What is the Gun Insurance program?
What's covered?
What are the exclusions to the All Risk coverage?
Who runs this insurance program for the Associations that endorse it?
Who is eligible to buy this insurance?
What does the policy cover?
What items can I insure?
How do I determine the insurable value of my items?
What if I don't know the value of my guns?
Do I need appraisals, photos or bills of sale?
How much information do I need to put on the application?
What happens to my firearms information such as models and serial numbers?
How is the premium calculated and how do I pay?
What if I submitted my application without values?
What other information is needed?
When is my insurance effective?
What if I am travelling with my firearms very soon?
How long does it take to process my application?
My previous policy expired. How do I reactivate it?
After my insurance application is approved, what will I receive?
What if I want to make a change to my policy?
What if I purchase a new gun or other item?
What about renewals?
How are claims handled?
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/SASP 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.
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 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, SCI or SCTP / SASP
(member number required) and must be a resident of the United States or
Canada (although citizenship is not required.)
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.
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.
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, we use the current market value or you
can use any value that you choose provided that it does not exceed the current market value. 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 current market 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 25+ 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 insurance commission 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.
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.
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.