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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