Insurance companies remain on schedule in assessing hail damage

Insurance companies continue to urge growers to leave adequate samples of damaged crops as they assess hailstorm damage across Western Canada, according to the Canadian Crop Hail Association.

The storms occurred July 25-31.

CCHA member companies are investigating more than 1,200 claims of crop damage during the time period.

Companies contributing to this report are Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, Additional Municipal Hail Insurance, Co-operative Hail Insurance Company, Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, Palliser Insurance Company.

CCHA President Scott McQueen, of Palliser Insurance, said mid-to-late July brought more intense storms producing heavy damage in Saskatchewan and Alberta. July 31 produced the bulk of the claims for his company with damage raging from light to heavy.

“Companies are still on time when it comes to assessing damage,” he said. “If you are harvesting your crops, please leave adequate samples for your adjuster. If you are not sure what to leave, give your insurance provider a call and they will help you out.”

Darryl Tiefenbach, of Additional Municipal Hail Insurance, also said the west-central border between Saskatchewan and Alberta appears to have been hit the hardest.

“We will expect to see some very severe hailstorm damage to all crop types,” he said. “This storm travelled in a northwest to southeast path with the core of the storm through Kindersley, Eston and Glidden.”

Here’s a look at storm damage across the region.

 Alberta

Crops damaged: Barley, canola, corn, faba beans, lentils, oats, onions, peas, potatoes, rutabaga, rye, triticale, wheat.

 Communities impacted include: Cremona, Munson, Sundre, Condor, Leslieville, Blackfalds, Wetaskiwin, Millet, Riley, Holden, Daysland, Rosalind, Heisler, Forestburg, Alliance, Castor, Coronation, Veteran, Brownfield, Hughenden, Edgerton, Chauvin, McLaughlin, Paradise Valley, Fort Saskatchewan, Worsley, Hines Creek, Fairview, Bluesky, Eaglesham, Girouxville, Guy, Grande Prairie

Saskatchewan

Crops damaged: Cereals, oilseeds and pulses

Communities impacted include: White Fox, Luseland, Viceroy, Bengough, Canora, Kamsack, Senlac, Macklin, Marengo, Eatonia, Kindersley, Glidden, Eston, Milden, Beechy, Rush Lake, Hodgeville, Mortlach, Chaplin, Goodeve, Lampman, Swift Current, Eston, Herbert, Kindersley, Kyle, Morse, Rickglen, Rosetown, Tramping Lake, Waldeck

Manitoba

Crops damaged: All types.

Communities impacted include: Manitou, Darlingford, Broad Valley, Roblin.