Downey Insurance would like all our Farm Insurance policy holders to know Vermont farmers have access to a program that makes tractor safety equipment affordable and simple to order. The University of Vermont (UVM) Extension announced today the Vermont Rebates for Roll bars program, one of two programs of its kind in the United States. It reimburses farmers 70 percent of the cost of their rollover protection kit – a roll bar and seat belt – up to a savings of $765, and provides help to farmers with identifying and pricing the appropriate rollover kits for their tractors.
According to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, a farmer is 800 percent more likely to die while working than individuals in other jobs. The leading cause of these deaths is tractor overturns. The Northeast has the highest rate of tractor overturns in the country. To launch this program, farmers and administrators of Vermont Rebates for Roll bars will gather at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at Under Orion Farm at 1009 Ducharme Road in Marshfield, VT.
Vermont’s program is administered by the Northeast Center for Agricultural and Occupational Health (NEC), the organization behind a similar program in New York that has successfully accomplished a ten-fold increase in tractor rollover protection installation since the program’s inception in 2007. Cost and difficulty ordering the appropriate equipment were identified by NEC as the two key barriers to getting rollover protection on tractors.
“Rollover protection devices on tractors are highly effective in protecting farmers if they take the steps to install and use them on their equipment.” A roll bar and seat belt are 99 percent effective in preventing death and serious injury in the event of a rollover. Leading sponsor Cooperative Insurance Companies has committed $45,000 to the program over the next three years. Farmers may call toll-free 877-ROPS-R4U (877-767-7748) or Downey Insurance in Brattleboro, Vt. at 888-895-3608 for more information or to register for a rollover kit.
Downey Insurance in Marlboro MA, Keene NH, and Brattleboro VT are proud to be a premier provider of Co-op Insurance Companies Insurance products and to be part of the Co-operative Insurance Family, protecting Farmers and their families, with Farm Insurance policies in NH and VT.
Submitted by: HEATHER OLSEN, Downey Insurance Group, Account Executive
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