’This is a matter of protecting human and animal lives, as well as the cost of replacing damaged machinery,’ says specialist
NFU Mutual has revealed that it is offering temporary increased discounts on agricultural vehicle insurance premiums for farmers.
The discount of up to 25% will kick in if farmers fit approved fire suppression systems from June to September.
This detects the first signs of a fire and releases a suppressant that extinguishes the blaze, reducing risk to operators and the surrounding areas.
The insurer is also calling for legislation that requires manufacturers to install fire suppression systems as standard on agricultural vehicles.
Hannah Binns, NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist, said: “Combine fires can quickly spread through growing crops to engulf neighbouring fields and properties.
“So, this is a matter of protecting human and animal lives, as well as the cost of replacing damaged machinery.
“Fires can spread at frightening speeds and modern combines are such large complex machines that one component overheating or wiring short-circuiting can lead to a huge fire.”
Warning
NFU Mutual is making the move after more than 90% of harvester fire claims were reported to the insurer in July and August in 2022 and 2023.
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In June 2024, the UK declared a heatwave and the Fire Brigades Union called for more support amid concerns that a dry spell could spark a range of grass and agriculture fires.
”The risk of fire spreading is much higher in hot dry summers - but fires also break out and destroy expensive combines in cooler, damper weather,” Binns said.
Stuart Torrance, who leads the claims team at Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokers, added that the UK’s agricultural sector was facing a growing challenge from extreme weather events.
“We’re seeing an increased awareness of the potential risks associated, with factors such as prolonged spells of dry, hot weather,” he said.
“Many farmers are having to adapt the way they work to avoid the dangers which come with heat waves, such as harvesting later in the day when temperatures have cooled to reduce the risk of machinery or crops catching fire, to bringing livestock indoors and keeping them in well-ventilated sheds to protect them from the heat.
”This not only puts extra strain on farmers and their workers themselves, but leads to a demand on additional feed and bedding supplies not previously required.
”Farmers may also need to look at their water management more closely and adopt additional rainwater harvesting and irrigation efficiency improvements to conserve water during droughts to ensure they have sufficient water for their livestock and crops.”
He added: ”Having adequate insurance in place is vital and we make it a priority to ensure that any changes to businesses, such as new machinery, buildings or produce and deadstock, are reflected in their insurance policies.”
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