Don’t tell them a thing.
Insurance companies have no say in the matter. All you are required to do is report the gun stolen if it happens, failure to do that IS a big problem.
The thing I like best about NOT BEING an undocumented, illegal alien invader.
Gun ownership!
I’ve lived in my current home for 16 years, and am on my 3rd homeowners insurance policy. Not one of them expressly asked about weapon ownership on the base policy. If you want to increase your personal item propery loss (what’s inside your home that isn’t the structure itself) then you start decaring items of value at at that point you can list firearms.
TLDR: Firearm ownership isn’t asked, isn’t a part of the premium. You can declare for increased coverage at an increased premium. That is of your own free will.
My insurance company won’t allow me to own a Pit Bull, a Big Cat, a poisonous or large snake, or a pot bellied pig.
I don’t know about a gun.....................
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
This is America. That should give you your answer.
Does anyone know if you're required to tell the insurance company that writes your Homeowner/Umbrella policy that you own one?
Say what?
I never have.
First gun in 50+ years and you’re worried about it getting stolen and used in a crime? The probability of that happening is pretty remote. Assuming you’re buying a pistol, buy a safe to store it as well. Never leave a gun unsecured and unattended. Know where it is at all times and you’ll be fine. There is USCCA insurance which is a good to have if you have to defend yourself.
hmmm, took me a second to unpack that.
First, no you dont need to tell your insurance company you own a gun.
Second, dont let your gun get stolen.
State Farm in Texas does not ask you for homeowners / umbrella liability, which they do for other things, such as a boat. Saying yes on the boat will cost you double but they will cover it for a price.
Dig up your policy and read it. It may be thick reading but the key words can jump out.
If you are legally allowed to own one…and you follow the rules of the “commonwealth” you should be fine.
Obviously, don’t leave a loaded weapon laying around for a kid to pick up, and you will be OK.
The policies might say something on this, but I greatly doubt it. But no one else can tell you what YOUR policies have buried in them. Your need to bite the bullet and read your policies (especially the liability section) and mark up anything relevant.
Homeowners policies usually have some coverage for loss of firearms to theft, with a low maximum of $2k-3k. If you want more coverage with higher limits (someone I know has $25k), you generally have to pay extra for Personal Property Coverage and, and tell the insurer what that property is.
If your firearm is stolen and you timely report that to the police and your insurer, I can’t imagine a scenario where a third party can claim damages for subsequent misuse of the firearm by criminals. Were that legally possible, scammers would have already put insurers out of business. Your insurance agent can tell you how that works in your state.
1.) Law Enforcement Officers
If you are really concerned about it, 1) have an attorney review your existing homeowner’s policy and 2) get a supplemental gun owner’s policy from a 3rd party.
Move to a Free State.
One Satuday here in Texas, a guy with a New England accent was in a local gun store looking at handguns. He found one he liked and asked the clerk where he had to register it to buy it in Texas, as he had just moved from Massachusetts.
Clerk said you don’t have to register a gun in Texas. Man asks what do I have to do to buy one, then. Clerk said if you have a Texas drivers license with your current address (he said he did), then all you do is fill out the federal 4473 form. Then we call the NICS center and if you don’t have a criminal record,we sell you the gun.
Well, he asked, when could he take the gun home? In about 15 minutes if you pass the NICS check. The guy was getting more and more incredulous of what the clerk was saying, and other customers were trying to assure him the Clerk was correct. He then thought we were all putting him on. He quickly left the shop, apparently terrified. Somebody, maybe me, shouted after him, “Welcome to Texas!”
If I were sentenced to live in Massachusetts for some reason, I’d be extremely careful about buying a gun, too.
No. You don not ever declare gun ownership until it is time to declare a loss.
Stop it! Stop being a weenie.