Farm and Ranch Insurance

For most ranching families, large tracts of land or real estate and personal property such as farm equipment, livestock, and buildings are their main assets. Losses can be caused by perils that affect any other kind of business such as fire or windstorms and also the death of livestock and even the destruction of crops by hail.

The most cost-effective and efficient way to obtain property and liability coverage for most farms or ranches is with a package policy that combines different coverages in a single insurance policy similar to a business owner’s policy but specifically made for a farm or ranch. These insurance policies will usually have provisions similar to property insurance and liability insurance sections of the business owner’s policy with the option to add various other insurance coverages that you may need.
The advantage of farm and ranch insurance is that it gives you a wide range of coverage at a less expensive cost than purchasing various separate insurance policies for different risks.

City folks think farming is just a simple life. But farming today is more complex than ever.

If you are uncertain about what your policy currently covers; if you have altered your farming processes from when you first got your policy; or if you’re concerned about increasing weather risks to crops, we can help.

We are farm insurance experts who will make sure your farm operations stay protected by faithful insurance. We have custom-fit policies for whatever Mother Nature (or her attorney) can throw at you, including:

• Traditional production farms and ranches
• Extra protection for expanding farms and ranches with commercial exposure
• Smaller farms and rural acreage
• Customization that fits the specific needs of your operation (see coverage options below)

What Is Farm and Ranch Owners Insurance?

Farming and ranching is your livelihood so obtaining insurance for your business is a must. Farm and ranch owners insurance is a dual coverage that safeguards your business operation and the home that you live in. With this kind of insurance, you’ll have a custom combination of homeowners coverage and business insurance with additional more options to fit the needs of your farm or ranch.

What’s covered?

Your base policy typically protects farm homes, buildings, machinery, equipment and livestock, all the coverage the average farm and ranch operations require. Then, we will discuss optional coverages you can tailor fit to meet your exact needs. That means, you only pay for the protection you need, and nothing you don’t.

Coverage for Your Farm or Ranch may also include:

• Disruption of farming operations in case of extra expenses and loss of income caused by a covered loss to a building or piece of equipment.
• Identity fraud expense coverage that can reimburse you for covered expenses incurred in restoring your identity.
• Earthquake coverage for farms and ranches with fault lines nearby.
• Farm machinery and equipment replacement coverage for equipment up to five years old.
• Peak season coverage endorsement for harvest times, or when you have greater than average quantities of product in storage on your property.
• Sewer/sump pump backup… just in case.
• Temperature sensitive endorsement for covering temperature-sensitive products, as a result of a temperature control fluctuation.
• Household property protection for your household contents, including gold, furs, firearms, electronics, and more.

Your operation is more than a business, it’s a legacy, a livelihood and your personal version of the American dream. Let us help you protect the things you care about most.

Standard policies may include:

• Rental reimbursement on farm machinery and equipment while you wait for yours to be repaired
• Equipment breakdown for fixed equipment in outbuildings
• GPS equipment in case of loss by special causes
• Cab glass repair or replacement
• Foreign object damage to combines
• Damage during towing and hitching
• Farm machinery contact with roadbed or ground
• Borrowed farm machinery covering primary
• Fire extinguisher recharge

Property Insurance

Property insurance usually covers dwellings found on the property of your farm. This includes mobile homes, household personal property, and other farm structures. Your mobile agricultural machinery and equipment are also covered. Furthermore, the loss of use of any of this property is also covered.

There are other kinds of property insurance coverage for farming or ranching operations that you should also consider:

• Transportation floater – this provides coverage for your property while in transit either to you or while being delivered to your customer or client.
• Livestock coverage – this coverage is for the loss due to death or necessary destruction of farm animals such as cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, mules, and donkeys.
• Crop insurance –this covers growing crops from loss or damage due to different perils such as hail and windstorm, damage by wildlife, unfavorable weather conditions, insect infestation, and other kinds of peril. The U.S. federal government and private insurance companies provide different kinds of coverage for crops.

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance protects you, the farmer or rancher, or similar agricultural establishment owner from claims against bodily injury or property damage caused by a certain incident involving the premises or operations up to your policy limit. You also have the choice of adding additional coverage through coverage. One example is when you lease employees from labor-leasing firms, there is an endorsement to add additional coverage for injury to your leased workers.

Business Vehicle Insurance

The farmer’s package policy, however, does not cover any vehicles including your cars, trucks, or trailers that are designed for use on public roadways. You need separate motor vehicle insurance for these.

Your personal car insurance policy offers coverage for some business use of your vehicle. A personal auto policy will not provide coverage if the vehicle you use is primarily for your business. It will also not provide coverage for any vehicle owned by a business.
An injured person could sue you personally if you drive your truck for business purposes and you suddenly get into an accident which you are liable for. If your personal auto insurance policy does not have enough coverage to pay for all the damages, a lawsuit may be filed against your business. You may want to discuss with your insurance agent whether you need to opt for a business auto insurance policy.

Workers Compensation Insurance

States have different rules regarding workers’ compensation insurance. In some states, rules are different for agricultural operations than for other businesses. You should check with your state department of workers compensation if you have three or more employees to see if you are required to provide workers compensation insurance.

Why We’re Different

You may think you want the cheapest insurance you can find, but realize you may not be getting everything you bargained for…

While most insurance products are similar in price and function, insurance providers are very different when it comes to structuring a policy that actually covers you.

There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all insurance policy when it comes to your business.

We’re your neighbors. We protect businesses and people we know and care about, and that means we always look for ways to protect you better, including carefully choosing the insurance companies we represent to be both affordable and responsive.

Contact us and let the professionals at our company help you forge the strongest shield possible to help you protect the things you are working hard to build.