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This is a timely reminder to check the fine print in your insurance policies.
An apple grower near Nelson hit hard by last week’s tornado is devastated his insurance company won’t pay out because it’s not classed as a ‘natural disaster’. […]
The crop was due to be harvested on Monday, but six days ago a tornado tore straight through it.
“We’re estimating around $200,000 to $220,000 of fruit loss,” Aaron Thawley said.
The Thawley family has been growing apples in this area since 1914 – and insuring it with FMG for about 40 years.
While the Insurance Council agrees the damage was caused by a natural disaster and says it will approach FMG on Thawley’s behalf, the article notes:
However in FMG’s policy wording, their definition of a natural disaster includes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and landslips. But not what many farmers and growers are actually hit by – which is big storms.
And yet, the Tenancy Tribunal does identify storm/wind damage as an Act of God.
Read more here. Discuss it on The BFD.
