Firearm Insurance

[DevilDawgJJ]

Background:

So I called my insurance company (USAA) and asked about increasing my coverage for my firearms. I on my current renters policy, I'm covered 2K minus $250 deductable.

I asked for 8K more in coverage, which came to $10 more a month. (This coverage is with one firearm for 8k or for 30 firearms).

Here's the catch. The rep wanted: make, model, cal., quantity, and serial number. I told him that I didn't feel comfortable divulging that information because of all the 3rd party information sharing issues (especially from the written speech he gave me over the phone). Hell I might as well register all my firearms with the state in that case. I didn't even feel comfortable telling how many I had....

Question: Is this typical for insurance companies to ask? Is there a way to get coverage without divulging all that information? Does anyone recommend another less intrusive form of coverage. I would be good for 10k of coverage.

[paul0660]

It is itemized coverage, and they want to know what you have. I think if you went up the ladder a bit they would go with the last two digits X'd out, or might live with photos without serials. USAA is pretty cool about everything, but your concern about sharing (or otherwise being compromised) is not paranoid.

[DevilDawgJJ]

Didn't think to ask! I'll see what I can get away with....

[Steve_In_29]

Skipping last 2 digits or providing pictures is pretty much the same thing as the Agent requested in the first place. Both of those options still provides a detailed list of everything you own as far as weapons go.

Can't exactly tell the cop confiscating weapons you don't have something when it's in the picture he is holding.

[theneko]

The NRA insurance through Lockton doesn't ask for serial numbers.

[Dano3467]

I've got State Farm, they didn't ask one question, not even when I upped the coverage couple months back...

[SonofWWIIDI]

Back door registration!

Insurance info is only confidential on an individual basis (you can't call someone else's insurance company and get the details of their coverage), so if big brother asks, they will give it up.

[Steve_In_29]

I've got State Farm, they didn't ask one question, not even when I upped the coverage couple months back...

Good to hear since I have them as well and was thinking about upping my coverage. How expensive was it?

[Dano3467]

My home policy has addition to it, I thinking it was just $25, I mite be off a little but not much...

[ElDub1950]

I'm trying to imagine why an insurance company would sell coverage for an item without knowing what they were covering.

"Hello, Mr Insurance Agent, I want to insure a picture for $10,000 .. no I don't want to tell you about the picture..."

Just increase your general coverage amount. They you just have to have documentation if you're claiming a loss.

[Steve_In_29]

My home policy has addition to it, I thinking it was just $25, I mite be off a little but not much...

How much coverage did you get for $25?

[Steve_In_29]

I'm trying to imagine why an insurance company would sell coverage for an item without knowing what they were covering.

"Hello, Mr Insurance Agent, I want to insure a picture for $10,000 .. no I don't want to tell you about the picture..."

Just increase your general coverage amount. They you just have to have documentation if you're claiming a loss.

NOPE most companies make you get specific riders for guns/furs/jewelry once you get above a certain value so just upping the contents coverage won't work.

The company doesn't necessarily need to see proof of ownership/value of an item unless there is a loss. At which point if you can't provide such.... well then you were just paying them extra profit each month.

[RGMoore]

I have State Farm and just have the standard coverage. When I inquired about raising the amount on firearms my agent said they needed to be listed. I said no thanks, I'll just buy a safe. My agent said that's what he would do also.

[Steve_In_29]

My State Farm policy has separate riders for my guns and my wife's jewelry but both are only for $2,500 now and I didn't have to give any info. After a friend of mine got robbed I am looking to up the coverages on both.

[Dano3467]

$5000, gonna up it again...