Many of us have our double rifles and other worthy firearms insured through SIAI in Florida, which is made available to SCI members. Has anyone ever made a successful claim with SIAI? I just received a new contract from them and it has an plethora of exceptions noted! For example, they will not pay for theft from inside your automobile unless there is visible evidence of forced entry by tools, explosives, electronics or chemicals. So if someone absconds with your keys and remote and then steals your Rigby, tough crap. Many of you also use Core-Vens. Same question there - if you need to use it do they pay or find some excuse not to? I've seen some historical posts about SIAI indicating difficulty but have not heard anything about specific claims. I'm trying to decide if SIAI is worth keeping or if there is something better out there. Any real experiences with insurance claims to share?

Have you talked to your homeowner's insurance agent? You can buy an item specific coverage for your firearms that you can even include the specific scope and case on. It is priced by the $1,000 in value, usually around two dollars or so per thousand. Many of those policies cover all perils including accidental loss. If the democrats have their way I'll probably be busted for insurance fraud because I'll report that all my guns fell out of a boat into the lake.

Bob - Thanks. Yes, I used to carry coverage with State Farm under similar conditions that you listed. SIAI was about half the cost which is why I moved to them. With the latest contract I am starting to look around again.

quote:

Originally posted by heym470ne:
Bob - Thanks. Yes, I used to carry coverage with State Farm under similar conditions that you listed. SIAI was about half the cost which is why I moved to them. With the latest contract I am starting to look around again.

Unfortunately, if you want broader coverage, you'll probably have to pay for it through State Farm (or similarly situated insurer). At least that was what I determined to be the case when I insured my guns through State Farm over other less expensive options. I also feel much more comfortable dealing with SF, and if I need to sue them for breach of contract, that's no problem either.

Heym,

I used to use SIAI. I had a shotgun damaged while it was checked baggage on flight from Africa. They managed to bend the barrels. SIAI declined my claim and accusing me of bending them myself on purpose.

I dropped them and will never use them again. They are idiots IMO.

Travelers is the underwriter of the Core-Vens. I have yet to file a claim so not to sure how it would go.

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
Heym,

I used to use SIAI. I had a shotgun damaged while it was checked baggage on flight from Africa. They managed to bend the barrels. SIAI declined my claim and accusing me of bending them myself on purpose.

I dropped them and will never use them again. They are idiots IMO.

Thanks for that tidbit surestrike, I have a policy with them and I was about to renew, this is a big help. jorge

PS: any recommendations?

surestrike

That sounds off but probably typical for an insurance company.

What was the outcome in the end, did they flatly refuse to cover it and did you try taking them to court ?

My best friend is a retired insurance agent. His advice to me (and we lived too far apart for him to be my agent) was always to use a local agent for all your insurance. A good agent has some influence with his company and you are buying him as much as you are the company. I've never had any huge claims but my agent has handled all the claims I have ever had flawlessly.

quote:

Originally posted by 505G:
surestrike

That sounds off but probably typical for an insurance company.

What was the outcome in the end, did they flatly refuse to cover it and did you try taking them to court ?

Refused and I did not take them to court. It wasn't worth my time.

This is all good information. It sounds like I am wasting my $$ with SIAI, which was my suspicion. I do recall that, although more expensive, the State Farm policy was an "all-peril" policy which basically meant that if it broke or I damaged it, the thing was covered. Still interested in hearing about any experiences with Core-Vens.