Homeowners insurance

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Abacus22, Aug 24, 2015.


  1. Abacus22

    Abacus22 Neophyte Monkey

    Hi All,

    I am living off-grid in the city and own my home free and clear. I am having a hard time finding homeowner's insurance. Any Ideas?

    Abacus22
     
  2. hitchcock4

    hitchcock4 Monkey++

    Is the rational of the insurance company that since you don't pay electric bills, you won't be able to pay any bills? Tell us more about why they will not insure.

    Also, what state do you live in? Florida has supposedly made off-grid living illegal.
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Insurance of any kind is readily available, it's a matter of paying the premiums. Additionally, it escapes me how you can be entirely off grid in a city, there's usually water, sewer and potentially other services that are billed separately from electric. Keep shopping for insurance, it's out there. (And yes, it would be enlightening to know what excuse there is for denial. There are some real reasons why they might not want to insure.)
     
  4. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    The insurance company is most likely worried about fire liability, I do not see how you can be completely off the grid and still meet city ordinances, if that is the case you will never be insurable.
     
  5. Abacus22

    Abacus22 Neophyte Monkey

    I live in PA. I bought my property from the City after it had been vacant for about 6 years. It's still pretty rough. I do pay electric right now - solar soon - should have clarified. I don't have water service - bring in my own - I pay sewer even though I have a composting toilet - $3.93 a month. I'm going to get a wood-burner installed soon. The excuse I've been getting from the insurance folks is that I don't have a furnace/central heat.

    I am up to code on electric and composting toilet.
     
  6. NotSoSneaky

    NotSoSneaky former supporter

    Does the furnace/central heat need to be functioning ? Call a few heating companies and ask for a non-working furnace or boiler. You could visit a scrapyard or city landfill as well.
     
  7. vonslob

    vonslob Monkey++

    The insurance company will want a working furnace, they are going to assume that you will be heating your home and without a working furnace they will assume you are heating it using what they would consider unsafe methods. I am not crapping on your living conditions, I just know what they will want and the assumptions they will make. If I was the underwriter I would not approve your policy either.
     
    NotSoSneaky likes this.
  8. Abacus22

    Abacus22 Neophyte Monkey

    I actually have two non-functioning furnaces.
    So, they would consider a wood burner unsafe even if it's UL listed and installed by a professional? So, is there another solution besides spending XXX dollars to install something I'm not planning on using?
     
  9. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Even if you don't plan in using it, a backup plan is essential.
    From the insurance viewpoint, they have to worry about fire, frozen pipes, ect, so it will have to meet their minimum standard to get them to go into contract with you.
    On the other hand, it is up to you, how often you turn it on and use it.
     
  10. fedorthedog

    fedorthedog Monkey+++

    I live in a Hard to insure location limited fire service Grange Ins was the only one that would cover my house.
     
  11. Abacus22

    Abacus22 Neophyte Monkey

    Thanks Fedor, I'll give them a call.

    I had rehab insurance through Foremost until a couple of weeks ago, but they get cranky if you live there. I've rehabbed three houses and gave myself the challenge of finishing this one without taking out a loan. Our county just had a reassessment done and because the property was vacant for so many years it was reassessed to about 10% of what it previously was, making it nearly impossible to get a loan. I guess I shouldn't complain as my property taxes are about $160 a year. I've gone back and forth about whether I should buy another place just to have somewhere to stay until I get insurable. I guess I need to consider that more seriously.
     
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