insurance

[paul case]

My sawmill is not covered. peoiod.

I was pushed to insure the new mill by my bank. I got it under my homeowners/ farm liability  policy. My agent of 20 years wrote it and took money for it. The big company reviewed the policy and voided it( excluded sawmill and all sawmill related activity or machines) and sent me some of the money back. By this time I had the new one more than half paid off and they didn't make me go shopping so I didn't.

PC

[garyfg]

As I understood my agent new it was a personal use on my farm. I guess in Arkansas I didn't get a break. Really don't care got it home with no problem so as long as a big wind or a thief comes along I will be money ahead

[WLC]

Should be covered under either your homeowners or you could get an inland marine policy.  If your state requires them to be titled and tagged then you should be able to get insurance for it as a trailer.  It really is a trailer, it just so happens that the only payload it carries is a sawmill.

I have mine under an inland marine policy.  My bank wouldn't let me get away with it being just covered by my homeowners policy even though my insurance company had no problem with it.

BTW, Mine is for personal use only as well, not for hire.

[alabama]

@WLC good thinking and I believe you are right on! After all if it's tagged and going down the road it is a trailer.

[WV Sawmiller]

Ala,

  Just because the State requires a tag does not necessarily mean the insurance companies  will see it the same way. You will find a big deciding factor with many insurance companies is whether it is used for personal use or profit. As mentioned above some insurance companies will insure it as a piece of farm equipment if personal use.

   I think many of the insurance companies, especially the ones who refuse to insure a mill, think of it a big old, un-guarded machine like on the Waltons or other old TV shows and movies. They envision loose flopping belts , big exposed spinning circle blades, etc. being run by 3 fingered operators with no teeth I think we all know we are more likely to get hurt turning a log with a cant hook or stacking lumber or slabs by hand than by a modern, well designed band mill.

[garyfg]

WV Sawmiller I belive you hit the nail on the head. That's what they think so don't want to take the chance. If they would researce bandmills they would see no more dangerous than a skill saw.

[Carson-saws]

Paid for a "rider addition" on my truck that helps cover the cost should something happen to the equipment..Because the mill is considered "agricultural equipment" by this insurance company it cost me $13 more on my premium.

[WV Sawmiller]

Carson,

   Does the rider just cover any damage to the mill incurred while towing it or does it provide coverage once you arrive and disconnect? One way (while towing) sounds like a good deal, if complete coverage all the time sounds like a great deal.

[Glenn1]

If you want an insurance company that specializes in sawmills and lumber, try Pennsylvania Lumbermans.  I've been real happy with them.

[Robert Owens]

I talked to my State Farm agent this past week and was shocked to learn that they won't offer an inland marine policy for my mill. I have a policy for my tractor and my goose neck stock trailer but learned when I drove to Cooks to pick up my mill if I had been in a wreck on the way home with it they would not have covered it. I have two farms about 20 miles apart and need to be able to pull it to both farms. My agent is looking in to it and trying to find a policy that would cover it on the road. It is covered as long as it stays put at my place. After learning all of this I have a lot of questions for my agent so I will know exactly what is and is not covered. Never assume.

[SkyDoc]

Don't waste your time with the agent in Wisconsin. I called him last week, got the application and filled it out, returned to him post haste and have now called three times and left messages as well as an email and he hasn't contacted me back. I thought he was in the business of selling insurance, but I guess not...?

So y'all say farm bureau huh?

State Farm wouldn't give me an inland marine policy because I didn't have 2 years of verifiable milling experience.

I need something and I need it NOW!

Doc

[JB Griffin]

I have Farm Bureau and am about ready to fire um. They wont insure sawmills or trucks bigger than a 1 ton. What about the part of their name that says "Farm" lotsa farmers around here have bob trucks or semi's. What gives.

[Darrel]

The farm bureau is getting out of the farming business but retaining the name.