ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 15 SUSTAINABILITY you’re doing — all of your operations. The moment you don’t tell us about something, chances are that’s the thing you’re sued over.” ROLL THE DICE Communication with an insurance agent or broker is elementary to Dawn Tuplin, as well. As a farm and commercial agent with Westminster Mutual Insurance Company in Belmont, Ont., she understands the farmer’s position in terms of time stress and the distractions that come with the job. However, she’s equally emphatic about the process of determining coverage under all forms of insurance, including liability. “Farming is farming, but there are so many different types,” she says, acknowledging the ways the industry has evolved recently, which is why she favours indepth assessments. “I really prefer a oneon-one conversation. Doing what I do, the most important thing is to have a full understanding of a farm operation so I can provide the right coverage solutions and point out gaps that exist. But it’s important that a farmer understands their obligations regarding the business they operate.” Tuplin echoes Mackenzie Bell’s reference to farmers being more likely to accept greater risk in managing their operations. She believes farmers are a special type of person: once they make up their minds, it’s difficult to convince them to do otherwise. More than the time consumed in walking through the complexity of a farm operation or the extent of coverage needed, there’s also the risk-taking that comes with the job of farming. Some farmers will drive their combines down the road with the corn header attached or attempt to dig a hole in a field without calling for a locate. Those are defended as “necessary risks to save time,” but they’re also an invitation to serious hardship if things go wrong. “There are farmers who are very aware of their exposures and take a lot of steps to mitigate their risk, and others who maybe aren’t as aware or interested in mitigating that risk,” adds Tuplin. “It’s what farming is — you have to be a bit of a professional gambler to be a farmer, but you also have to be a bit of a professional gambler to be an underwriter and decide on pricing for these risks.” Her recommendation begins with a base amount, regardless of the size or complexity of the farm, with coverage extensions or added premiums to account for specific operations taking place on that farm. Driving tractors down the road is covered under their liability wording, but insurers will generally charge additional premiums based on the number of tractors or combines, or the distance between locations. “We add extensions here that specifically list the exposure we’re charging for,” says Tuplin. Liability wording is not the same among all insurers. Just as farms vary in operation, so do insurance companies. “Not all insurers will do that — they may charge more premium. Some exposures are not included in the liability wording, and additional coverage may be needed. I don’t sell farm policies without liability, and there’s always room for improvement.” Farmers are operating in an incredibly volatile space, and the only way to manage expectations is to have a strong relationship with a broker or agent. They need to spend time making sure they have the coverage they need. • “There are so many different exposures farmers can face. - Meghan Mackenzie Bell, NFP
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