Barndominiums and Wood Stoves: What We Look for and What to Avoid

As barndominiums grow in popularity and wood stoves remain a staple heating source in rural homes, we’re seeing more of both on our farm insurance submissions. These features can be perfectly acceptable — but they come with specific risks that

we need to underwrite carefully.

This entry will outline some of what we like to see, what raises red flags, and how you, the agents, can help ensure a smooth review process for risks involving barndominiums and wood stoves.

BARNDOMINUIMS

Barndominiums, or “barndos,” blend residential living space with barn style structures—sometimes even housing equipment, animals, or workshops under the same roof. They’re affordable and practical for rural living, but they don’t always meet standard residential construction or code expectations.

Encourage your clients to submit interior and exterior photos, floor plans if available, and any documentation that helps clarify how the space is used and how it’s divided.

WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE	WHAT RAISES CONCERNS
✓ Professionally constructed or contractor-built barndominiums.	x DIY or partially finished construction.
✓ Clear separation between the living space and the barn, shop, or storage areas—ideally with fire-rated walls and closed-off access.	x Shared space between the home and shop or barn without solid separation.
✓ Residential-quality finishes: proper insulation, drywall, flooring, finished ceilings.	x Incomplete interiors (e.g., exposed insulation, open ceilings, bare studs).
✓ Photos that clearly distinguish living quarters from work or storage areas.	x Mixed uses (e.g., storing flammable chemicals, auto repairs, housing animals) adjacent to living space.
✓ Confirmed residential utility setup—plumbing, electric, and heating up to code.	x No evidence of building permits or inspections where required.

WOOD STOVES

Wood stoves are a common feature on farms—for heating homes, workshops, and even outbuildings. While they’re acceptable in many cases, they’re also a leading cause of rural residential fires. We focus on proper installation, usage, and maintenance. If your client has a wood stove, help us by gathering:

• Photos of the stove, chimney, hearth, and nearby areas.

• Who installed it and when.

• Whether it’s primary or supplemental heat.

• Whether they’ve had it inspected or cleaned recently.

WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE	WHAT RAISES CONCERNS
✓ Professionally installed wood stoves with proper hearth and floor protection	x Wood stove as the sole heat source with no reliable backup system.
✓ UL-listed appliances with clearly maintained clearance from combustibles.	x DIY installations without proper venting or insufficient clearance.
✓ Proper chimney venting — preferably metal or masonry flues, not single-wall piping.	x Use of wood stoves in garages or barns surrounded by flammables (gas cans, hay, paint, etc.).
✓ Wood stoves used as a supplemental heat source with a reliable primary heating system (e.g., propane, electric, oil).	x Shared flues with other appliances or venting into unsafe or non-compliant chimneys.
✓ Annual chimney cleanings or inspections—especially if the stove is used regularly.	x Excessive creosote buildup or signs of neglect.

WHEN THE TWO COMBINE

We occasionally see wood stoves inside barndominiums—and while this doesn’t automatically disqualify a risk, it raises the stakes. We’re even more cautious when the wood stove is located near barn sections or surrounded by open space

and storage. In those cases, proper separation, good housekeeping, and

quality construction matter even more.

HOW AGENTS CAN HELP

Getting ahead of these underwriting challenges is key. When you spot a barndominium or a wood stove on the risk, let us know early and help the insured gather:

• Photos (inside and out)

• Details about usage (who lives there, what’s stored or housed, etc.)

• Installation or inspection info

• Floor plans or diagrams, if available

We want to say “yes” whenever possible—but only when we know the structure and its features are safe and well-maintained. With your help, we can write more of these unique rural homes while protecting both our book and your clients property.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Farm Underwriter with your next risk!