Manitoba Beekeepers' Association

Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC)

INSURANCE: OVERWINTER BEE MORTALITY INSURANCE PILOT PROGRAM (NEW FOR 2011 !)

Purpose

• This pilot program insures a producer’s bees against non-manageable abnormal wintering losses, including weather-related losses, diseases and pests where there are no adequate means of control.

Eligibility

• A producer who resides and operates an apiary in Manitoba and is registered as a beekeeper under The Bee Act (Manitoba) is eligible for this program.

• Eligible producers must operate a minimum of 50 colonies.

• Strong colonies (placed in either indoor or outdoor storage) and nuclear colonies placed in indoor storage are eligible for coverage.

Coverage

• This program covers losses of strong (7 or more frames of brood) and nuclear (minimum 4 frames of brood) colonies that have suffered abnormal winter losses, or losses due to diseases and/or pests (e.g. Varroa mites, Nosema, viruses) with no means of adequate control.

• Beekeepers may select a low ($100 per colony) or high ($150 per colony) overwinter colony dollar value for coverage.

• A 30% deductible is applied to coverage.

Coverage example :

A beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value.

Coverage = 100 colonies x $150 = $15,000 Deductible = 15,000 x 0.30 = $4,500

In this scenario, the maximum coverage available is $10,500 ($15,000 – $4,500)

Coverage Exceptions

• This program does not insure against any losses resulting from inadequate or improper winter storage, inadequate surveillance, failure to follow normal or recommended beekeeper practices, and theft or vandalism.

Costs

• Premium costs are shared 40% by the beekeeper, 36% by the Government of Canada and 24% by the Province of Manitoba.

Producer share of premiums for 2011 are: Low dollar coverage = $1.79 per colony High dollar coverage = $2.68 per colony

Premium example:

A beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value.

Premium (high dollar value)

= 100 x $2.68 per colony = $268.00

Claims

• If a beekeeper believes they are in a claim position, they must file a claim with MASC on or before May 15.

• After filing a claim, an MASC adjustor will assess the losses that have occurred during the winter storage period.

Claim example:

A beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value. In spring, the beekeeper finds that 44 colonies were lost due to insurable causes.

Claim = dead colonies – deductible

= 44 – 30 = 14

= 14 x $150

= $2100

Compensation Offsets

• If a program participant received a wildlife compensation payment under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Regulation for loss of bees during the winter storage period, this payment may be deducted from any indemnity payable under this program.

Important Dates and Deadlines

August 31 is the last day to apply for this program.

November 30 is the last day to declare and confirm the number of colonies placed in winter storage.

May 15 is the last day to file a claim without a late fee.

May 31 (or 3 days prior to taking action in respect of the management and control of over-winter colonies, whichever comes first) is the last day to file a Declaration of Overwinter Colonies Mortality Report, and file a claim with late claim fees.

For more information contact your local MASC insurance agent or visit masc.mb.ca.

This information sheet contains general information only and does not form part of the Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance Contract between an insured and MASC. In all cases, the Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance Contract shall prevail.

NOTE: Original “FactSheet” document contains government logos for Canada (Growing Forward) and Manitoba (copied from Fact Sheet and added herein by web admin 21apr2011)

Refer MASC web site for up to date details and information