Fire caused by a reef tank - how does the insurance company feel about that?

jlinzmaier · 04/11/2009, 09:26 AM

I think we've all had many close calls with a possible fire or other significant electrical complications caused by our fish tanks. Incidents like overflows, salt creep into a power strip, etc... have happened to all of us. In my reef club there was a fire in a persons house which originated from their reef tank. Out of curiosity (and a bit of fear) just wondering how an insurace company handles those types of situations. Would they cover the damages if there wasn't obvious intent by the owner to cause the fire yet the fire originated from a tangled mess of cords and wires leading to a huge tank of water (just like many of us have)?

Jeremy

xJake · 04/11/2009, 09:38 AM

The best thing to do is call your insurance agent and check. It's the only way to know for sure. Policies vary from company to company and even from customer to customer, so asking on here won't do you a bit of good.

IIRC, many companies require an additional fee to cover aquariums and any subsequent damage. For some reason they just don't think the idea of having a giant glass box of water, surrounded by electrical devices, sitting in your house is a very low-risk item.

MileHighFish · 04/11/2009, 09:45 AM

For me I would kick up my maintenance to avoid the issue, you should never have salt creep on power strips etc. I think the old rule of thumb applies, Keep It Simple, avoid any possible issues and routinely inspect equipment. Like mentioned above I would contact your adjuster for specific details.

ALH · 04/11/2009, 09:53 AM

Finally, something I know a lot about! My 180 gallon fish tank caught fire 12 years ago. I was feeding my two young daughters when I noticed a weird smell. As I was investigating the smell, my tank erupted into flames. My new power compact lights had shorted. The tank was a loss, as was a portion of one wall. Fish were fine, though

Anyway, the fire department report stated the lighting caused the fire. The insurance company paid for fire restoration, repair of the wall, loss of aquarium and the repainting of my entire house. Then the insurance company recovered their losses (and probably then some) from the lighting company. It took over ten years for me to decide to get back into the hobby.

Anemonebuff · 04/11/2009, 10:23 AM

My insurance, like many others, covers any damages caused by an appliance but not the appliance that caused the damage. My refrigerator water line dislodged and poured water for hours from my 2nd floor to my basement. When it was over they paid for everything but damage to the refridgerator, even my freshwater planted tank. Now if there were a fire they would cover the damage to everything but what caused it, possibly calling the tank a part of the appliance, but I doubt it.

Usually they will ask for the manufacturer of the appliance and sue them for a defective product.

jlinzmaier · 04/11/2009, 11:08 AM

>

jlinzmaier · 04/11/2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by xJake
The best thing to do is call your insurance agent and check. It's the only way to know for sure. Policies vary from company to company and even from customer to customer, so asking on here won't do you a bit of good.

IIRC, many companies require an additional fee to cover aquariums and any subsequent damage. For some reason they just don't think the idea of having a giant glass box of water, surrounded by electrical devices, sitting in your house is a very low-risk item.

Yes I agree. I was just looking for past experiences anyone has had.

Quote:

Originally posted by MileHighFish
For me I would kick up my maintenance to avoid the issue, you should never have salt creep on power strips etc. I think the old rule of thumb applies, Keep It Simple, avoid any possible issues and routinely inspect equipment. Like mentioned above I would contact your adjuster for specific details.

Yes absolutely. I'm very careful with my tank and the related electrical appliances. I was referring to when I first started reefing and didn't know all the possibilities of what could go wrong. Oh the good old days!! As I lived through all those little experiences I've learned a lot. I think my current set up is pretty darn safe, but the unexpected always seems to come around and slap you in the face every now and then.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Jeremy

Nazrac · 04/11/2009, 02:10 PM

I asked the insurance companies if they would cover my aquarium before I picked up a policy and if it would raise my rates. Most said yes and no extra fees. They just wanted records of it. Now the company I chose was the one geico uses (they dont actually do the underwriting on homeowners) and they went as far as to say that if my tank were to rupture spilling out the water they would pay for everything including livestock. Just ask and you should be well informed. Of course I didnt mention it was all DIY but I was an electrician and have over protected against shorts and what have you.

