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GUN INSURANCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Gun Insurance program?
This insurance is very similar to a personal articles floater that you can add to your homeowner's insurance policy. However, this program is designed especially for the members of ATA, NSSA/NSCA, SCI, SCTP/SPP as a separate, annual policy that has several advantages: worldwide coverage, all risk coverage, no waiting period, no deductible, primary insurance, full replacement value coverage (for items currently being made), and below market rates. And, the agency, Sportsman's Insurance Agency (SIAI), works exclusively with firearm and gun club insurance, so you can be assured that they will be able to help you with your questions.
What's covered?
With this gun insurance program, your scheduled items are covered while they are stored at your home, in your locked automobile, as checked luggage on an airline, at your gun club, while you are hunting and while you are shooting. The coverage is quite broad, hence the description "all risk" coverage, meaning all risks are covered except those that are specifically excluded by the policy.
What are the exclusions to the All Risk coverage?
The primary risks excluded from coverage are: theft from an unlocked automobile, theft or damage while at a gunsmith or the factory, while on loan to a non-family member, latent material defects, normal wear-and-tear, bursting or bulging of a barrel, and loss resulting from war, insurrection or confiscation by a governmental authority.
Who runs this insurance program for the Associations that endorse it?
The endorsing associations have arranged for Sportsman's Insurance Agency of Ormond Beach, Florida, to be the agent for their member insurance programs. Sportsman's specializes in insurance for gun owners and gun clubs and they have been administering this program since 1991. The founder of Sportsman's, Hollis Boss, is a former President of the NSSA and the employees of Sportsman's are well acquainted with the types of firearms and accessories that are used by the association members. This program is underwritten by T.H.E. Insurance of Treasure Island, Florida, an A.M. Best"A-" rated company.
Who is eligible to buy this insurance?
Applicants must be a member of the ATA, NSSA/ NSCA, or SCI (member number required) and must be a resident of the United States or Canada (although citizenship is not required.)
What does the policy cover?
This is scheduled insurance so the policy covers only those items that are listed on your schedule of insured articles. This means that you must list each item that you want insured and include its value in your premium calculation. There is no coverage for items not listed nor is there any coverage for any item that does not have a value listed.
What items can I insure?
Insurance is available for all types of firearms including custom guns and for additional gunsmithing, custom work, optics, cases, extra items and accessories. Examples include extra barrels, stocks and triggers, chokes, sub gauge choke tubes, custom engraving, aftermarket stocks and grips, adjustable combs, recoil devices, porting, forcing cones, scope mounts, and so forth. We also can insure optics such as rifle scopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars.
What items are not insurable?
While we can insure almost any standard firearm, we cannot insure full automatic firearms, noise suppressors, shooting glasses, hearing protection, cameras, or jewelry.
How are insurable values established for my firearms, custom work and accessories?
For items still being manufactured, we use the MSRP – the manufacturer's suggested retail price. For other firearms, we use the value that you place on the firearm, up to the 95% condition value in the Blue Book of Gun Values. We also can accept appraisals, recent bills of sale, and references from retail web sites such as Gun Broker, etc. For other items no longer being made, such as out-of-production scopes, we use current market value. We value custom work at the cost you paid or at the current retail value as established by the gunsmith or tradesman.
How do I determine the insurable value of my items?
For items still being manufactured, the underwriter uses the MSRP – the manufacturer's suggested retail price. This provides full replacement value coverage, i.e. if an item is stolen, it will be replaced with a new item. For items that are not longer being made, you can use any value that you choose provided that it does not exceed the 95% condition value in the Blue Book of Gun Values. In addition, we can accept recent appraisals and also bills of sale for custom items. If necessary, the underwriter will adjust the values on applications to correspond to current MSRP or the 95% condition value.
What if I don't know the value of my guns?
The staff at Sportsman's Insurance Agency can help you with gun values, as well as answer your other questions. You can call them at 800 925-7767 before you submit your application or you can submit it with estimated values and they will adjust them for you.
Do I need appraisals, photos or bills of sale?
Generally, these are not required. However, the underwriter will require a recent appraisal or bill of sale for true custom firearms and very high value firearms. Call Sportsman's Insurance Agency at 800 925-7767 and they can help you determine if any of these are needed.
