Home Owners Insurance

[canalcolt]

We recently switched home owners insurance. They did an inspection and want to know how many goats and chickens we have and what their purpose is for. We have 8 goats (three are babies) and and probably about 40 chickens (15 are preteen chickens). We use our chickens and goats for eggs and milk and pets. Is this okay to tell them that? We had gotten more chickens to butcher them this year but unfortunately the foxes are back and killed off a few so we might end up keeping these. I feel like I have to add an explanation we why we have so many. My husband says just to put eggs, milk, and pets.
Anyone have this happen?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I've never heard of that. Perhaps that is something regional. I was speaking to my insurance agent recently and mentioned that I no longer had dogs (they both passed after very long lives). They had been on my homeowners insurance policy. I did tell her about the chickens and all I got was a chuckle. Where are you located? Urban or rural?

 

[getaclue]

Some companies will offer additional coverage for damage to, and from some types of livestock. I'd put it on there the way your husband said.

 

[trudyg]

Are they wanting to know if you sell anything for which they may be held liable? I'd ask them, but pets should be fine unless they can be considered a nuisance (if your pet can cause you to be sued, in other words). As long as you aren't violating noise/livestock ordinances and have everything contained (not pooping on the neighbors driveway or guineas waking them up at dawn) you should be okay. Back when the pit bull scare was big, our homeowners insurance asked about pets because of that liability. We were also mailed an addendum to our policy about AIDS back in the day, saying policy holders were not covered if sued for passing aids to anyone. Very much driven by current events, that was back when the Ryan White thing was going on. Knee jerk reaction to what was in the news of the day. Ask them, but always answer truthfully-- you wouldn't want a claim to be denied because you fudged on something.

 

[canalcolt]

I've never heard of that. Perhaps that is something regional. I was speaking to my insurance agent recently and mentioned that I no longer had dogs (they both passed after very long lives). They had been on my homeowners insurance policy. I did tell her about the chickens and all I got was a chuckle. Where are you located? Urban or rural?

Rural. County wise I can have all these animals. I'm guessing they want to know if I'm running a business?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Gee and I thought it was weird when I found out chihuahuas were considered aggressive dogs on insurance. My chickens are more aggressive than the little dogs ever were. LOL!

 

[canalcolt]

Are they wanting to know if you sell anything for which they may be held liable? I'd ask them, but pets should be fine unless they can be considered a nuisance (if your pet can cause you to be sued, in other words). As long as you aren't violating noise/livestock ordinances and have everything contained (not pooping on the neighbors driveway or guineas waking them up at dawn) you should be okay. Back when the pit bull scare was big, our homeowners insurance asked about pets because of that liability. We were also mailed an addendum to our policy about AIDS back in the day, saying policy holders were not covered if sued for passing aids to anyone. Very much driven by current events, that was back when the Ryan White thing was going on. Knee jerk reaction to what was in the news of the day. Ask them, but always answer truthfully-- you wouldn't want a claim to be denied because you fudged on something.

That's what I'm thinking is if I'm selling. That is crazy about the AIDs. That's the other thing is how many animals. We have a lot so I'm just wondering if we say we are eatting this for ourselves they might not believe us? We have given eggs to family but have taken no money.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Rural. County wise I can have all these animals. I'm guessing they want to know if I'm running a business?

I'm in a "right to farm" community so you can have whatever, within reason. Just tell them you are an animal lover and these are your pets.

 

[trudyg]

I wouldn't think they would care if you have tons of animals and say they are for eating. If you have a claim and they found out you were selling them, then you might have a problem. Say if you had show quality birds and sold some to a breeder, that would change things. As long as you are truthful, you should be ok.

 

[canalcolt]

I've never heard of that. Perhaps that is something regional. I was speaking to my insurance agent recently and mentioned that I no longer had dogs (they both passed after very long lives). They had been on my homeowners insurance policy. I did tell her about the chickens and all I got was a chuckle. Where are you located? Urban or rural?

I live in rural. it's okay with our city/county laws.