The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Buildings & planning => Topic started by: ricardodba on January 04, 2016, 03:04:05 pm

Title: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: ricardodba on January 04, 2016, 03:04:05 pm: Hi,

Does anyone know if i need to take out a 'specialist' insurance policy for off-grid equipment?

I have a block built shed/garage which houses my generator, batteries, inverters etc for my power supply.
Most insurances im seeing cover for up to 3k in a garage...i need about 3 times that covering and its not your run-of-the-mill equipment like a lawn mower etc!!!

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: bazzais on January 04, 2016, 08:30:06 pm: Ask them to put it in writing on your insurance cover and you can be sure it is if I were you.
Title: Re: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: Dav275 on January 05, 2016, 10:22:21 am: We were in the same position. We went with a 'non-standard' policy from a specialist company, partly for the off-grid aspect, but also most mainstream insurers seem to struggle with anything that does not conform to their standard construction interpretation. ie. bricks / mortar / slate roof.

We specified an increase to the contents value for both the garage (contains the heating system) and powerhouse.
Title: Re: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: ricardodba on January 06, 2016, 10:22:11 am: do you have to let the insurance company know that you're off grid?
Title: Re: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: Dav275 on January 06, 2016, 09:08:55 pm: Perhaps I'm too cynical, but too many insurance companies seem inclined to look for any excuse to avoid paying out, so omitting a 'material fact' may invalidate a claim.
Title: Re: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: bazzais on January 07, 2016, 06:24:25 pm: If you insure with a company who specialises with your industry they will send someone round for a cup of coffee and a walk round and make the policy fit your needs - not just sell you a 'product' online and cop out of it cos you have not put a omma in a sentance or not included in legal terms what you thought you were paying for.

Insurance is not alot to outlay - and if your not getting back anywhere near what you are paying - your doing it wrong.
Title: Re: Offgrid buildings/contents insurance?
Post by: bazzais on January 07, 2016, 06:25:37 pm: Your not just paying for the piece of mind - your paying into insurance so that when trouble starts it does not wreck the business straight away and you can go on and continue to pay future payments.