Errant insurers reap off unsuspecting tobacco farmers
Insurance24
HARARE, Some Insurance companies are shortchanging tobacco farmers by entering into informal agreements with sales floor workers to sign them up without their consent, Insurance 24 has learnt.
A survey done by insurance 24 shows that over the years a number of tobacco farmers have been paying for insurance services which they did not sign up for and yet they do not get the services when they need them.
Farmers at Bridon Farm in Guruve who spoke to this publication said it has become a custom for these insurance companies to deduct a minimum of $20 from their sales .
They says some farmers who have managed to locate these companies haven’t been able to be presented with any copy of contract they signed to that effect.
A farmer who requested anonymity said he endured the subscriptions but did not get compensation upon presenting his claim.
“They have your name and account number but no contract form. If you are lucky to find them as I did they will then convince you sign. The problem comes when you need their services.
My tobacco barn burnt down last year with all my tobacco in it. They sent me an assessor who told me I couldn’t get compensated because I used strings not the clips which re recommend.so they called it negligence. And I never got anything from them. What pains the most is the fact that I had not initially signed up for their insurance and it took me long to find them after I noticed that they were deducting my money,” he said.
Another farmer also said he never found the people who were deducting money from his sales as an insurance subscription.
“ I tried so hard to find them but I could not . I don’t know how they got my details now I’m afraid that’s the season is approaching again they might steal my money from me Again. Actually, its not me who have fallen victim almost all of us and we have agreed that if they do it again this year we are going to take the matter further,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from tobacco industry and marketing board hasn’t been fruitful.
