An Oxford
University farm just outside Chedzoy, Somerset, Three Oaks has been
the family home for a quarter of a century. Its 650 acres are home
to 200 dairy and 400 beef cattle, with a large area devoted to
cereal crops.
Simon, who has already worked on the farm for some 16 years, is
the fourth generation of Triggol to take on the family business and
insure with Cornish Mutual, with policies for its animals,
buildings, vehicles, machinery, liability and more.
After many years without a single claim, the 100-year relationship
came into its own recently, when the family endured a run of
horrific luck.
Tuesday 23rd August 2005 saw a major barn fire, consuming not only
the structure, but the machinery within. To make matters worse, the
farm's diesel tank was caught in the blaze, causing a serious
pollution risk that required a costly environmental cleanup.
Then, in 2007, the farm had two vehicles stolen in the space of
three months: a tractor, followed by a Land Rover.
On each occasion, Cornish Mutual rose to the challenge.
Ray, who now lives next door to the farm, explains: "It was all
sorted out fairly quickly: there were no real problems. Cornish
Mutual give a good service, and they insure everything we
need."
His wife, Amanda, agrees: "Cornish Mutual were brilliant."
Now he's in charge, Simon sees no reason to change a winning
formula.
"We know Cornish Mutual well, and they know us," he observes. "In
all this time, we've had very few Local Insurance Inspectors. They
tend to stay for years, so we can build a good relationship, and if
there's ever a problem, we call, and they come and sort it
out."
After nearly 10 years the family's Insurance Inspector Philip
Wilson has been promoted but they are quite comfortable with
Philip's replacement as it turns out he is family friend Nick
Howe.
