Dry weather conditions have led to many combine and other equipment fires this harvest season. These fires have raised several conversations among farmers.
Be Prepared
The best way to fight a field fire is to prevent one from starting with proper equipment and field preparation.
Equipment Preparation
- Check and grease bearings and other friction points.
- Reduce spark potential by lifting the head to avoid contact with rocks.
- Reduce static electricity sparks by dragging a chain or cable on the ground, provided the risk of sparks from contact with rocks is low.
- Use a leaf blower to remove trash and dust buildup several times throughout the day and at the end of the day.
- Avoid driving vehicles with hot mufflers through tall grass.
- Check fire extinguishers to ensure they have a full charge.
- Avoid combining when heat and wind are high.
Field Preparation
A water tank is another tool to have in the field in case of fire. Additionally, having a disc or plow hooked up and in the field being harvested is another way to prevent the spread of the fire. Limiting the number of acres burnt is the first goal in these situations.
Insurance Response
Equipment Losses
The first comment after any disaster concerns insurance, and equipment fires are not left out of that discussion. However, the questions here often end with a “it depends” answer. Farm property insurance will likely cover the loss of equipment, provided the equipment is listed and covered in the policy. Most policies only allow equipment to be insured at actual cash value (for the same year, make, model, hours, etcetera), not replacement value. Talk to your insurance agent to find out which policy you have in place.
Crop Losses
Farm property insurance is also not likely to cover the loss of any crop burned by the fire, and a combine fire is also not an insurable loss factor for crop insurance. However, liability insurance can be available to protect the farmer from litigation when a neighbor's crop is burned in a fire.
Another insurance consideration is if the farmer is doing custom harvesting for a neighbor and causes a fire in the neighbor’s field.
Hail insurance and field gain fire coverage insurance are insurance products that may provide an indemnity payment for lost grain in the case of an equipment fire. A limited number of companies offer these products at harvest.
Risk Management Steps
As harvest continues, take these steps to evaluate your situation.
- Evaluate your ability to cover losses due to an equipment fire.
- Talk to your insurance agent about the policies you have in place and evaluate them for coverage gaps.
- Equip your harvest equipment with tools that prevent fires from starting.
- Prepare other equipment to battle a fire and limit its spread.
- Download local weather alerts for high wind and high-temperature warnings.
Insurance is an additional expense for the farm and may or may not be the best tool for you. Evaluate your ability to cover the costs and losses if an equipment fire happens to you.
