It only takes one thing to change everything.
During the summer of 2024, one of our farming clients faced a devastating loss when their combine and drill were destroyed in an unexpected fire.
The fire, caused by a third-party vehicle that ignited while stored in the same shed, occurred just two weeks before the critical harvest season, placing our client in an incredibly challenging situation.
Like many farm fires, it started with something small, but escalated rapidly once machinery, fuel, dust, and buildings became involved.
Acting Quickly When It Matters Most
Upon receiving the claim, our in-house Claims Team promptly notified the client’s insurer and instructed a trusted local agri-engineer, renowned for their knowledgeable and reliable service, to assess and evaluate the damage. Within a couple of days, our team was able to set up a meeting between our team, the agri-engineer, a fire investigator from the insurer, the service manager from an agricultural machinery dealer, and the client. The assessment confirmed that both the combine and drill were a total loss, leaving the client in a dire situation with harvest rapidly approaching.
Thanks to our strong relationship with the agri-engineer, we were able to acquire a quick turnaround on the total loss reports. We collected all the necessary documentation from the client, including V5 forms, original purchase receipts, etc. and sent these to the insurers, whilst also handling the SORN for the client’s damaged combine.
The insurer promptly reviewed the documentation and offered a substantial settlement for the combine and drill, which the client accepted. The insurer then continued to pursue recovery from the third-party responsible for the fire.
Although our client subsequently struggled to find a suitable replacement for their lost combine due to limited availability, they have expressed great appreciation for the support we provided. Through the collaborative efforts of our in-house Claims Team, the local agri-engineer, the agricultural machinery dealer, the insurer and the client, we achieved a full recovery from the third-party insurer for our client’s claim.
This case underscores the importance of teamwork, strong relationships, and ensuring clients have the right cover in place to navigate unforeseen challenges effectively.
When Small Risks Become Major Losses
Harvest season places huge demands on machinery, buildings, and people. Long hours, dry conditions, and continuous machinery use all increase the risk of overheating and fire escalation.
It’s why summer is one of the highest-risk periods for machinery fires on farms. We have created a Harvest Summer Safety Checklist covering some of the key areas farmers should check before and during harvest – Download our Harvest Summer Safety Checklist.
With new combine harvesters costing upwards of £250,000*, even a single incident can have a devastating financial impact on a farming business.
Better Sorted Than Sorry
This case highlights how quickly situations can escalate on farms. It also reinforces the importance of:
- Having the right level of cover in place
- Keeping machinery valuations up to date
- Understanding fire risks during harvest
- Having experienced claims support when something does go wrong
At McClarrons, we understand the importance of peace of mind during challenging times. Our dedicated in-house Claims Team not only manage settlement negotiations for our clients but also provide essential guidance on the immediate steps to take after a loss, ensuring they receive the support they need in the face of unexpected events.
Learn more about our Claims Team here and the range of specialist rural insurance we can arrange here. If you would like more information on the solutions above or a thorough review of your farm insurance, please get in touch with our Farm Insurance Team on 01653 609152 or at farm@mcclarroninsurance.com.
Source:
*What does a combine harvester do? And how does it work? | Countryfile.com
