Do you have a log burner? Keep an eye on your premiums.

Do you have a log burner in your home? It’s a well known fact that using wood as a heat source can dramatically cut down energy costs. However, what people aren’t prepared for is the price of their home insurance once they get a log burner installed.

What to consider

Home insurers deem log burners more of a safety hazard than other heating systems and could cause insurance to rise by hundreds of pounds. 

If you are thinking of installing a wood stove then It’s important to take into consideration that your premiums are likely to increase once you inform your insurer.

Keep all documentation

It is important that you keep all formal documentation for your log burner. If you have it professionally fitted and can prove that you run regular safety checks, this will go a long way towards keeping the costs down.

Wood stoves that aren’t regularly inspected and maintained are more likely to cause damage that can result in costly insurance claims.

Shop around

Make sure you have a shop around for insurance because not all companies will charge extra for wood burners, even if you live in a listed, historic or thatched property. Although thatched properties are generally the most expensive to insure.Nigel Stevenson, 58, saw the £2,160 insurance bill for his three-bed cottage in Great Mongeham, Kent, jump by £300 when he told his insurer NFU Mutual he had swapped his two open fires for stoves.

Nigel Stevenson, 58, saw the £2,160 insurance bill for his three-bed cottage in Great Mongeham, Kent, jump by £300 when he told his insurer NFU Mutual he had swapped his two open fires for stoves. He then tried to shop around but found most insurers charge a fair bit extra due to the stoves.

He says:‘My two stoves were fitted by qualified engineers, I went to the best I could get and the insurer said it is still £300.

‘What’s safer, an open fire or a closed fire? Of course, NFU couldn’t answer it.’

CLICK HERE to read full story over on the Daily Mail.