with either of those things. The deck, I understand. The stove, not so much...
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