Farmers Prepare for 2020 Hail Season
Canadian Crop Hail Association member companies are ready to safely help farmers lock in their hail insurance coverage for the 2020 season by following COVID-19 guidelines.
Member companies will follow all government directives and adhere to government social distancing requirements. They will allow only the owner/operator in a vehicle at any time, which means no passengers. They will also use disinfecting solutions to wipe down equipment and contact points, among other safety measures.
“This is an unprecedented time in Canadian agriculture, and we want our customers to know their safety, and the safety of our agents, is our top priority,” said Rick Omelchenko, president of the Canadian Crop Hail Association. “We are ready to help farmers manage the risks of Mother Nature as the storm season approaches with the same great service and expert advice we have provided for years.”
CCHA is expanding this year with the addition of a member in New Brunswick.
“We are pleased to welcome the New Brunswick Agricultural Insurance Commission to CCHA and excited about expanding our partnership in the east,” Omelchenko said. “This growth will increase industry participation and, in turn, provide more value to our customers.”
Last year, Canadian Crop Hail Association member companies covered more than $6.5 billion in crops. Companies paid $242 million on 16,200 claims.
Overall, Saskatchewan was hit hardest last year with an industry loss ratio of 95 percent compared to 66 percent in 2018. Alberta followed with a 90 percent loss ratio compared to 42.5 percent. Manitoba had an 85 percent loss ratio compared to 81.5 percent in 2018. The industrywide loss ratio was 92 percent in 2019 compared to 63.5 percent in 2018.
“The 2019 harvest was a challenge. We had damaging storms, cool wet weather and early snow that meant not all farmers were able to complete harvest,” Omelchenko said. “Conditions vary across Canada every season. Farmers should closely consider their hail coverage levels as we enter the storm season.”
CCHA recommends that producers have hail coverage in place early in the season. Producers may not be able to purchase hail coverage after crops are damaged by a storm, which means they would carry the full risk for the remainder of the year.
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The Canadian Crop Hail Association (CCHA) has been serving the crop insurance industry since 1915. It is a member-driven organization that represents the interests of the Canadian Crop Hail managing general agencies and insurance companies. These private and government organizations together provide a risk management tool to the farmers across Canada. Members are Additional Municipal Hail Ltd. (Saskatchewan), Ag Direct Hail Insurance Ltd, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (Alberta), Canadian Hail Agencies Inc, Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation Rain and Hail Insurance Service Ltd., New Brunswick Agricultural Insurance Commission and Palliser Insurance Company Ltd.