The past two winters have produced a large number of snow damage claims, with Scotland and the North East of England the worst affected. Compounded by the build up of a rapid accumulation of snow with no thaw thereafter, eventually the weight has proved too much for some buildings. With the thaw comes a second wave of problems including burst pipes and flooding.
Worst affected by snow damage have been traditional steadings and 
more modern structures featuring wide spans and shallow pitches.
To date industry reaction to such events has been to treat them as a “one-off”, but with the last two winters producing such conditions can this continue? Insurers must be prepared to accept extreme one-off events as part and parcel of their business, but if it looks like such conditions may become the norm, the situation will need to be reassessed by both insurers and the insured.
Experience has shown that once the snow comes there is little that can be safely done to prevent the inevitable. Very few farms and estates have the appropriate machinery to clear roofs, and in freezing temperatures the time and effort involved in completing any task is multiplied. Possibly the time has come to push preventive measures to the fore such as:
· Implementation of a structured maintenance programme looking at both the building itself, the way it has been erected and ancillaries such as guttering and downpipes;
· Keeping a log to remind you of what needs doing and when;
· When it snows making regular checks of roofs and ensuring drainage systems are free of ice;
· Understanding the snow load design of your buildings;
· Getting livestock and machinery out when worried;
· Making contingency plans in case the worst happens to allow your business to continue to operate;
· Introducing measures such as trace heating systems which can go a long way towards mitigating the impact of such events.
Insurers, having paid out millions in claims, will understandably be considering ways to mitigate their exposure. Taking a closer look at the design and condition of buildings before offering the storm cover under which weight of snow claims are made, may be a starting point.
For further information and advice about farm and estate property insurance, please contact William Barne on 0131 225 9119 or by email william.barne@lycetts.co.uk.
