Tennessee law -- ammo storage, homeowners insurance

[Guest Abominable_Hillbilly]

Hi, Fellas. I'm new around here and was hoping someone might be able to help me with a few legal questions.

I live in Knox County and have my homeowners insurance through State Farm. After having made several bulk ammunition purchase in recent months, some questions have occurred to me. I wasn't aware of any laws in Knox County or in Tennessee regarding ammunition limits. Do such laws exist? Also, State Farm has been very vague when I've inquired about such limits in terms of my homeowners policy. I'd hate to compromise my coverage in the event of a fire. Do any of you use an insurance company that has been explicit with you about ammo and powder? I don't suppose any of you are a claims attorney for State Farm?

This is not a huge amount of ammo, but it is enough to shock the ignorant, so I'm trying to cover all my bases.

TIA

[cadillacdude1975]

no limit from what the law says that i am aware of. you might want to review your homeowners insurance policy though.

[Guest Len]

As far as I know, there is no law that specifies allowable quantities. Insurance policies will vary by carrier. My policy has no explicit limit spelled out.

[strickj]

Didnt Musicman post somthing about homeowners insurance policy a couple weeks ago?

[Marswolf]

I've dealt with the insurance agencies in my time. At one time I issues policies.

You do a lot of things "between jobs".

What I need to tell you it to READ YOUR POLICY and UNDERSTAND IT.

I'm sorry if that is flippant, but the truth is, you are covered for what is exactly...in your policy.

I'd have to take a look at the whole document.

[DRM]

Abominable - I was gonna refer you to somewhere else I remembered someone asking a similar question... then I realized that someone else was probably *you* asking this elsewhere.

Am I right?

[Guest Abominable_Hillbilly]

Abominable - I was gonna refer you to somewhere else I remembered someone asking a similar question... then I realized that someone else was probably *you* asking this elsewhere.

Am I right?

Hey, bud. Dat me.

This is really driving me nuts.

[DRM]

Still no solid answer from your agent? He/she really should be the one who can answer this for you.

Go ahead and get a FULL copy of your policy and start reading, too.

[PackinMama]

I was living in a mobile home in '95 and I had two large paper bags of different calibers of ammunition stored in my bedroom closet. My place caught fire in the middle of the night (fire marshall said faulty wiring in the wall).....the smoke alarms woke me up and I got out.....but my trailer went up like a matchbook. All I could hear when I was outside watching my place burn (from a distance) was bullets going off. It sounded like the fourth of July in the middle of December. I lost several great guns (very sentimental ones too ) in that fire along with two dogs.....one of which was the best dog I've ever had. Anyway, the insurance co. paid me the max with no problems and no questions about the ammo. Someone later told me that they could have used that against me because the ammo wasn't "properly" stored in metal cans. I don't know for sure if that person really knew what they were talking about, but I now store all my extra ammo in military ammo cans. Better safe than sorry. I would still try to get an answer from your agent too though.

[Guest GLOCKGUY]

i use tn farm bureau and i talk to my agent about ammo she said there was no problem with it. she said i can keep as much as i want. but she did say to store it right. she never said what right was

[Marswolf]

I'd suggest reading your policy very carefully. That's always a good idea anyway.

BTW, your policy doesn't need to be where it will burn up in a house fire. And most "fireproof" safes aren't, if the fire goes on for more than 10 minutes. They are more like inept burglar retardant.

[Fallguy]

And most "fireproof" safes aren't, if the fire goes on for more than 10 minutes. They are more like inept burglar retardant.

Unless they just take the whole thing like they did mine.....

[Tim Nunan]

Whilie not a regulatory agency you might find some ideas here:

www.saami.org

[DRM]

BTW, your policy doesn't need to be where it will burn up in a house fire. And most "fireproof" safes aren't, if the fire goes on for more than 10 minutes. They are more like inept burglar retardant.

Most safes are "fire rated" for XX time period @ YYY temperature. The fact is - most fires don't really burn all that long @ high temps in a house fire, but some research into what is recommended would be advisable (instead of just buying the cheapest safe you can find).

[Marswolf]

A lot of those fire retardant safes also have a gel in the walls that keeps releasing moisture. If you are going to store anything in there that will rust - like a pistol??? - you need to put in a desiccant of some sort. Just recharged my Remington plug-in desiccant thingy last night.

http://www.remington.com/products/accessories/storage_&_safety/model_365_mini-Dehumidifier.asp

Edited March 27, 2008 by Marswolf

[Magiccarpetrides]

I use the Silica Big Packs in mine. My safe doesnt have a pass through for a cord so I have to use old school dessicants. My safe is waterproof and fireproof however. I agree with you though Mars...its more like a Inept Burglar Retardant. It also keeps would be visitors from getting to nosy or taking something they shouldnt.

Edit: I didnt realize that was a stand-alone model..thats pretty cool where did you buy yours from?

[Marswolf]

My safe also doesn't have a pass through, but I guess I could drill one. But the Remington is designed to be regenerated for a few hours (plug it in , plug it in) then replaced in the safe. Really not a permanent connection device.

Per your edit.

I got mine from a gun shop. I thought it was sexy enough for a purchase - plus they were going out of business and I got a great price.

Edited March 27, 2008 by Marswolf

[Guest Liberty Seeker]

We have them here at our parts store on Clinton Highway. Two different sizes. I just bought one of the larger ones(looks like the pic but doesn't say Remington on it).

[musicman]

Sorry for being so late! I can't speak for any other insurance company, but with Farmers Insurance Group (NOT Farm Bureau) we don't discriminate against gun owners. Guns and/or ammo do not exclude you from anything or negate any coverages.

The only thing to watch out for is that some fire departments will not enter a burning house that contains ammo or powder. Also, most policies have a $1,000 to $2,500 limit on firearms and accessories. I imagine that most of us have much more than that invested. I'd guess many of us have at least 5-10 guns, at least 3,000 rounds of ammo, then holsters, cleaning equipment, cases, and reloading equipment if you're into it. I have my stuff insured at $10,000, and probably should increase that, and I don't have nearly as much stuff as most of you!

Call your current agent (or me!) to properly cover your guns and accessories. It doesn't take long or cost much.