Home Owners Insurance

[CapeReds]

We have been turned down by several insurance companies because of our chickens. Amazing! I am insuring 2 houses with a huge umbrella policy. When the line of questions comes to pets and I say 2 cats and 17 chickens, That's it. I get "Sorry, that's farming and we don't insure farms." I can't find any company that will cover us and we never had a claim, ever.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

That is so strange. My home insurance company is used to insuring real farmers - Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan. They also provide typical home insurance. They said the chickens, geese and swans we have do not affect a homeowner's policy, but a horse would or more than two four legged "farm animals" like a pig or even a miniature donkey would. My insurance company didn't ask me if I sold eggs either. I don't, but I am not sure if that makes a difference in risk coverage. Under the circumstances, when asked about pets, I might just say I have several hens that provide the family with a few eggs.

Try posting this on your state thread to find out how others in the area dealt with it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/50058/byc-members-in-massachusetts

 

[LoneStarHen]

My insurance company treats all my animals as pets, not a farm. A horse kicking someone is the same liability of my dog biting someone. The horses aren't used for business purposes, so they don't count me as a farm. They never said a word about the chickens. I sell eggs at the farmers market and I don't have customers come to the house.

 

[chfite]

As an aside, I would wonder how many chickens make a farm.

Chris

 

[ShellLea]

I've seen a couple of threads on this topic and I have to say, I'm kinda scared to shop for insurance now. I rent and I really need to get renter's insurance. I'm wondering if I will run into issues with having 30-some birds in the yard. I think I will start looking into it this coming week.

 

[cubbysan]

My insurance even allows me up to three livestock animals no problem, after that, then I would need farm insurance.

Insurance in MA is a pain in the neck. I had to go into the Massachusetts Insurance pool and buy an additional binder when I had a german shepherd.

Is State Farm in Massachusetts?

 

[bamachicks8]

When my friend was looking at Insurance on her new house her current Insurance company stopped her after the dogs(3) and cats (5) inside and some outside and told her that counted as a farm and they didn't cover farms good thing she didn't get to the birds or the sheep or the pig or the skunk or the deer or the cow

 

[cubbysan]

When my friend was looking at Insurance on her new house her current Insurance company stopped her after the dogs(3) and cats (5) inside and some outside and told her that counted as a farm and they didn't cover farms good thing she didn't get to the birds or the sheep or the pig or the skunk or the deer or the cow

I don't think I have ever been asked about the cats...

 

[Mtn Laurel]

We have been turned down by several insurance companies because of our chickens. Amazing! I am insuring 2 houses with a huge umbrella policy. When the line of questions comes to pets and I say 2 cats and 17 chickens, That's it. I get "Sorry, that's farming and we don't insure farms." I can't find any company that will cover us and we never had a claim, ever.

I was in the insurance industry for 30+ years and some companies do not wish to venture outside the "normal" pets of dogs and cats. I would recommend you look for an insurer that specializes in rural exposures. I checked the Farm Bureau in your state and they seem to recommend Farm Family Insurance at the following link. http://www.farmfamily.com/pub/PublicSite.nsf/agent.xsp

I know nothing about this insurance company so cannot personally recommend them but am sure you can research them online. If that fails, I would suggest you look for an Independent Insurance Agency. They represent several companies and there should be one that fits your needs. Good luck!

 

[luvmychkns]

Can anyone tell me if State Farm insurancein SC.Allows chickens? I have just 3.In pprocess of buying a home.