Owner/Builders and those dang insurance companies.

[Jeff922]

I got an email today from the company who we purchase our insurance from for our Victoria's building project.  Here's part of the message:


"If you also can provide digital pictures of the progress (i.e., siding) that would be helpful, as well, in preventing adverse action by xxxxxxx.  Their biggest concern is that they've insured the dwelling for two years now and it's not 100% complete.  Usually they will insure a dwelling under construction for one year.  With an update of intentions/timeframe from you, I'm hoping the underwriter will work with us, as you have been a good client of xxxxxxx for many years."


So I guess I may loose my insurance depending on how much of a stickler the underwriter is.  That's a bummer.  These owner/builder projects can take a number of years as many of you know.  I'm working solo and one guy can only get so much done in a day.  In the great state of Maine where good ol' yankee individualism and thriftiness is prevalent, it is not unusual for people to build their own homes.  I assume these people have insurance. Has anyone else had an issue like this?  Any advice?

[astidham]

Jeff,
here in Oklahoma I can't find any insurance company who will insure my build unless I have a building loan.

[cabinfever]

None of the big companies would touch me, but I found a smaller firm that specializes in camps, cottages, and whatnot in NH and VT. They'll cover me with construction insurance as long as I need 'em. Just saying that they're out there, you just have to look harder than normal...

[Redoverfarm]

Jeff I would fire them back an E-mail explaining that you are a Owner/Builder and under that discription it takes a little longer to complete than a construction crew.  I would also advise that if it is their intention to cancel that you will seek another provider for this brief period of time and also to insure the residence once it is completed. 

I would ascertain if they have some extra office staff that they could volunteer that you should be able to finish it in a more timely fashion.

There is a multitude of insurers that would probably pick you up under a "home owner" policy constrution whh will just be rolled over to a permanent home owners policy upon completion.

[rick91351]

Our ranch is basically bare ground until the building of our shop this year.  Problem is no one lives on it full time.  My attorney and my insurance agent both counseled me that we need insurance for liability.  I could not agree more.  So I told my insurance agent fine write me a policy.  He thought he could, but again no one would under write it period.  I even posted something on the forum wondering if any one had any ideas.  They did find a reasonable company within my existing company that was still writing on bare ground.  

Moral of the story they are out there but you have to look very hard sometimes to find them.  However when they see your pictures they may very well may have a change of heart.  It is certainly not derelict nor suffering from lack of progress.  

[Jeff922]

Good to know Cabinfever.


Redoverfarm, I did exactly as you described.  I let them know that there is a large owner/builder community in Maine and that I should easily be able to find an owner/builder friendly company - kind of a bluff, but we shall see.

That's good to hear Rick, I sent some pics of my place to help my cause.  They have sent people out to the job site, but these people really don't know what they are looking at.

[bayview]

   I wasn't even able to get liability without a habitable building. . .    Garage and out-buildings didn't qualify.

   I put up no trespassing signs hoping it would cover my you-know-what until I got the cabin built.

/.

[cabinfever]

Jeff - I didn't notice the first time that you were in Western Maine. You might want to check into my company just in case they've expanded into your area of Maine: http://www.co-opinsurance.com/

[ChuckinVa]

Jeff,
Do you currently have a policy on another residence that you could have a rider attached to to cover the cabin build? Or an umbrella policy for liability only?

[Jeff922]

Chuck, yeah, I do have another policy with the same company.  Thanks for those ideas - something to look in to.

Cabinfever, thanks!  I feel very relieved that there may be some options for us if our current company isn't willing to accomodate.

[Jeff922]

Update:  Well, I got an email and since I sent pics of the siding almost completed, my contact person seemed a little more optimistic.  I have to fill out a form listing all my woodstove clearances also.  They also want to know if I stay there overnight - yep.  Humm...I predict a problem as they have mentioned an occupancy permit in the past.  I've told them several times that they don't do that in my location - heck, they don't really do anything, just plumbing and electric inspections, no building inspection.  All I have to do is fill out a form to let the state know that the conditions of my permit have been met. 

[MikeT]

I have not been able to get insurance for my project during my building phase.  I am a hair's breath from getting my Certificate of Occupancy, so getting insured at that point should be easier.  But if any of you who have had success during the building phase wouldn't mind sharing the names of the companies you have worked with, I would be most appreciative.  I would love to give business to companies who support people like us!  I would also gladly convert that into a regular homeowners policy.

m

[Jeff922]

The company I work with is Travelers (via a middleman).  I insure my primary residence and two vehicles with them so they really wanted to accomodate us.   Their normal construction insurance is one year but they gave us two.  It sure was nice knowing that if building materials were stolen from the job site that I was covered - especially since I live 2 hrs away.  They may cut me off and I might have to find a different company to do business with, but I was covered for two years.  I'm sure you can find some sort of coverage if you dig a little.  Owner/Builders just don't fit into a convenient corporate box...

[Chuck Adze]

Jeff,
There are Maine based insurance companies.
Maine Mutual Group (MMG) is one of them.

[Jeff922]

Thanks Chuck!

[chris1199]

Thanks for that info too, Cabinfever. Would you mind PMing me that company? We have a similar situation at our place in VT. Under construction..... slowly. No one wants to insure for more than 1 year. We are looking at 3-4 at least. I have another season just on the driveway.