How much information do I need to put on the application?
At the minimum, you must list the manufacturer, model, sub-model, gauge or caliber, and serial number for firearms. For high volume firearms such as the Remington 1100 or 700, it is very important to include the sub-model name and any identifying characteristics such as synthetic stock, chokes, engraving, checkering, barrel finish, rib configuration, etc. For high value and true custom firearms, you should include the grade and any upgrades such as exhibition grade wood, case coloring, gold inlays, special engraving, etc.
What happens to my firearms information such as models and serial numbers?
This information is kept in your file by the insurer. File information is not shared with anyone outside the insurer's office and is not accessible via any outside electronic device. In theory it is possible for a law enforcement agency or court of law to subpoena this information, but this never occurred in the 20+ years that this program has been offered.
How is the premium calculated and how do I pay?
Your annual premium is based on the total insurable value of your scheduled items. The cost is $1.25 per $100 of insured value with a minimum annual premium of $25. To calculate your premium, multiply the total value by .0125 and round to the nearest dollar. The underwriter will review your values and may make adjustments. You can pay by personal check or credit card. Any overpayment by check will be refunded or you will be invoiced for any additional premium. Sportsman's will contact you if there is a material difference between the annual premium that you calculate and the amount being charged to you.
What if I submitted my application without values?
If you did not include an estimate of prices and values, Sportsman's will calculate the values and charge the premium to your credit card. If you request it, they can contact you with the values and premium before completing the transaction.
What other information is needed?
You must include your home or office address, daytime and home phone numbers, plus fax number and email address if available. Also, you must answer the few questions on the application and then sign it.
When is my insurance effective?
Your insurance is effective at 12:01 am the day following the day that you submit your application by mail, fax, email, or online – provided that your application is complete (including payment) and all necessary information is included. Alternatively, we can make your coverage effective on any later date that you specify in your application. Remember that this is an annual policy that provides a full 12 months of coverage.
What if I am travelling with my firearms very soon?
Please submit your application at least two days before your scheduled departure (not including weekends and holiday) and make sure that we have a phone number and/or an email address where you can be reached. If there is a question regarding your application and you are not available or cannot be reached, your application will not be processed.
How long does it take to process my application?
Normally, applications are process within three business days.
My previous policy expired. How do I reactivate it?
If your policy expired, the underwriter requires that you submit a new application. If you still have a copy of your schedule of insured articles, you can submit that with the completed front page of the application, meaning that you do not have to copy your firearms schedule information onto a new form. Remember that values change, so the underwriters may make adjustments to the values on your previous schedule of insured articles. If you need a copy of your previous schedule, please contact us and we will provide you with it.
After my insurance application is approved, what will I receive?
After your application is processed and approved, you will receive a Certificate of Insurance, a copy of the Master Policy, and a copy of your Schedule of Insured Articles. Also included in the package are the forms for change of address and to add or delete items on your coverage.
What if I want to make a change to my policy?
Changes must be made in writing and submitted by mail, fax, email, or by using the online Change Form. A Change Form is included with your policy and Certificate of Insurance. Or, you can just submit your change information in any written form provided that it includes your name, address and full details of the changes that you are requesting. Changes are effective the day following the day that you submit them to Sportsman's. Premium adjustments are made on a pro rata basis and Sportsman's will refund any overpayments or invoice any additional premium.
What if I purchase a new gun or other item?
New purchases are covered for 30 days up to 10% of your total policy value. However, we recommend that you submit a Change Form immediately to assure that your new firearm or accessory is fully covered.
What about renewals?
This is an annual policy and Sportsman's will mail you a renewal notice approximately 30 days before the date that your Certificate expires. At that time, you will have the option to renew your policy with the revised insurable values as shown on your updated Schedule, or you may add and delete items. After you receive your renewal notice, you can renew by mail or online.
How are claims handled?
Sportsman's Insurance Agency will handle your claims on behalf of the carrier. You should contact Sportsman's at 800 925-7767 immediately when you suspect a loss. They will provide you with a claim form and instructions. Claims are handled by the same staff that issues your coverage, assuring that you will be treated professionally and that your claim will be processed quickly.