Insurance for your Ice House

[huntingislife]

Does anybody have insurance for their ice house? If so, how much does it run you?

[Cliff Wagenbach]

A few years ago a 90 mph straight line wind destroyed my permanant fishhouse ,(plus a few others), when it was out on the ice. My homeowners insurance covered it and all lost or destroyed contents compleately!

Cliff

[LaZyDayZ]

It was peanuts too add it to my policy..

The cover everything except for pulling it out of the lake if it goes down. (Even if it goes down the pay for damages, just nothing to bring it up) Same is on my vehicles.

[huntingislife]

So does it go with auto or home insurance?

[LaZyDayZ]

Mine is on my auto policy.

[huntingislife]

It must be considered an RV then, I take it.

[LaZyDayZ]

When I first put the policy on it it was not ice season so I didnt really go into detail with them what it was, only gave size of trailor and replacement cost.

Earlier this fall I called my agent and got into specifics on coverages and explained what it was. They didnt seem to care. It is listed on my policy as an 8x19 trailor with a relacement $ value next to description.

[Kylersk]

I was told if it was in my yard and didnt have wheels on it, it would be covered under my home owners. Once it had wheels, it had to be insured seperatly. So, I pay ~$180 a year for insurance on it.

[fishinalot]

You really need to find out from your insurance company. My homeowners insurnace guy said it was covered. I asked him to show me proof that it was covered. When he got back to me, he found out because it had wheels it was not. So I did insure it for around $200. You really need to find out before it cost you $$$.

[love to hunt]

You hit the nail on the head fishinalot.

I had the exact same thing said to me.

Mine is insured like a trailer for physical damage, and the liability is covered by the tow vehicle insurance. It costs me about $190.00 per year. Subsequently I had to license it as a trailer with a life time trainer license which was an additional $150.00 or so.

[Biggerfish]

I AM MORE CONFUSED THAN EVER NOW?

I just contacted my agent again and below is hais response? Is he wrong or are all you? I know I will need to pay my deductable?

"Your ice house is covered as personal property on your homeowners coverage. You have $XXX,XXX of PP coverage, which would include the ice house and all the other personal property (furniture, electronics, clothes, bikes, etc.) that you own. If you feel that you have more PP than this, than we can increase this limit."

[insurance guy]

I am a fellow icefisherman and insurance agent with the "Good Hands People" in NY and I will tell you if your fish house has wheels it's DEFINITELY not covered by your homeowner's policy but the liability would be covered while towing it by the tow vehicle. Meaning if it came off while in tow or you backed it into someone or something the liability is covered but not the physical damage itself to the fishhouse. If you just have a regular portable shanty it would be covered for fire or theft under the contents portion of your homeowners policy but that's about it. Contents coverage is only good for certain "perils" like fire, theft, windstorm, some types of water damage but not defects or breakage and it would always be subject to your deductible which is usually $1000, $500 or $250. Here in NY there are no special riders or policies to cover permanent shacks and it's unlikely you would get any coverage from your homeowners policy for that because it's a seperate structure away from your residence. While it's at your house in the summer you might have some coverage for fire or theft but it's up to the company because it's not really permanent like a garden shed. Hope this helps and make darn sure you get a seperate recreational vehicle policy for your 4 wheeler or snowmobile as that is not covered by your homeowners under ANY cirumstances for theft, collision or liability. The same with larger boats. Another good idea if you have kids and a wife is get some life insurance too, especially you guys that like to go out at early ice Any more insurance questions just ask!! Have fun this winter and be safe!

insurance guy aka slipbob!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thanks for the clarification Insurance guy... and welcome to IceLeaders/FishingMinnesota!

[ozzie]

I also work in the insurance industry and what insurance guy stated is right on the money.......Some insurance agents do not insure many fishhouses so they aren't well rehearsed on how to cover them......but as stated if it has wheels and this goes for all receational equipment (unless it is ONLY used for the up keep of your property) need seperate policies. Have your agent contact a underwriter if you feel they are incorrect, and to make sure they contact that underwriter have them call while you are in their office. Otherwise you might have that agent that thinks they know it all, but there is always something to learn in this industry.

[huntingislife]

So you can insure it as an RV or as a trailer, but if you insure it as a trailer you need a trailer license? Is there a license you need for an RV?

[ozzie]

All the RVs I have ever seen have licenses on them!!!! I have never heard of a fish house being insured as an RV. I guess I would have to look into that one. Since it does not have a motor I don't see how you would insure it as a RV. plus i would imagine with most companies it costs more to have rv insurance rather than insure it as a trailor....

[huntingislife]

I guess by RV I just meant a camper

[love to hunt]

My wife (insurance lady too) says that to be insured with her company as a camper it needs to qualify as a camper. Meaning, according to their rules, it has to have perminant sleeping facility, built in cooking facility, sink, bathroom, and water tanks.

Just insure it as a trailer and check to see if your insurance requires a trailer license or if the fish house license is good enough.

[insurance guy]

Quote:

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Thanks for the clarification Insurance guy... and welcome to IceLeaders/FishingMinnesota!

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Your welcome and thanks for the welcome! Seems like we have some other folks here that know their insurance stuff too There's nothing worse than thinking you're covered and then something happens and you find out that you're not Always ask your insurance agent detailed questions and pose some scenarios to know for sure!

insurance guy aka slipbob!

[Hazzard]

I have American Family and they Insured my fish house as a trailer/camper for $170 a year $250 deductable in june 2005 in september we got hit by a hail storm and my brand new house was all full of dents, the adjuster came out and gave me $4000 to reside the hole house. Im lucky I had it insured.

[dirtking]

Just got insurance my fish house - $ 47 a year! I told him to add it under my homeowners/renters insurance. I'm sure I have a high deductible - but at least will be covered under fire or theft.

[wally20]

Looking at my policy right now (due sat.) Listed as 2003 ice Castle and serial #. $250 deductible comp and coll, costs me $20.50 for the year. My wife is also Ins. lady and agrees with others, unless you fish in your yard you need seperate policy!

[backlash 1]

$20. yr for stand alone policy??? Man I must be getting ripped off. I'm paying slightly over $200. yr for mine, maybe a little smaller deductable, but thats a big difference.

Who's your company?

[wally20]

State Farm, My house is only a 6 1/2 X 12, that my make a difference. We also have all Ins. with them.

[Scott M]

Insurance guy,

I know this is about 3 months too late, but does all of your fishing gear go under homeowners or renters? If so, I just need to list the stuff and/or (which) provide receipts?

thanks to you if you get around to it or anyone else who knows the answer...