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News Brief

Nov. 11, 2019 |  By: Simon Clark

Missouri Insurance Information Service says wood burning heaters have higher risk of insurance premiums

With the fast approaching winter season just ahead, heat production has become increasingly important.

General Council and Government Affairs Director for the Missouri Insurance Coalition, Stephen Witte, says that wood burning heaters have a higher risk for insurance premiums.

"Last night it turned pretty cold; it's probably one of the first coldest days of the year so far, and like everything else, after a year of not turning the heat on, or at least six months or so, there's a lot of things you have to look at with respect to burning wood in your fireplace or whatever device you're using it.  It all relates to insurance because preventative care will help prevent risk and without risk, our insurance premiums will help stay stable."

Witte says there are several common sense tips for those who use wood heating regularly.

"They're mostly common sense.  They are such things such as never burn charcoal in a fireplace.  Make sure you inspect your fireplace, chimney regularly.  I mean clean your flu.  I remember growing up we had a fireplace and we had someone come look at our fireplace once a year about this time a year, maybe October/November, because we knew we were going to be using it and you never know what's in there."

The Missouri Insurance Information Service also asks to install and/or check on your smoke detectors.