08 September 2011
New Zealand’s largest rural insurer launches campaign to raise awareness of tractor fire risk
New Zealand’s largest rural insurer, FMG, is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the risks of tractor fires
during the nesting season. The campaign comes with the endorsement of the National Rural Fire Authority.
FMG Head of Claims, Sean Beattie, says tractor fires are a major problem in rural New Zealand from September to November
as birds such as starlings can build a nest in a tractor engine in under an hour.
“A tractor engine fire can put a tractor out of action at one of the busiest times of the year. On average, FMG receives
over 70 claims a year for $1.2 million of damage in tractor fires, commonly caused by nesting birds.
“Tractor users can take some simple steps to reduce the risk of tractor fires: always “stop and pop” the hood when you
leave your tractor unattended to deter birds from nesting and fit a foam fire extinguisher in every tractor cab.”
FMG’s campaign to raise awareness includes advertising and a short awareness video available free on YouTube at
http://youtube.fmg.co.nz
ABOUT FMG
FMG is New Zealand’s largest rural insurer. With over a century of experience, no one understands of the needs of people
living and working in rural New Zealand better than FMG. For more information about FMG, visit its website at
http://www.fmg.co.nz or call 0800 366 466.
ENDS