Insurance claim for working dog

[Downton_shep]

Had a disaster yesterday, my best catching dog had to be pts after breaking his back, falling off old quarry edge while catching a lamb that had got through the fence.

Is there any way of making a claim on the farms insurance? Probably clutching at straws but thought it was worth asking.

 

[Kelso690]

Sorry to hear that. We have sheepdogs specifically included on the farm insurance with NFU. They are named on the policy and what they are covered for is all down in writing.

 

[Spartacus]

With livestock if it has strayed you can claim for them, years ago (before my time) we had some sheep that had strayed from our fell and were frightened into diving over a cliff edge by a low flying plane, as they were off the holding we managed to claim for them through insurance. I think it would be the same with working dogs.

Sorry to here the news though.

 

[Al R]

What can they be claimed for and any idea on payment value? I lost a young up and coming brilliant dog in a freak accident involving just him and a thunderstorm..

 

[Al R]

With livestock if it has strayed you can claim for them, years ago (before my time) we had some sheep that had strayed from our fell and were frightened into diving over a cliff edge by a low flying plane, as they were off the holding we managed to claim for them through insurance. I think it would be the same with working dogs.

Sorry to here the news though.

Are you sure? I lost 15 lambs last year over a cliff in 1 go from dogs chasing them, a few months later lost 3 ewes and 5 lambs to a dog but the owner paid for them. Last week a friend picked up a ewe in his boat and she’s alive but another 1 is still missing. Never bothered asking insurance about it.

 

[Spartacus]

Are you sure? I lost 15 lambs last year over a cliff in 1 go from dogs chasing them, a few months later lost 3 ewes and 5 lambs to a dog but the owner paid for them. Last week a friend picked up a ewe in his boat and she’s alive but another 1 is still missing. Never bothered asking insurance about it.

So long as they had strayed from your own land yes, we had a heifers ended up in a water tank a couple of years ago, completely surrounded d by our field but technically the water tank wasnt our property, we got paid out on that heifer for that reason.

 

[MJT]

Very sorry to hear about your dog. I’m Pretty sure that with standard farm insurance you can be paid out the cost that it will take to replace him. Our dogs aren’t specifically individually insured but insurance company says if they get killed them you can get back the cost to replace .

 

[Dry Rot]

That is bad luck. Dogs never live long enough as it is.

I am pretty sure working dogs come under the same category as equipment so definitely worth putting in a claim. If refused, I would fight it.

As for value, there are sheepdog auctions so selling prices of an equivalent dog would be good evidence, also the opinion of an experienced trainer who regularly sells dogs. But the value to you, infinite.

 

[Johngee]

Best thing is for you to check with your insurance company as it depends what risks are insured on your policy. Things like straying livestock, livestock in transit or impact by 3rd party vehicle are fairly standard.

 

[neilo]

So long as they had strayed from your own land yes, we had a heifers ended up in a water tank a couple of years ago, completely surrounded d by our field but technically the water tank wasnt our property, we got paid out on that heifer for that reason.

Yes, that's why sheep always drown on the far side of a river isn't it, when they leave the field on the opposite bank that they'd strayed on to (assuming it's someone else's field, of course).

@Downton_shep , bugger.

 

[Headless chicken]

We’ve got the working dogs itemised on our insurance think it will pay up to 5k. I wanted it higher but they felt that was high enough.

 

[little_p]

As for value, there are sheepdog auctions so selling prices of an equivalent dog would be good evidence, also the opinion of an experienced trainer who regularly sells dogs. But the value to you, infinite.

Before sheepdog auctions really took off, I had a relative who was often asked to 'value' working sheepdogs for insurance claims. The insurance company always used to come back and question the valuation. When it comes to working sheepdogs, insurance company really do know the price of everything and value of nothing.

 

[CopperBeech]

Thats really crap news mate sorry.

It depends on your insurance, if you give it a good go and you've not taken the pee before, and make the claim it is an essential tool etc you may be ok.

I have my dogs individually named and valued on my policy just in case.

 

[Downton_shep]

Thanks for all the replies. I’ll give it a try tomorrow and see what they can do.

 

[InsuranceLadyAmanda]

Thanks for all the replies. I’ll give it a try tomorrow and see what they can do.

Hi hope you managed to get this sorted out.
Working dogs are covered as standard under a couple of insurers policies however they have to be added specifically under the Livestock section of your policy with others. Hopefully your broker or NFU agent has been able to help you but if not I am more than happy to look over your paperwork for you and assist. Just drop me a message.

 

[Downton_shep]

Hi hope you managed to get this sorted out.
Working dogs are covered as standard under a couple of insurers policies however they have to be added specifically under the Livestock section of your policy with others. Hopefully your broker or NFU agent has been able to help you but if not I am more than happy to look over your paperwork for you and assist. Just drop me a message.

Thanks, I’ve left it in the hands of the farm manager. I’ll try and chase him up tomorrow!

 

[som farmer]

never even thought of claiming for a working dog, we lost a really good young one last year, ate a rat full of bait. to late to claim now !

 

[primmiemoo]

Sorry to read of losses upthread. Always a traumatic time, and precisely when you don't want to think about money.

We thought we were covered for injury through accident sustained by a working dog when working stock - there was specific mention of working dog in the policy - but apparently not. Had the working dog been hit by a vehicle and injured when working, it wouldn't've been fully covered either.
Makes a mockery of calling it a cover for working dogs, imv.