Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hello all,

I've been lurking for about a month and just registered a few days ago. I bought my first Springfield XDM 4.5" 9mm and have been to the range about 4 times with it. I am using my firearm as home defense and have been slowing convincing the wife to go shooting with me and when she did, she loved the art of shooting and firearms but is still scared of the loud "Bang."

I do have a question since this is my first firearm. Do I need to inform my home owner's insurance company that I now have a firearm for home protection? It will be stored in a locked safe bolted to a upper shelf in my closet. The gun will remain unloaded until my wife gets used to handling them. She is a sharpshooter though!

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Man

This is a purely personal opinion, but unless your policy has language that specifically requires notice to them that you have firearms on the premises, I'd say nothing. You don't have a big enough investment to worry about the risk of loss by theft or casualty. I always try to avoid creating records in the hands of third parties as to whether/how many firearms are owned by me just on general principle. And you may hit an agent or company that's anti-firearm. Of course, if your policy DOES prohibit firearms, require notice, or exclude coverage for losses involving them, I'd say it is time to change policies.

Which brings me to a question to which I don't know the answer: What DO homeowner's policies typically say about firearms, if anything?

I'm curious as to the reason for which you think you might have to notify your homeowner's insurance.

For example, is it because you want to make sure the value of your gun is covered in the event it is lost in a catastrophe (e.g., fire) or stolen? If so, unless you have some big collection of firearms or some of unusual value, such as rare or collectibles, it should be covered as your personal property, just like your furniture, etc.

If you're thinking about potential liability associated with having a gun in the house (e.g., someone finds it and accidentally shoots himself, or you shoot a burglar and he sues you), I don't know specifically, but I think you might possibly be inviting the insurer to increase your premium.

I did talk to my insurance agent about my firearms, just to make sure that their value was covered and whether I needed an extra rider. He didn't say a thing about making sure such liability was covered.

If you're really concerned, call your agent and ask the question posed as a hypothetical. "I was just wondering, if I were to keep a gun in the house for home protection, would that affect my insurance in any way, or create any insurance-related concerns?"

When I told my agent I had a safe with a bunch of guns in it, he didn't bat an eyelash. This is, after all, Richmond...

have mine insured through my policy. cost a little extra but worth it

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I've been doing research and read an article about Traveler's insurance canceling home owners insurance due to owning a firearm which started my initial question. That was a few years back but I couldn't find any updates on the situation.

I am asking the question because I wanted a more clear understanding of personal liability if someone broke into my house and I defended my home with my firearm. Would my homeowner's insurance cover personal liability suit against me?

I did call travelers and they cover loss or theft up to $2500 which is not as important to me since I am not a collector "yet"

I am covered for personal liability in self defense situations if I used a firearm to defend my home. I spoke with the underwriters and just wanted to have all my bases covered, god forbid a situation like that happens.

For those with renters policies my policy only covered 500 dollars worth of sporting goods so I had to have an add on for the guns nag rods and tree stands

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Good to see your question is resolved. Good think for the rest of us to do.

Simple solution if needed,,,If they bust oyur chops about firearms...DROP EM!

We have an agent that we use for insurance and had Travelers insurance for home and auto for several years, administered through the agent. when we moved, several years ago, Travelers was insistent, for our "new" house (1970's), that we replace the hot water heater and replace the tank for heating oil (tested... no leaks). Big $$ to replace. The agent didn't have another company that was OK with the oil tank, but several others that we called had no issue with it. we went with someone else and actually saved some money, too.
That said, you CAN find a company that will meet your needs. Several companies sell insurance, separate from homeowners, to help you out in the event that you have to use lethal force to defend yourself, as well.
Good luck.

Parry

Thank you all for the responses. I am headed to sharpshooters in Lorton on sunday for more practice. So far, the 3 times I have been to the range, I have had pretty good results.

and I have to agree with VBshooter if they bust your chops about firearms ... DROP EM! Never hurts to ask though.

Have you read your insurance policy, cover to cover? If your policy says nothing in regards to firearms, then I wouldn't, either. If the policy is opposed to clientele exercising their 2nd Amendment rights, I agree with the motion to get a new insurance company. Be sure to let the old company know why you are leaving them.