Who is Taurus?
Taurus AgriDirect Limited, trading as Taurus, was established in 2008 to provide livestock insurance for vendors and purchasers of pedigree cattle. Taurus is an Appointed Representative of Amlin Underwriting Services Limited trading as Crowe Livestock. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Who is Crowe Livestock?
Crowe Livestock is based in Norfolk and operates at the forefront of the global livestock insurance industry in all livestock classes. It has a team of highly experienced Underwriters with specialists in cattle, embryos and semen.
What livestock cover does Taurus provide?
Taurus provides industry-recognised types of cover via Crowe Livestock for both private sales and those held by pedigree Breed Societies (Official Society Collective Sales, Breeders’ Sales & Club Sales) subject to a satisfactory veterinary inspection. The main insurance covers are Fertility (Bull or Female Breeding Warranty); Luck Penny; and All Risks Mortality. The types of cover available for Vendors or Purchasers are explained below.
Cover for Vendors: Luck Penny or Breeding Warranty
Pre-sale contracts are offered to vendors of bulls for Luck Penny Insurance. This package comprises of NBA Breeding Warranty (max 6 months) along with All Risks Mortality (3 months) and Loss of Use insurance (3 months). When a Vendor takes out Luck Penny Insurance, the purchaser is offered the opportunity to top up an additional 9 months’ All Risks Mortality & Loss of Use cover at a competitive rate (typically 7%). Luck Penny insurance also includes transit to the sale and whilst on market premises until fall of hammer, or until the animal exits the ring if unsold, or until the animal fails the pre-sale veterinary inspection, up to a value of £3,000. A significant discount is available for semen tested bulls.
Breeding Warranty (fertility) insurance (sometimes referred to as Vendor’s Guarantee) is also available separately and covers the vendor’s warranty as per the NBA Terms & Conditions. Both Female Breeding Warranty & Bull Breeding Warranty insurance are available. Breeding Warranty insurance also includes transit to the sale and whilst on market premises until fall of hammer, or until the animal exits the ring if unsold, or until the animal fails the pre-sale veterinary inspection, up to a value of £3,000.
Cover for Purchasers: All Risks Mortality
- Bulls. All Risks Mortality & Bull Loss of Use insurance is available for 3, 6 or 12 months
- Females. All Risks Mortality Insurance is available for 3, 6 or 12 months
Should I insure all the bulls I sell – whether privately or through the sale ring?
More and more vendors are choosing to insure the Breeding Warranty of all the bulls they sell both privately off-farm as well as through Club or Society Sales. Discounted rates may be available in this case. This provides reassurance for both seller and buyer and also means a third party deals objectively with any claims, thus saving time (as well as inconvenience and paperwork!) for the seller.
Many sellers also provide Luck Penny insurance on behalf of their buyers. This package comprises Bull Breeding Warranty (max 6 months) along with All Risks Mortality (3 months) and Loss of Use Insurance (3 months). Again, discounted rates are available for multiple covers. In short, this covers the vendor for the Breeding Warranty aspect (in case the animal proves infertile) and gives the buyer 3 months’ Mortality & Loss of Use cover on the animal. It helps the vendor market his bulls and gives the buyer greater confidence that the seller stands behind his bulls. As an extra incentive, the purchaser is offered the opportunity to top up an additional 9 months’ All Risks Mortality & Loss of Use cover at a competitive rate (typically 7 %).
Are discounts available?
Discounts are available for multiple cover (more than 3 animals sold at any one time). Please contact us for further details.
Can I place insurance at the respective sale centres on the day?
Whilst Taurus representatives are generally available at Limousin Society Sales as well as Blonde Society Sales, they may not be present at other Breed Society Sales or Club Sales. It is therefore recommended that cover is placed prior to the sale. This also helps vendors market their stock effectively. Cover can generally be taken up until 5.00pm on the Friday evening before a Saturday sale, for instance or at the latest by 12pm on the first working day following a sale.
Is the insurance available for all Official Breed Society Collective & Breeders’ Sales as well as Club Sales?
Yes. Generally at Official Breed Society Sales, the given animals are vetted as being of a standard insurance risk with an pre-sale inspection carried out in particular for eyes, teeth, testicles/udders and locomotion. Provided this is the case, they will be eligible for insurance. If not, then a Veterinary Certificate of Health should be completed by either the vendor’s or purchaser’s vet.
Will I be able to insure livestock sold privately off-farm?
Yes, provided the animal is vetted and a Veterinary Certificate of Health completed. A Cattle Declaration of Health and Vendor Proposal Form are also to be filled in and are available to download from this site. A copy of an invoice or receipt relating to the given animal is also required as a justification of value as is a copy of the passport or online movement receipt from BCMS/CTS Online.
Will I be able to insure bulls presented at Club Sales?
Yes, this will be similar to insuring livestock sold off-farm. If the given animals are vetted as being of a standard insurance risk and have a Veterinary Certificate of Health to that effect then they would be able to be insured. The required Vendor Proposal Form can be downloaded here.
Will I be able to insure livestock I buy privately off-farm?
Yes, provided the given animal is vetted as being of a standard insurance risk and has a Veterinary Certificate of Health to that effect then they would be able to be insured. The required Cattle Declaration of Health, Purchaser Proposal Form and Veterinary Certificate of Health to be filled can be downloaded here. A copy of an invoice or receipt relating to the given animal is also required as a justification of value, as is a copy of the cattle movement form required by the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS).
What other insurances are available?
It is Taurus’ aim to provide tailor-made and practical insurance solutions for livestock farmers. Show Team cover and Public Liability cover are also available. We are also looking at the provision of Whole Farm insurance. Please telephone with your requirements and we will do our best to answer any enquiries you may have.
Who can I speak to regarding my insurance requirements?
You can call Taurus direct on 02476-696516 to discuss any aspect of livestock insurance or email info@taurusinsurance.co.uk for any general enquiry. You may wish to ask for specific quotes, more information or what other insurances are available and any other general related queries. Claims are handled by Crowe Livestock.