New England winters are like no others. They are long, bitter cold and tremendously costly. That’s why many homeowners turn to wood stoves and fireplaces to offset energy bills. But installing a wood stove or activating a fireplace must be done correctly. If not, you could be vulnerable of having a claim denied. At ALLConnecticut Insurance, our professionals are committed to helping members of the West Hartford, CT community stay properly insured. Please consider these things about open flame that might put you at risk.
Wood Stoves
Wood burning stoves are wonderful ways to heat a home and lower energy bills. You can even cook a few meals on them. Many Connecticut homes already have viable chimneys in place to tap into. However, national and state fire code regulations must be followed. To ensure that your policy will cover a loss due to fire, a wood stove may need to be inspected and approved. You’ll need to follow up with your insurance professional to make sure your carrier knows about the installation.
Fireplaces
It’s fairly common for people to purchase a home with an inactive fireplace. But considering it’s there, why not get it up and running? Few things are as appealing as warm cozy nights in front of the fire. But like wood stoves, a fireplace needs to meet strict fire and building code regulations. You’ll need to have an activated one inspected and update your homeowners policy as well. Insurance companies base premiums on potential risk of loss factors. Open flame can significantly change those calculations.
It’s important to update a policy any time you make noteworthy alterations and upgrades to your property. At ALLConnecticut Insurance, we are available to help members of the West Hartford, CT revise and renew homeowners policies that ensure continuous coverage.