As a result of the heavy rainfall that has spread over the coastal regions, agricultural insurers such as Vereinigte Hagel and Agriver are receiving more and more calls from arable farmers who are dealing with flooding. The problem is especially prevalent in potatoes, onions and carrots.
"We have now received more than 12 reports from arable farmers up to Tuesday afternoon, September 35," says Jan Schreuder. He is director of Vereinigte Hagel in the Netherlands. He does not yet dare to say how many hectares of crops that corresponds to. "It started in Zeeland and South Holland last week. We are now receiving reports from North Holland, Friesland, but now also from Flevoland. In these areas it has sometimes rained more than 70 millimeters."
Damage is irrevocable
Schreuder now dares to doubt that the flooding does not cause damage. "We have not yet started assessing, because the water has to subside first. Affiliated farmers can choose whether our damage experts will come and take a look immediately, or at a later time. The damage can be determined after 2 to 3 weeks. The growers In the meantime, we are working with the shovel and mini cranes to save what can be saved."
Schreuder is not confident that everything will end well, as he himself says. "If we look at the forecasts, more rain is on the way. Many of the core arable areas are experiencing excessive precipitation."
Damage threshold
Vereinigte Hagel applies a damage threshold of 50 millimeters that must occur within 24 hours. There is a deductible of 30% per contiguous area of one hectare. The non-profit insurance company pays out a maximum of 70% of the insured value. "We have 2017% more participants with broad weather insurance in 20 than in 2016," says Schreuder.
Update 14: 30:
Insurer Agriver has also received reports of water damage, says director Marien Boersma. "It concerns flooding in potatoes, carrots, chicory and 1 report in red cabbage," he says. "We receive most reports from the southwest. We also received 1 report from North Holland. This partly shows where the showers have fallen, but Agriver traditionally has many affiliated growers in the southwest of the country."
Agriver damage experts try to visit the affected growers as soon as possible. Places where there is water are still clearly visible. A second visit will follow after a few weeks to determine the exact damage.
Also storm damage
The storm damage to agricultural companies appears to be less than expected on Wednesday afternoon, September 13. Agriver has received 1 report about a greenhouse. Several reports have been received at Interpolis, says head of agricultural service Adri Witlox. "Interpolis only has a limited number of broad weather insurance policies in its package. We are currently mainly busy with storm damage. The first reports are now coming in."