Bee Mortality Insurance Program

All SCIC customers are required to complete an application for insurance. SCIC regulations require eligible producers to demonstrate legal, financial and operational independence from all other producers.

To obtain a contract of insurance, visit a customer service office to complete an application for insurance before March 31. SCIC reserves the right to review any contract to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements. Where concerns are identified, the contract holder will be advised of these requirements in order to maintain their contract in future years.

Eligibility

Overwintering insurance is available for commercial beekeepers in Saskatchewan with a minimum of 100 colonies and registered with the Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission.

Insurable perils include adverse weather, disease and pest infestations or epidemics for which control is not possible.

Program Information

Beekeepers will have to apply for a contract of insurance by March 31. The deadline to endorse or remove overwintering insurance for coverage the following winter is June 25.

SCIC will inspect all the colonies in the fall to assess the hive’s “winter readiness”. Only hives which meet industry standard criteria at the time of this inspection will be insurable. All eligible colonies must be insured. Coverage will begin after the fall inspection and continue until the hives are inspected in the spring.

In the spring, beekeepers with a concern about winter survival, must notify SCIC for an adjuster to inspect and determine losses prior to colonies being unwrapped, cleaned up, or moved outside. If overwinter losses are in excess of the individualized deductible level, the claim will be paid at the insured value.

If SCIC is not notified of any loss that occurred over winter by May 15, coverage is terminated.

Coverage

The insured value per colony was determined by SCIC in consultation with the industry and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Provincial Apiculturist.

Premium Cost Sharing & Rates

The cost sharing of premiums will follow the comprehensive cost sharing arrangements where the governments pay 60 per cent and the producer share is 40 per cent.

Premium rate calculations are calculated on a provincial basis using historical information provided by the industry. Non yield-based insurance programs require a deductible equal to the long-term normal loss rate. Insurance is based on individualized deductibles calculated using the beekeepers individual overwintering loss experience. New beekeepers with no experience will start at the provincial long term average deductible. The provincial average deductible for 2024 is 22.6 per cent. Customer premium is $5.29/hive.

Beekeeping Practices

Beekeeping practices are outlined in the terms and conditions and follow the recommendations of Saskatchewan’s beekeeping industry.

Paying the Premium

Your premium is due as soon as you receive your Statement of Insurance. However, your 2024 premium is interest-free until September 30, 2024. Interest will start to accrue October 1. If the account is paid by October 31, no interest will be charged.

After October 31, interest will be charged at the beginning of each month until the account is paid in full. Any contract with outstanding premiums not paid or not having payment arrangements made by the March 31, 2025, deadline will not be eligible for coverage in 2025.