Farmers Increasingly Insure Working Dogs as Valuable Assets

Dr. Robyn Haasbroek of VetEast, who works with approximately 200 farmers, reports that around half have opted for insurance for their working dogs. She believes this is still not sufficient. According to Dr. Haasbroek, a dog's value may be assessed both financially and in terms of the strong bond shared with the farmer or shepherd.

Injuries among working dogs are common and treatment costs can be substantial. Dr. Haasbroek noted that a dog that suffers severe injuries, such as a fall resulting in broken bones, could incur treatment bills between $5,000 and $6,000 outside of specialist clinics. She emphasized that the investment in a trained and bred working dog merits consideration for insurance.

She described working dog insurance as distinct from companion animal insurance; while farmers cherish their dogs, working dogs serve a specific purpose. If a dog's ability to perform its job is compromised, it becomes a significant financial burden for the farmer. Insurance can help alleviate this stress, though Dr. Haasbroek advises thorough scrutiny of policy details, including definitions of coverage for death or loss of work.

FMG, a rural insurer, offers a farm dog policy that covers specified and unspecified dogs between six months and nine years old used in farming operations or dog trials. For specified dogs, FMG pays fair market value, while unspecified dogs have coverage up to $3,000 for common causes of death from accidents, diseases, or theft. Furthermore, policies can cover up to 75% of a dog's value if it is permanently unable to work, and they will pay vet bills up to $1,000 for treatment that can extend the dog's working life.

Abby France, FMG’s loss prevention manager, explained that insurance policies for working dogs have been available since the 1990s, aimed at helping farmers recover from loss. The premiums vary based on the dog's value, complicating the calculation of costs.

Richard Dawkins, a Federated Farmers meat and wool chair, noted that about half of the organization's members are securing insurance for their working dogs, a trend that appears to be increasing. He encourages farmers to consider insurance, especially given the strong returns in the agricultural sector, even though he personally does not insure his own dogs.

Dawkins remarked, ‘You have to take on some risk as a farmer,’ highlighting the potential risks faced by dogs in large herds or rugged terrains. He advocates for farmers to familiarize themselves with their insurance policies.