BULLETINS & ARTICLES
Greenhouse Insurance Tips
Article reproduced with permission
of Vegfed NZ, www.thegrower.co.nz
Primary Industry insurance provider, FMG, says that when insuring a glasshouse, greenhouse or associated plant, the most important thing for any insurance company to consider is the location of such a structure and to what degree it is exposed to the elements. Natural perils in the area will be the main determinant of the final insurance premium. These factors, which are taken into account, are wind (especially for ventilated structures), hail and snow storms. In fact, some local councils might impose a loading restriction for snow on new glasshouses which should be checked when applying for a new building consent.
Wind is probably the biggest risk, as one FMG client has found on more than one occasion. Even using computer monitoring to control vents, changes in wind speeds and direction can happen so quickly that more than one glasshouse roof has been lost to the elements.
Another factor the company takes into account when determining insurance cover is the general level of maintenance of the glasshouse or greenhouse. Plastic clad greenhouses require more maintenance than glass structures and skins usually need to be replaced more regularly; this is often dependent on the thickness of the skins.
Similarly the insurance cover on plastic cladding is also more restrictive than that for glass structures as the exposure to risks is greater. Insurance cover on plastic cladding is usually only for present day value, meaning that FMG would only pay the market value of the structure immediately prior to the loss and is calculated on the material’s life expectancy.
Another factor to consider in terms of plastic skins is lichen. Most manufacturers advise that no lichen is ever left to grow on the cladding as this is near impossible to remove and will restrict the light levels for crops.
In both glass and plastic houses, racks should be greased regularly, especially vented models, to ensure that machinery does not jam.
