The Down Family
John and Sally Down run Park Farm, a 900-acre mixed farm in Curry Mallet, Somerset, with the help of their younger son, James.
Without contractors, the family keep 400 beef and 200 dairy cows, as well as some 300 ewes, and devote almost 500 acres to arable farming.
Insuring with Cornish Mutual has become something of a family tradition.
56-year-old John has been a Member for almost thirty years, as was his father and both grandfathers before him. His brother, at the family’s original farm near Tiverton, is another Cornish Mutual Member.
Cornish Mutual insures the Downs’ livestock and machinery, as well as providing liability cover for the farmland itself – John has never insured anything with anyone else.
However, it is the farm’s fleet policy, covering road vehicles and tractors, that impresses him most.
“It’s just so open,” he says. “As long as you have five or more vehicles, they give you one fair price for the lot.”
The Downs put the policy to the test recently, when a tractor was consumed by fire at the far end of the farm. They were not disappointed.
John explains: “They paid out fairly, and there were no problems at all. Quickly, too: I had a cheque in my hand within a couple of days.”
The family had face-to-face help when making their claim, from Area Manager Philip Wilson; their main contact at the company for almost a decade.
“We’re very lucky to have Philip,” says John. “He’s knowledgeable and local, and happy to help you with the forms. You feel like he’s working for you.
“Cornish Mutual give us peace of mind. We know they’re competitive, and we have all our insurances with one company, and one date to renew it all – the Devon County Show – so we don’t forget.
“They’re local and agriculturally-based, too; it’s not a big, far-off company making millions in profit. You’re dealing with the salt of the earth. Why make life complicated?”
John and Sally’s eldest son, Rodney, has recently become a father himself. He farms at nearby Wrantage, and travels the globe as a Nuffield Scholar, keeping abreast of the latest dairying techniques worldwide.
As you might expect, he’s a Cornish Mutual Member.
Enter your details to receive our eNewsletter.
Sending email…
Cornish Mutual is a trading name of The Cornish Mutual Assurance Co. Ltd. We are Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority. The products featured on this site are available to UK residents only and, unless otherwise stated, are provided by The Cornish Mutual Assurance Co. Ltd. No advice on investments has been given. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a product you should seek independent advice. Please note all calls may be recorded for security and training purposes.