04/11/2009, 09:26 AM	#1
jlinzmaier Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Edgar Wisconsin Posts: 2,094	Fire caused by a reef tank - how does the insurance company feel about that? I think we've all had many close calls with a possible fire or other significant electrical complications caused by our fish tanks. Incidents like overflows, salt creep into a power strip, etc... have happened to all of us. In my reef club there was a fire in a persons house which originated from their reef tank. Out of curiosity (and a bit of fear) just wondering how an insurace company handles those types of situations. Would they cover the damages if there wasn't obvious intent by the owner to cause the fire yet the fire originated from a tangled mess of cords and wires leading to a huge tank of water (just like many of us have)? Jeremy

04/11/2009, 09:45 AM	#3
MileHighFish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NM. Posts: 1,722	For me I would kick up my maintenance to avoid the issue, you should never have salt creep on power strips etc. I think the old rule of thumb applies, Keep It Simple, avoid any possible issues and routinely inspect equipment. Like mentioned above I would contact your adjuster for specific details. __________________ See "Red House" for pics!! I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin', and hook up with them later. Mitch Hedberg Current Tank Info: Reef tank, 100 gal Lee Mar polished.. 60 sump.. 800 watts mh 20k radium..Ran on "Taiwan HQI Ballast" 330 watt VHO.. 48 watt compacts (dawn/dusk).. sps/lps tank..

04/11/2009, 11:08 AM	#6
jlinzmaier Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Edgar Wisconsin Posts: 2,094	> Last edited by jlinzmaier; 04/11/2009 at 11:44 AM.

04/11/2009, 09:38 AM	#2
xJake Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,385	The best thing to do is call your insurance agent and check. It's the only way to know for sure. Policies vary from company to company and even from customer to customer, so asking on here won't do you a bit of good. IIRC, many companies require an additional fee to cover aquariums and any subsequent damage. For some reason they just don't think the idea of having a giant glass box of water, surrounded by electrical devices, sitting in your house is a very low-risk item.

04/11/2009, 09:53 AM	#4
ALH Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Yuma AZ Posts: 550	Finally, something I know a lot about! My 180 gallon fish tank caught fire 12 years ago. I was feeding my two young daughters when I noticed a weird smell. As I was investigating the smell, my tank erupted into flames. My new power compact lights had shorted. The tank was a loss, as was a portion of one wall. Fish were fine, though Anyway, the fire department report stated the lighting caused the fire. The insurance company paid for fire restoration, repair of the wall, loss of aquarium and the repainting of my entire house. Then the insurance company recovered their losses (and probably then some) from the lighting company. It took over ten years for me to decide to get back into the hobby.

04/11/2009, 10:23 AM	#5
Anemonebuff Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: LI,NY Posts: 3,877	My insurance, like many others, covers any damages caused by an appliance but not the appliance that caused the damage. My refrigerator water line dislodged and poured water for hours from my 2nd floor to my basement. When it was over they paid for everything but damage to the refridgerator, even my freshwater planted tank. Now if there were a fire they would cover the damage to everything but what caused it, possibly calling the tank a part of the appliance, but I doubt it. Usually they will ask for the manufacturer of the appliance and sue them for a defective product.

04/11/2009, 02:10 PM	#8
Nazrac Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Dallas Area Posts: 111	I asked the insurance companies if they would cover my aquarium before I picked up a policy and if it would raise my rates. Most said yes and no extra fees. They just wanted records of it. Now the company I chose was the one geico uses (they dont actually do the underwriting on homeowners) and they went as far as to say that if my tank were to rupture spilling out the water they would pay for everything including livestock. Just ask and you should be well informed. Of course I didnt mention it was all DIY but I was an electrician and have over protected against shorts and what have you.