Readers will have read about the devastating fire that ripped through the workshop premises of MKM Agriculture in Bedfordshire, completely destroying over 80 ATVs along with tools and equipment in the early hours of 7 April this year.

 

Rebuilding the premises has began after the site had been cleared as reported in the Service Dealer Weekly Update of 14th May.

 

Two months on from the fire, md Anthony Deacon has talked in vivid detail to Chris Biddle about the events of that day and the aftermath for the latest episode of the Inside Agri-Turf podcast.

 

He describes how, along with the fire crew, he could only stand and watch as huge flames destroyed the buildings, the alarm having been raised at 4.00am by his 95-year old grandfather who lives on the site – and who was thankfully unharmed.

 

Fortunately, the offices were unaffected and his computer records provided a full inventory of all the machines that has been lost.

 

Anthony talks about the difficult questions he had to face from the insurance company before they accepted his claim in full three weeks after the fire. 

 

He urges businesses to fully study, 'the last six pages' of their policy containing the exclusions and other factors that might disbar a claim - rather than the opening pages which summarise the extent of the cover.

 

It's a salutary tale for any business owner considering a scenario of 'What If'.

 

LISTEN (episode is 28 minutes)