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Machinery crashes account for many insurance claims

An insurance expert says many crashes involving farm machinery are caused by equipment malfunctions.

Underwriter Zachary Hinthorn with Country Financial tells Brownfield there are precautions farmers can take before leaving the farmyard for the fields. “Try to have a clear, clean, slow-moving vehicle symbol that other drivers are able to see. Check all of your lights. Make sure your turn signals and your flashing lights are working as well, and then, just in general, check your tractor to make sure the proper maintenance has been completed on it so no accidents happen on the road.”

Hinthorn says motorists also need to be more careful in the spring and fall. “Make sure to slow down much sooner than you think would be necessary. Those vehicles are usually driving a lot slower than what you may think.”

Hinthorn says Country Financial processed 180 claims between March and June of last year, including road incidents and collisions with buildings or other farm equipment.