Insurance Policies

Insurance Notice

The purpose of this posting is for clarification of policy concerning Fairview Sale Barn and the insuring of cattle passing through the premises. You can be assured that every animal walking off the transport under its own power will be presented at auction if it can walk into the sales ring, and will sell under its own merits regardless of condition. We welcome all cattle and will do our best for you regardless of what the animal is.

Livestock Marketing Association, (the organization to which most livestock markets are affiliated), is responsible for the insurance provided by us for our customers. LMA shops the coverage among reliable insurance companies for the best deal possible. Premiums are paid by deducting a small per head fee from a sellers check. This amount, (100%), is then sent by the sale company to the insurer. Fairview Sale Barn has a very sound relationship with the insurers and has never abused the integrity of doing business with them, and rates have not increased for a while because of this. Legitimate claims are never questioned and are promptly paid.

Rest assured, if a healthy animal is injured or worse, it is covered. That coverage is inclusive from the time it walks off the delivering truck until the door closes on the departing transport. Coverage for an animal such as this has never been in doubt and never will be.

Now for the basis of this posting:

Animals with prior health and/or physical problems are not covered. Examples include:

1.     Animals coming off a transport limping or crippled in any way upon arrival are not insured. (pre-existing)

2.    Animals with restricted vision (including cancer-eyed cows) are a very high risk. (pre-existing)

3.    Weak baby calves.

4.    Incoming un-healed freshly castrated or dehorned cattle (pre-existing.)  Those done by our vet on sale day are covered.

5.    Cattle weakened by disease especially respiratory-“lungers” or those deemed sick on sale day by the vet on duty. (pre-existing)

6.    Extremely wild and hostile cattle. They tend to get hung up or run into things and break necks. Sorry, not covered. (pre-existing)

7.    Cows—this is one of our biggest problems, especially during the worst part of winter although not restricted to that time.   NOT INSURED ARE weak and/or very thin cows, often ancient or emaciated, which tend to have very little will power and resistance, lie down, fall, or split out, and often refuse to get up. If they don’t die first, we have to put them down, then call the dead wagon costing us $50 plus labor for it. Animals like this are not insurable and are death waiting to happen, but we will continue to try to get rid of them for you.

        Just don't expect miracles, but do expect to be billed for the dead wagon pick-up if it dies. It bothers this old man to the nth when someone gets “owly” toward the company because a weak old cow goes down, becomes unsaleble, and the seller expects to collect an insurance check while insisting there was nothing wrong with the animal. This happens all too often. Filing a claim in a situation like this is fraudulent and completely pierces the integrity of what we try to do. We don’t lie or cheat anyone and pledge to keep it that way. Therefore, please don’t expect us to lie and cheat the insurer for an old cow worth only a few dollars. We will work our arses off for you, but won’t lie for you, nor will we cheat you.

EVERY STRONG-HEALTHY-UNINJURED-SANE ANIMAL UNLOADED AT OUR DOCK IS INSURED BY A MOST REPUTABLE INSURANCE COMPANY FROM THE TIME IT WALKS OFF THE TRAILER UNTIL THE GATE SHUTS ON THE DEPARTING TRANSPORT.