Shotgun insurance begins at home

How do you feel about your guns? For some of us, they are near magical items, a heady mix of engineering and artistry, which make us feel special every time we hold them. Perhaps it is Granddad’s old Purdey, the second-hand Silver Pigeon you received as an 18th birthday present, or the custom-fitted Perazzi you bought as a present to yourself. Or maybe it is just a run-of-the-mill shotgun that has helped you to make some of the best memories of your life. Or maybe you see your guns as mere tools. 

Whichever is true for you, shotguns are often pricey things, and should they break unexpectedly, they can be costly to repair or replace. This is especially true in 2023, when the price of everything is on the rise.

Whether it is a mechanical failure like a firing pin or accidental damage to the stock or the barrels, the best case scenario is that you’re left without a shotgun to take on a day’s shooting. The worst-case scenario could be far more serious, especially if you choose to ignore a problem because you don’t want to spend your shooting budget on getting it back in working order or don’t want to be without a gun while the issue is resolved. 

When it comes to guns with a sentimental value, you don’t want to scrimp or ignore repairs, as it could spell the end for your prized possession. The simple solution is to ensure that your guns are suitably insured, but, as with so much in the field of insurance, there are a few things to be aware of when you’re arranging cover for your shotguns.

Are your shotguns and rifles adequately insured?

“Lots of people will be under the impression that their guns are covered under their home insurance policy,” says Edmund Sword of Lycetts. “However, many people don’t realise that many home insurance policies have ‘single article claim limits’, which set a maximum amount you can claim on your contents insurance for a single item.” 

Typically these limits are between £1,500 and £2,500, so if your gun is worth more than this, or the cost of repair will exceed this limit, you’ll have to cover the difference. “Shotgun owners would be well advised,” adds Edmund, “to check their current home and contents insurance wording to see if there is an inner limit and ensure that it is adequate. If the value of your gun(s) is above that limit you will need to make sure that they are specified separately on your schedule.”

What is the value of your shooting equipment?

Edmund continued: “It is important to remember that for insurance purposes, the value of an item is defined by how much it would cost to replace it with a new like-for-like item, not the value of the item itself.” This means that while your ancient side-by-side may only be worth a few hundred quid at auction, it should be insured for the value of buying a replacement. In the case of some older London Best guns or even modern guns, the risk of under-insuring is very real.

“When insuring your guns, make sure you also factor in the value of the accessories, such your gunslips, ear defenders, rifle scopes and other optics.” Edmund advises. These items should fall within the unspecified personal possessions sum insured, but it is worth being certain.

Of course, the value of your assets can go up as well as down. “Just like with art, jewellery and other valuable items, getting an up-to-date valuation of your guns is the starting point for ensuring that you have adequate cover,” says Edmund. “If you have an old English gun, for example, there is a good chance that it is appreciating in value, a fact which is doubly true if you are fortunate enough to own a pair.”

Replacing or repairing shotguns

According to Edmund, the other thing to be aware of with standard home insurance policies is the level of special provisions included in the policy. “While many policies will often provide cover for replacement and repair, they may not offer cover for the hire of a shotgun while yours is at the gunsmith, or cover things like burst barrels. 

Another potential pitfall to avoid is, well, absent mindedness. “You’d be surprised by how often people acquire a new gun and forget to put that new purchase on their policy. Of course, when they realise their mistake, it is too late,” say Edmund. “One thing to highlight is that some policies have a pair / set clause, which means that if one of your pair of guns is damaged, you’re insured for the loss in value of the other, or the policy will cover the cost of repair to both items, to ensure that they still match.”

Theft or loss of shotguns

Damage to a gun is one thing, but then there is the issue of theft. “Although gun theft is relatively - and mercifully - rare,” says Edmund, “any home insurance policy should protect you against this, but the real key is to ensure that you have the right security in place, something which Lycetts are able to offer advice on. Keep in mind that under many policies, a gun cannot be left unaccompanied in a car as it will not be covered by the policy.”

Edmund went on: “As a rural and sporting insurance broker, we are ever aware of the pitfalls of insuring your guns on standard highstreet household policies, which, in the event of a claim can ofthen  result in disappointment or rather costly bills. Not only do we come across theft claims, or broken stocks and burst barrels, but it is also important to ensure that you have adequate public liability insurance while using a gun. As ever Lycetts are always on hand to offer advice and support on any sporting insurance matters, be that shoot operators’ insurance, public liability or home and gun insurance.”

For more information, contact edmund.sword@lycetts.co.uk or visit Lycetts