Purpose
This program insures a producer’s honeybees against unmanageable abnormal wintering losses, including weather-related losses, diseases, and pests.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance, you must:
- reside in Manitoba and operate an apiary in the province;
- be registered as a beekeeper under The Bee Act (Manitoba);
- have a minimum of 50 colonies accepted for Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance; and
- have strong colonies placed in either indoor or outdoor storage, and/or have nuclear colonies placed in indoor storage.
Coverage
- This program covers losses of strong (7 or more frames of brood or bees when placed in winter storage) and nuclear colonies (minimum of 4 frames of brood or bees when placed in winter storage) that have suffered insurable winter losses due to weather, diseases and / or pests where there is no means of adequate control.
- Beekeepers may select a low ($205 per colony) or high ($310 per colony) overwinter colony dollar value for coverage.
- A new program participant for 2025-26 receives the Manitoba historic survival rate of 66.7 per cent. Producers enrolled for two or more years will receive a survival rate based on their experience.
- Coverage is based on 100 per cent of the number of overwinter colonies multiplied by the survival rate.
Coverage Example
A new beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter loss at the high dollar value ($310 per colony).
Coverage
= 100 colonies x 66.7 per cent survival rate x 100 per cent coverage
= 67 colonies (rounded)
67 Colonies x 310 per colony
= $20770
Coverage Exceptions
This program does not insure against any losses resulting from inadequate or improper winter storage, inadequate surveillance, failure to follow normal or recommended beekeeper practices, theft, or vandalism.
Costs
Premium costs are shared 40 per cent by the producer, 24 per cent by the Government of Canada, and 36 per cent by the Province of Manitoba.
Apply for Insurance
Visit an MASC Service Centre to apply for Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance coverage. August 31 is the last day to apply for or cancel an Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance policy.
Claims
Contact MASC to file your claim for Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance.
- May 15 (the final day to file a claim without late fees), or three days prior to taking any action in respect of management and control of overwinter colonies, whichever comes first.
- After filing a claim, an MASC adjustor will assess the losses that have occurred during the winter storage period.
- Colony designations are assigned as below:
Eligible Frames *
Entering Winter Storage |
Exiting Winter Storage |
|---|---|
Strong Colony: 7+ |
Strong Colony: 5+ |
Nuclear Colony: 4+ |
Nuclear Colony: 4+ |
* 50 per cent of weak colonies are counted as surviving colonies for claim and coverage purposes.
* An ‘Eligible Frame’ is a frame with at least two-thirds of the cells on each side of the frame filled with brood or eggs, or covered with live bees, or a combination thereof.
Claim Example
A new beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value. In spring, the beekeeper finds 30 strong colonies, 26 weak colonies, and 44 dead colonies.
Surviving Colonies
= 30 + (26 weak colonies x 50 per cent)
= 43 surviving colonies
Claim
= (insured colonies x survival rate x 100 per cent) – surviving colonies
= (100 x 0.667 x 1) – 43
= 24 (rounded)
24 colonies x 310 dollar value
= $7440
Compensation Offsets
If a program participant received a wildlife compensation payment under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Regulation for loss of bees during the winter storage period, this payment may be deducted from any indemnity payable under this program.
Important Dates
- August 31 is the last day to apply for or cancel an Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance policy.
- March 31 is the last day unpaid premiums for the previous year’s coverage will remain interest-free.
- November 30 is the last day to file a Declaration of Overwinter Colonies Report to declare and confirm the number of colonies placed in winter storage.
- May 15 (or 3 days prior to taking action in respect of the management and control of overwinter colonies, whichever comes first) is the last day to file a claim without a late fee.
- May 31 is the last day to file a Declaration of Overwinter Colonies Report. May 31 is also the last day to file a claim with late fees.
Reporting Deadlines
Once your colonies are placed in overwinter storage:
- November 30 is the last day to declare and confirm the number of colonies placed in winter storage by completing a Declaration of Overwinter Colonies Report*.
- May 31 is the last day to file a Declaration of Overwinter Colonies Mortality Report* to report the status of your colonies coming out of winter storage and file a claim (subject to late filing fees).
*These documents are only available as paper copies, and must be sent by mail, emailed, faxed, or delivered in-person to your local MASC Service Centre.
