Crop Insurers Saw Significant Claims in July

Canadian crop insurance companies had one of the most damaging July hail seasons in history, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA).

In Saskatchewan, the week of July 3-10 was particularly destructive. Rodney Schoettler, Municipal Hail Insurance, said that their company alone had claims on one million acres.

“We have not had a year with a million acres damaged in a week in my 39-year career,” said Schoettler. “I would like to thank our clients for their patience due to the unprecedented volume of claims received in a short time frame.

As crops ripen, any hail or wind storms could lead to more severe losses ahead of harvest. But in some areas, insufficient moisture is more concerning.

“The lack of rainfall in the last month will hinder some crops from reaching maximum production,” said Darryl Tiefenbach, Co-operative Hail Insurance Company. “The stands in almost all areas are really good, but the finishing may be less than anticipated.”

CCHA member companies investigated more than 4,000 claims of crop damage from storms that occurred in July alone.

With harvest starting soon, producers who had losses are encouraged to communicate with their insurance company soon.

“Producers wishing to harvest or salvage crops before the adjuster arrives should contact their insurance provider(s) and confirm they are leaving sufficient representation of the field for the adjuster to inspect,” said Yves Dooper, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.

Companies contributing to this report are Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Municipal Hail Insurance, Palliser Insurance Company Ltd, and Rain and Hail Insurance Services.

ALBERTA

Crops damaged: Barley, Canola, Corn, Fababean, Flax, Lentils, Oats, Peas, Potatoes, Rye, Soybeans, Triticale, Wheat

Communities impacted include: Ardrossan, Barrhead, Bawlf, Beaumont, Belvedere, Bluffton, Bon Accord, Boyle, Breton, Bruce, Cherhill, Clandonald, Colinton, Dewberry, Evansburg, Fabyan, Falher, Fort Saskatchewan, Goodridge, Guy, Gwynne, Heath, High Level, Irma, Joffree, Josephburg, Leduc, Little Smokey, Mallaig, Manola, Mayerthorpe, Morinville, New Brigden, Ohaton, Oyen, Peers, Pickardville, Queenstown, Radway, Redwater, Reno, Rimbey, Rochfort Bridge, Sandy Beach, Sangudo, Sedalia, Sedgewick, St Paul, Sweathouse Creek, Thorsby, Tulliby Lake, Vermilion, Wainwright, Wandering River, Warburg, Waskatenau, Westlock, Wildwood

 MANITOBA

Crops damaged: Barley, Canola, Corn, Lentils, Oats, Peas, Soybean, Soybeans, Wheat

Communities impacted include: Fertile, Hartney, Pierson, Pipestone, Reinland, Reston, Roblin, Schoenwise, Souris, St. Pierre Joly, Tilston

SASKATCHEWAN

Crops damaged: Barley, Canola, Corn, Flax, Lentils, Oats, Peas, Soybeans, Wheat

Communities impacted include: Brandon, Buhannan, Canora, Carievale, Carnduff, Coleville, Consul, Fertile, Kerrobert, Lloydminster, Major, Maple Creek, Melita, Rama, Souris, Wadena, Wainwright

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