NFU Mutual to offer bird flu insurance cover again

NFU Mutual has agreed to temporarily re-open its insurance cover for bird flu after a second insurer closed its books to new policyholders, leaving businesses exposed.
Previously, NFU Mutual reported that they would not be taking on new clients for avian influenza insurance cover from 1 September 2024.
NFU Mutual was concerned that as avian influenza is a seasonal disease linked to wild bird migration patterns, there would be a sudden rush of poultry producers renewing during the highest risk period from October to March.
But, after the industry raised concern, and another avian influenza insurance provider, Apollo, withdrew from the market, NFU Mutual rethought their policy, confirming that bird keepers now have until 5 October to take out a policy.
An NFU Mutual spokesperson said: “To ensure this insurance product is sustainable and viable for customers, both this year and in the future, the policy was open for new business between 1 April and 1 September (2024) and closed in the volatile, high-risk period of October to March.
However, they said they had “temporarily” reopened this cover for those “affected by Apollo’s removal of cover”.