Weather in the UK during 2007 has been a
constant topic of debate amongst the agricultural community and the
only thing that seems certain now is that we can expect more of the
same over the coming years.
In particular the recent heavy rains have
forced farmers to take drastic action in affected areas of the
country such as moving livestock to higher ground and, in view of
the waterlogged ground, moving some herds into buildings and
introducing winter rations. Thankfully, most farmhouses and
buildings are built in a position to avoid flooding but heavy
downpours will have seen storm water entering rural property,
causing damage to the structure, floor coverings and household
goods.
Extreme weather conditions is just one extra
pressure for today’s farmer. Duncan Short, Farm Insurance
Development Manager at Towergate Lloyd and Whyte, part of Europe’s
largest independent insurance intermediary, offers farmers the
following advice on what to do to make sure they are covered should
severe weather hit their properties:
Farmers do not normally have the benefit of
storm or flood cover in respect of livestock and the same applies
to grain and crops in store unless the buildings are specially
constructed. In the recent floods even small bridges have
been washed away and it is not standard practice for insurers to
include cover without a specific extension in the policy
wording.
Grain and other arable crops can be insured
against hail damage but there is a seven day deferred period so
cover cannot be taken out based on today’s weather forecast for
tomorrow. Small things can be done, to minimise the
impact:
- Check your household buildings and contents policy to make sure
it covers against flood damage. Landlords normally have the
responsibility to provide cover for their carpets and any other
contents which are not the property of the tenant, but it is worth
checking your tenancy agreement to clarify this point
- Keep an inventory of what you have. If possible take
photos of valuable items and keep receipts
- Following the storm, take video footage and/or photographs of
damage caused by the flooding
- Make contact with your insurance broker as soon as possible to
get the claim process moving and reduce the possibility of the
damage getting worse
- Take advice from the emergency services before returning to the
flooded premises. Try to salvage any belongings to prevent
further loss but without putting yourself at any personal
risk. Mr Short said “If a home is uninhabitable because of
flooding the household insurance policy should cover the cost of
alternative, reasonable accommodation”. For a tenanted
property, cover for household contents will extend to include cost
of alternative accommodation if the worst should occur
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