2nd post. Insurance.

[Bigly]

Hi,

I thought I'd keep this question separate from my 1st post about blades.

My question is not about whether but about who.  If this is considered (if indirectly) advertising and violates the rules, my apologies.  I've looked through past threads about this and seen recommendations for Nationwide and Scottsdale (which I assume is based in AZ?).

I guess I'm wondering who you use and have had a positive experience with.  Feel free to PM if this topic is off the rails.  I think I can PM...?

I'm specifically planning on mobile sawing and sawing on my site.  I do not plan to haul anything other than the mill & related tools and I do not want to be on a homeowner's policy.  I do not want to mess around with being under-insured.

thanks,
Bigly

[WV Sawmiller]

   Welcome. You don't need to number your posts. We don't care what order it was posted as we just respond to the topic if we feel led. Save the keystrokes. ;D

   I use a Nationwide dealer but she is a broker for others and my insurance does not come from Nationwide. I think that is pretty common. How good is my insurance? I don't know as I have not had a claim and I don't think any of us can really answer that question until there is a claim. I saw at home and mobile. I suggest you find a reputable dealer, clearly identify to them what you do/plan to do so they can assess the risks and communicate back and forth until the agent understands your needs and you understand and are satisfied with the coverage offered. Expect the insurance company to come back with some questions for clarification. That is a good thing because it shows they are paying attention and are interested and tailoring a policy to your needs and not just offering a boilerplate with gaps in your coverage and you paying for protection from things you don't need. 

[KenMac]

I also would like specific info about y'all's agents and provider info. My first experience was very expensive and cannot find others willing to even quote coverage. My wife works for a bank which also has an insurance department, but they cannot help either.
 If this is improper for open forum, please PM me if you're willing to share info. Thanks

[terrifictimbersllc]

Suggest you go to a local independent insurance agency that does small business insurance. That's what I did. They, not you, will know the various commercial insurance companies. 

[Bigly]

TT, I will certainly do so.  I guess I just wondered whether there was some agency or agent somewhere who knew the ins and outs of this without having to have everything explained to them.  thanks

[jeepcj779]

  I have been going through the same issues with insurance. I am just getting started milling, and I plan to saw portable only for business, but I will saw for myself on my property. I wanted to get general liability coverage, property for the mill, and also a commercial auto policy for my tow vehicle.
  I originally tried to get coverage through Farm Bureau, but they were really high on the GL and property. Based on some advice I received from some forum members in the business section (full members only), I called Nationwide. Their GL coverage came in much cheaper than farm bureau, but their commercial auto was ridiculously high. Also, the only way Nationwide will provide property coverage for the mill is on an auto policy (because it is on a trailer from the factory). That coverage was high also, and I would be forced to get their expensive auto policy in order to get expensive property coverage for the mill. Together the quote for commercial auto and property was almost $4000/yr.
  So I went back to Farm Bureau and asked the agent if they write commercial auto policies. They do, so then I asked if the mill property coverage could be on the auto policy, and explained to him the "trailer" was an integral part of the mill and they are inseparable, so they should be able to cover the mill under the auto policy. He came back with a rate that is less than 1/3 of what Nationwide quoted for similar coverage.
  Long story short, I'll be going through Nationwide for GL, and Farm Bureau for the commercial auto and mill property coverage. Hope this helps.

[terrifictimbersllc]

TT, I will certainly do so.  I guess I just wondered whether there was some agency or agent somewhere who knew the ins and outs of this without having to have everything explained to them.  thanks

I get brochures from Pennsylvania Lumbermans insurance company. That name gives me the impression that they might be ones more familiar with what we do. Maybe some here could comment.

[Jwswan]

Yep, second finding a (good) local agent.  Just yesterday I had to call my agent here in N. WI to take my LT 35 off (since I sold it a couple weeks ago) and to get the new, almost built LT40 Super wide on.   He took my old mill off and prorated my coverage to the day I sold it, so I didn't have to pay extra, which I was totally expecting to do since I got lazy and didn't call ahead.   He also got my new mill covered starting on it's delivery date to WI, in spite of not having a serial # yet, though I'll email that to him when I get it for the transport home from the WI dealer.  Besides finding the appropriate means by which to cover me and my shop as a wooden boatbuilder (which didn't sound easy),  he's helped me add/remove coverage for one day and multi day workshops at my boatshop and keeping me covered for site work, including logging on private land.   His outfit uses at least one national company, with I'm sure re-insurance and a bunch of other tech stuff above my pay grade, but it's so nice to interface with someone local and sincerely engaged in what I'm doing.  Plus, local insurance folks tend to have their finger on the pulse and know just about everyone around, so if you're good to deal with, I'm sure your name will get some free advertising/networking through a local outfit. Good luck!    -Josh 

[YellowHammer]

TT, I will certainly do so.  I guess I just wondered whether there was some agency or agent somewhere who knew the ins and outs of this without having to have everything explained to them.  thanks

I get brochures from Pennsylvania Lumbermans insurance company. That name gives me the impression that they might be ones more familiar with what we do. Maybe some here could comment.

I use Pennsylvania Lumberman's, they are probably one of the biggest and most comprehensive lumber insurance companies out there.  I use them because NONE of the TV commercial insurance companies would insure our entire operation, they would look at the complexity of our operation and run away.  Pennsylvania Lumbermans (actually they are Pennsylvania/Indiana Lumberman's) insures the real big boys, as well as some of the other here on this forum.  Their people are extremely knowledgeable and were the only insurance company that send out auditors to make sure I'm doing my part right.  They don't play, but I don't want them to, I want a professional sawmill, retail sales, lumber production insurance company, not a stitched together policy.  They aren't cheap, they will hold you to a very high standard, and they will audit you.   

[K-Guy]

They aren't cheap, they will hold you to a very high standard, and they will audit you.   

Sounds like you run the company!! : ;D

[YellowHammer]

No, but I figure I've paid enough to own part of it. :D :D

[Bigly]

Cool, I'll try the local boys and look into PA L if I strike out.  Thanks for the input.

JMSWAN- shout out to Bayfield Co! I grew up pulling brookies out of the Muskeg creek in Oulu.

[Jwswan]

Bigly- Whoa! small world!   I've got a buddy with some land next to the muskeg and my wife and our boys were just over yesterday canoeing a section of the Brule (stones bridge to Winneboujou).  very cool.   good luck w/ getting insured.   It's a good feeling knowing you're covered.   

[Bigly]

One of these days I'll get back there and drop a line in my old fishing holes...  Are you building boats in Bayfield JMSwan? 
I ended up going with Nationwide, which was slightly less expensive than a local outfit.