Insurers Refusing Coverage For Lithium Battery Events regarding Storage

[MobileJoy]

I received the following from my storage facility today:

Dear Tenants,

We hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the holiday season!! We are writing to let you know that we will be adding a line item to the lease regarding Lithium batteries and storage as many insurance companies are starting to NOT cover damage due to fires caused by lithium batteries.

Per the previous, the following verbiage is being added to all current leases:

 

"From hence forth, lithium batteries are strictly prohibitid from storage and or charging without express written consent from Landlord. Tenant will be liable for any damages resulting from charging any type of batteries"

 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call.

 

I haven't yet called.

Has anyone received such a notification or have any info regarding this?

[topgun2]

Its a shame that they seem to be lumping all Lithium batteries into the same bin - some have a much lower risk of fire as compared to others.

And, they basically are now not allowing the charging of any type of battery.

Thank goodness that lithium batteries have such a low self discharge rate as compared to lead acid batteries.

Bill

p.s.  I've received nothing similar from my storage facility.  However, none of the storage spaces or units have electricity available in the space or unit.  Therefore, the only way a renter could charge batteries while there would be via solar or generator.

[rich.dev]

6 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

 

Its a shame that they seem to be lumping all Lithium batteries into the same bin - some have a much lower risk of fire as compared to others.

 

Exactly, shows you how miserably uninformed some of these insurance companies are! 

@MobileJoy not sure it will make a difference but send this to your storage facility……

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have different characteristics that make them suitable for different applications:

• Chemical symbol: The chemical symbol for Li-ion batteries is LiCoO2, while the chemical symbol for LiFePO4 batteries is LiFePO4

• Temperature range: LiFePO4 batteries can operate in a wider temperature range than Li-ion batteries. 

• Safety: LiFePO4 batteries are safer than Li-ion batteries because they are more thermally and chemically stable.  

• Environmental impact: LiFePO4 batteries are more environmentally friendly than Li-ion batteries because they are more recyclable. 

• Chemical composition: Li-ion batteries contain cobalt and other toxic chemicals, while LiFePO4 batteries only contain iron.

[John Dorrer]

That would be my biggest nightmare. Storage is 1 hour away. We plug in. We have an HOH and can't store at home. 

Our storage place is an old manufacturing facility converted to an RV and boat storage facility.

 

Guess we will just hope this doesn't become a blanket thing across the insurance industry.

 

 

[SeaDawg]

Some condos in Florida no longer allow eves in parking areas, because of the fire risk if submerged in saltwater.

Most lifepo4 batteries  are light enough to remove. And take home, if necessary  .

Interestingly, many new boats in Florida  (which live in saltwater) are equipped with lithium batteries,  but waterproof... like ours.

[Patriot]

Part of the challenge is many fire departments are not equipped or lack specialized training to deal with the hazmat of lithium super hot battery fires. 🔥 
It also poses a great question, will EV owners eventually pay a higher insurance premium to park and charge their cars and trucks or in this case an RV in their home garage or on their property? Insurance companies are always looking for a reason or excuse to raise rates. If I were a betting man I say the carriers will raise their rates. Oh those unintended and consequences. 😏
 

Interesting times.

 

 

Open Source info…

Yes, lithium battery fires are very difficult to extinguish and require specialized tools: 

 

• Thermal runaway: Lithium batteries can overheat and cause other cells to overheat, which can lead to repeated flare-ups. 
   
• Reactive materials: Lithium batteries contain reactive materials that make traditional extinguishers ineffective. 
   
• High temperatures: Lithium batteries burn hotter and faster than other fires. 
   
• Exploding: Lithium batteries can explode, sending sharp metal shards flying. 
   
• Toxic fumes: Lithium batteries emit toxic fumes. 
   

 

 

Edited Thursday at 06:59 AM by Patriot

[SeaDawg]

Not everyone understands the differences in chemistry. Nor the ip ratings. 

It may be up to all of us to educate.

[Geronimo John]

Just another reason to have AND USE a high quality made in the USA master cutoff switch on your RV when stored.  Highly recommend BlueSeas 350 amp switch (Model 9003E) as it has a rock solid reputation that most Insurance investigators already know about.  

When stored isolated behind such a high quality switch, our Litho's are  pretty much immune from outside hazards.  Stored isolated, about the only way our LiFePO4's could be associated with a fire is if the facility burns down on top of our magnificent RV's.  By then, everything is totaled and the cause was not our OTT's.

I recommend that the RV Industry Association adopt:

• That all RV battery or battery banks have a quality master switch.  That such switch shall meet or exceed those listed below in the US Made switch. 
• That all RV battery banks also have a fuse that is rated at a capacity less than the wire size being protected.
• That the battery cutoff switch be located in a location where fire fighters would expect it to be.  

With such a switch, the vast majority of our OTT's would easily pass muster of these suggested requirements.  However I would postulate that the vast majority of SOB RV's on the road today do not.   

This is the message that the Insurance Industry, and especially RVIA needs to get smart on.

GJ

 

Edited Saturday at 11:20 PM by Geronimo John