Mill Insurance for those of us in Canada

[WoodenHead]

I've been discussing the matter of insurance in regards to my sawmill, planer, kiln, etc. with my present agent who covers me for my solar business.  I found out today they won't cover my equipment and they want an exclusion clause for my existing business policy stating they are not responsible for any liability associated with activities pertaining to milling.  So, I'm in the market for insurance for my equipment and business.  I'm too small it seems to be considered by insurance companies specializing in sawmill operations.  How are others handling insurance?

[landscraper]

Look up the Woodchuck Insurance Program - I stumbled across it when researching sawmill stuff but I saw that it was solely for Canada portable mills and forestry equipment.  I  googled "Canada Woodchuck Insurance"

[DaleK]

I'd look around for mutual insurance companies that do a lot of farm coverage, they'll have run across mills before and be able to handle them. I use Commonwell (formerly Farmer's Mutual) out of Lindsay.

[Sheepkeeper]

The Woodchuck Insurance Program is offered by Underwriting Contract Administrators Inc. out of Dartmouth, NS. The program is offered right across Canada. I got my policy through my local insurance broker. You can get information about it at [http://www.ucai.ca/wood.html]

[hamish]

Look for the smaller agri related companies, to all the other insurance companies you might as well be running  a nuclear reactor in your backyard, operated by chimps.  This will only get you to the liability stage of coverage. 

When the demons in the white vehicles show up, get ready to play the game.  Sawdust and parts thereof are the most toxic substances known to man in the province of Ontario.

I only mill about 20kBF a year mainly for personal use (old homestead needs a lot of work) and family use.  Seems the MOE had a great interest in my milling operations, and I am not in downtown Toronto.

After 3 environmental impact assessments it was deemed that my 3 cows, 10 chickens, and 1 dog (okay I pee off the porch some nights too) were deemed to be more detrimental to MY land than my milling.

The ordeal cost a lot, and a lot of headache.

[SwampDonkey]

You must have gotten on the wrong side of the neighbors. Or new ones. ;D

[Brucer]

The Woodchuck Insurance Program is offered by Underwriting Contract Administrators Inc. out of Dartmouth, NS. The program is offered right across Canada.

Go to your local insurance agent. Have them contact the company mentioned. Underwriting Contract Administrators will pay your agent a commission so your agent stands to benefit as well.

This program is specifically aimed at the small, portable bandsaw mills. The insurance company actually sent people out to see the mills in operation before determining their rates. They have a list of approved vendors, which includes most of the brand names.

[highleadtimber16]

I insure my mil with ICBC. It's just under $200 a year.

[hamish]

You must have gotten on the wrong side of the neighbors. Or new ones. ;D

New ones that "thankfully" have moved away.

[MAI]

Over the years I've referred quite a few people to the Wood-Chuck Program.  I would suggest using their insurance coverage as the benchmark.  Others may be cheaper but the coverage may not be the same.  Always make sure you are comparing apples to apples!   

[WoodenHead]

Thanks everyone!  I'm going to try Wood-Chuck insurance.  I passed it on to my insurance broker to see what they might do with it.  Apparently they have something for me as well (might be the same thing).  From what I can tell, it suits my operation the best.  I'm small and will likely be small for quite some time to come.

[Brucer]

I insure my mil with ICBC. It's just under $200 a year.

ICBC will insure the mill, but it doesn't give you any liability coverage. That's fine if you're using it just for yourself.