The Rural Voice, 1998-08, Page 24PROTECTING FARMERS
Ontario's oldest farm mutual insurance company started providing farmers
with fire insurance close to 150 years ago. Today the province's 50 community-based
farm mutuals offer farmers more than protection against Nature.
Story by Allison Lawlor
Farmers have been protected against barn fires and other disasters for over 140 years by farm mutual insurance companies.
Fire destroys McGugan barn, the
headline of the July 15th
Lucknow Sentinel read. The
dairy barn, located in Kinloss
Township, was completely destroyed
when combustion ignited the large
hay bales stacked outside.
Farmers are endlessly trying to
find protection against the elements.
Whether it's fire, lightning, wind or
ice, they spend their lives battling
Nature.
20 THE RURAL VOICE
Since the mid -1800s farm mutual
insurance companies have been
covering damages on farms caused
by Mother Nature and human error.
Back in 1874, John Gemmill
watched his barn in Turnberry
Township go up in flames. The cause
of the fire was unknown and thought
to be arson, but Gemmill was paid
$873. It was Howick Farmers'
Mutual Fire Insurance Company's
first major loss. Since then the
company has covered millions of
dollars in losses.
More than a century later, farm
mutual insurance companies continue
to insure the majority of Ontario's
farm community. Having moved
beyond providing only fire insurance,
mutual companies today offer a wide
range of insurance policies, from
environmental protection to life
insurance.
Ignoring critics who say farm