How to choose combine harvester insurance?

Since the early 19th century, the number of people engaged in agricultural labour across the world has plummeted, which is in no small part due to the combine harvester. A truly world-changing creation, the drop in demand for agricultural labour has allowed labourers to find work in more diverse sectors and for the world of industry to gradually develop into the technological era we are in today.

But such vital machinery doesn’t come cheap and a new combine harvester can cost you a hefty six-figure sum with top of the range models coming closer to a million.

With such high economic and production value, finding the right insurer to cover your combine harvester is crucial. But with so many options to choose from, how do you choose combine harvester insurance?

We are going to take a look at combine harvester insurance, what to consider before choosing a policy, and how to make sure you get the best deal you can.

How to choose combine harvester insurance

When choosing your combine harvester insurance it’s a good idea to consider the type of cover you require based on your budget, the use of the vehicle, and other factors such as who drives it and where it is kept. Before making a decision, make sure that you have shopped around and found a policy that offers you the exact cover you need at a price you can afford.

Ultimately, choosing the right insurance comes down to how well you know your vehicle and your assessment of what cover you are likely to need based upon its condition and use.

What is combine harvester insurance?

Combine harvester insurance is cover that is specifically designed for combine harvesters. However, many farmers opt to insure their combine harvester under their agricultural vehicle insurance policy.

Agricultural vehicle insurance insures all of your agricultural vehicles under one simple policy, which makes it easier to manage than having individual policies for each vehicle. Some insurance providers do not offer specific combine harvester insurance and only offer agricultural vehicle insurance.

What types of combine harvester insurance are available?

As with regular car insurance, there are three levels of insurance available for your combine harvester and other agricultural vehicles: third-party insurance; third-party, fire and theft insurance; and fully comprehensive insurance.

Third-party insurance is the cheapest and fully comprehensive is the most expensive. However, when choosing the level of insurance for your combine harvester, it is a good idea to consider the use, risks, and liabilities of your vehicle, rather than simply opting for the cheapest option.

Third-party insurance

Third-party insurance covers you in the event of damage or injury caused to another person, vehicle, or property by your combine harvester. It also includes claims made against your vehicle when stationary but parked in a public space. As with regular cars, third-party insurance is a minimum legal requirement if your combine harvester will ever be driven or parked on public roads.

Third-party insurance does not cover any damage to your combine harvester or injury to the person operating it. So, in the event of an accident, you would be liable to pay any repairs to the vehicle itself and the hospital bills or personal payout to the operator.

Third-party, fire and theft insurance

Third-party, fire and theft insurance includes all the cover of third-party insurance, but it also covers the cost of repairs and replacements for your vehicle if it is stolen or damaged by fire.

Third-party, fire and theft insurance does not cover your vehicle for any damage that was your fault. The vehicle is also not covered stolen after being left unsecured.

Fully comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive cover includes all the cover of third-party, fire and theft, but it also provides cover for any damage sustained by your combine harvester or injury sustained by you the driver even if the accident was your fault.

Optional extra cover

There are also optional extras that you can get in addition to the combine harvester insurance you choose. This may include cover for any accessories, or any tools, belongings, or spare parts that you have inside the combine harvester.

What to consider before choosing your insurance

When choosing your combine harvester insurance, it’s a good idea to be familiar with every last detail of your vehicle. If you begin approaching providers without a clear idea of your vehicle’s condition, use and storage, the quotes you hear will not be accurate.

So if you are currently seeking to insure your combine harvester, then try to make sure that you know the following things.

The details of your combine harvester

You will need to know the usual details such as the vehicle’s registration or chassis number, the make and model, and the current value.

If you can, try to also find out if your vehicle has undergone any modifications or significant repairs. So if you bought your combine harvester second hand, you might want to check with the previous owner with regards to its history.

The use of your combine harvester

The more a combine is used, the more likely it is to run into issues. So when you request insurance quotes be honest about how much your combine harvester is currently used and how much it is likely to be used in the future.

If demand for your crops is likely to rise, then the harvester will see more use. If you are thinking of downsizing, then the vehicle will see less use. Both variables could alter an insurance quote, so try to have a clear sense of the vehicle’s use before approaching providers.

You should also be as clear as you can about what the vehicle will be used for. For example, you may wish to use your combine harvester to drive on roads as opposed to remaining on the farm. If you do use your vehicle for anything beyond its traditional purpose, you should inform the provider as it may affect any quote you receive.

How to save money on your combine harvester insurance

When you consider the expense of the vehicle and the kind of work it is engaged in, it is hardly surprising that combine harvester insurance can amount to a lot of money.

Here we will take a look at a few things you can do to keep your premium costs as low as possible.

Raise your voluntary excess

Insurance policies come with an excess, which refers to the amount you will pay before making a claim for your insurance company. Your combine harvester insurance policy will have an automatic excess, but you can choose to voluntarily raise it. This will reduce the cost of your insurance, but does also mean you will pay more in the event of an accident involving your combine harvester.

Consider the age of the drivers

Younger drivers cost more to insure, even if there are older drivers also named on the vehicle’s policy. Drivers aged over 25 cost significantly less to insure than those aged under 25. Therefore, you may want to limit the drivers of your combine harvester to only those over a certain age.

Keep the combine harvester secure

Fitting your combine harvester with security features such as improved alarms, steering locks, or tracking devices will lead to a reduction in your premium costs.

You will also see a reduction in costs if you keep it kept in a safe and secure place like a garage. And if you already keep multiple vehicles in a garage, you might consider fitting fire suppression systems or something similar to ensure damage limitation if such an event were to occur.

Shop around

When you are searching for combine harvester insurance, be sure to ask for quotes from a range of providers. That way you should find the exact insurance cover you need at a price you can afford. And each year, before your premium renews, keep your eye out for new deals and offers that you can make the most of.

Summary

Combine harvesters are integral to the successful operation of many farms across the UK and finding the right insurance for them is vital to ensuring that such farms are well covered in the event of an accident.

Before you decide on a combine harvester insurance policy, it’s a good idea to be clear as to what type of insurance you are after and the specific needs of your vehicle. Then you can compare any quotes offered and decide whether or not they fit with your budget.

A-Plan’s combine harvester insurance is tailored to the specific needs of your combine harvester and we make sure that you get the exact cover you require.