Questions to Ask Your Agent During Your Farm/Ranch Insurance Policy Review

May 30, 2019 2 min read

Since your needs can change quickly, it’s necessary to review your farm and ranch coverages with your local Farm Bureau agent on an annual basis to help make sure your ag operation is protected. It can feel overwhelming when you think about all the things that could go wrong on your farm, but your agent is available to help make sure you have the coverages in place to protect your livelihood and future. Consider asking these types of questions when you meet with your Farm Bureau agent:

What’s my deductible?

When meeting with your agent, it’s good to ask this question to help ensure the amount still fits your needs and it’s not too high or too low.

Am I eligible for discounts?

Who doesn’t like to save money? The benefit of reviewing your coverage(s) with your agent on an annual basis is you could uncover potential savings that you didn’t qualify for the year before

I just hired two employees for my farm, what type of coverages should I consider?

Because accidents can happen, one coverage you might want to consider obtaining is workers’ compensation insurance. This type of coverage can protect you as the business owner, and your business from the high cost of unexpected workplace injuries to your employees. While benefits vary by state, workers’ compensation insurance offers protection in the event of an employee injury. This coverage generally provides benefits to an injured worker or the worker’s dependents for medical, disability benefits, rehabilitation and death benefits.

I’m looking at buying a new tractor. How can I protect it?

New farm equipment often comes with a big price tag. You want to be sure your new tractor is protected. With Replacement Cost Coverage for Farm Machinery, if your machinery is damaged beyond reasonable repair  due to fire, collision or other covered occurrence, we’ll help pay to replace it. This means with equipment of the same make and similar model, without depreciation. Our coverage is for machinery up to eight years old. Coverage applies to combines, tractors, skid loaders, backhoes, planters, sprayers, cotton pickers and balers.

I’ve expanded my farming operation to include livestock. What coverages are available to help me protect my bottom line?

If you live in an area that experiences extreme weather, like severe cold, the elements can be dangerous to your livestock. Our livestock freezing or smothering coverage, covers blizzard-related livestock loss. We also offer suffocation coverage, for loss of livestock in confinement due to suffocation.

Do I have enough liability coverage?

You may want to consider an umbrella policy. This type of coverage provides liability protection over and above the limits on your farm or ranch liability policy for lawsuits and liability judgments. Umbrella coverage can play an important role in your farm or ranch liability insurance strategy.

How can crop insurance protect my ag operation?

Weather can be harsh and unpredictable. Our certified crop and livestock agents can help you get the coverage you need to manage your operation’s specific risks. Through our relationship with Rain and Hail, LLC., we can offer a full suite of crop insurance products including, federal crop insurance, crop hail, livestock and specialty crop lines.   

Coverage for your entire operation

When you work with us, you can rest assured knowing your agent will spend time with you at your farm or ranch, learning about your operations and the unique risks you face. We understand your needs are specific to your operation. That’s why we offer customizable coverage for your farm or ranch needs. Connect with a local Farm Bureau agent to schedule you On-Site SuperCheck today! With an annual On-Site SuperCheck your agents will conduct a thorough analysis of your farm or ranch operation. The results will help ensure your coverage is always just as it should be.

Want to learn more?

Contact a local FBFS agent or advisor for answers personalized to you.