Can anyone suggest where to look for boiler insurance. Our former carrier (Hartford) will no longer insure loco type boilers. Thanks for your help.

Rick

enginman@gis.net

> Can anyone suggest where to look for boiler
> insurance. Our former carrier (Hartford)
> will no longer insure loco type boilers.
> Thanks for your help.

> Rick

Yes, the other week while talking with Mike Dibble of Railroad & Trolley Specialty Insurance he varified to me that Hartford was no longer insuring locomotive type boilers. You might contact him and find out what he thinks about alternatives.

Several years ago I recall hearing the CMO of a major steam tourist railroad say that they did not have boiler insurance. They did not feel it important to insure the locomotive boilers. They had their regular liablity insurance to cover any damage claims that might result from a boiler incident. In the sense they were "going bare" in regard to boiler loss feeling that the other inspections and regualtions would keep their boilers safe.

That may be the way that all of us have to go.

Brian Norden

Railroad and Trolley Insurance
bnorden49@earthlink.net

Boiler insurance (ala The Big "H") in its most basic form only pays to "repair or replace" the boiler if, during operation, it is damaged beyond use or catastrophically fails.

Insurance does not pay for corrosion damage.

It does not pay for DEAD BODIES.

Additional "business interruption" riders can be bought to cover lost income until the boiler is repaired or replaced. The cost for "business interruption" is usually only justified for 24 hr/day factory/utility operations.

Unless you are planning to low-water your locomotive or just run it until it blows itself up, your insurance premiums are better spent on proper water treatment and calling the state inspectors in for the annual permit.