Old Man Winter has struck the country with a powerful punch, and many of your insureds may be using solid fuel heating appliances more frequently to combat his wrath! While these appliances serve a very useful purpose, they can be extremely hazardous if not properly installed and operated.  You can help your clients be safe – and properly insured – while using these appliances.  To do so, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

For classification purposes, we define solid fuel heating appliances as any units that burn solid fuels such as wood stoves, free standing fireplaces, units burning pelletized fuel, agricultural products and outdoor wood stoves. For the homeowners risk to be eligible for insurance coverage these units may only be located in the home or a free standing outdoor unit. Solid fuel heating appliances in an outbuilding, including attached or detached garages, are not acceptable and make the entire home ineligible for coverage.

Additionally, units must be approved by a recognized testing laboratory such as UL and Warnock Hersey. Stoves that do not have an approval label, are homemade or include a heat re-claimer are not acceptable and make the home ineligible for insurance coverage with Frankenmuth. Heat re-claimers are designed to capture lost heat from the flue and redirect it back into the room. Re-claimers are dangerous because they reduce the temperature in the chimney flue resulting in premature cooling. This process creates an excessive build-up of creosote and soot in the chimney/stovepipe.

It is also important these units include an adequate amount of clearance from walls or other obstructions around each side. Units must be installed to manufacturer’s specifications or within our guidelines listed in our Rule and Rate Guide. General condition and maintenance is also a key, and it is crucial the unit is properly cleaned and installed a proper distance away from any combustible materials.

When you are submitting an application with a solid fuel heating appliance please include the following:

•     Solid Fuel Heating Appliance Supplement, FM-362
•     Photo of the Unit (can be attached in IBIS using the File Attachment option)

A $125 per unit solid fuel heating appliance surcharge is applicable to dwellings with unit(s) on the premises, unless it is a built in fireplace, fireplace insert or an outdoor woodstove that is 15 feet or more from the dwelling and all other structures.

All solid fuel heating appliances are subject to underwriting approval.

Thank you for your continued support, and if you have any questions please feel free to contact your Underwriter or Field Manager.