Aquaculture & Fish Farm Insurance

Yes. Stock mortality cover typically includes losses from disease, though specific diseases may be excluded or subject to waiting periods depending on the insurer and the species being farmed. Operations with documented biosecurity protocols, disease surveillance programmes and veterinary oversight are better positioned to secure comprehensive disease cover.

Yes. Aquaculture policies cover sea cages, pontoons, nets, mooring systems and associated infrastructure against storm, cyclone, wave damage and collision. Offshore and exposed coastal sites face higher premiums due to increased weather risk. Ensure your sums insured cover full replacement and reinstallation costs.

Yes. Stock mortality caused by harmful algal blooms is generally covered under aquaculture insurance policies. Algal blooms can cause mass mortality within hours, making adequate stock cover essential. Some policies may require evidence of water quality monitoring and early warning systems as a condition of cover.

Yes. Environmental liability cover is increasingly important for aquaculture operations and may be required by lease authorities and regulators. It covers claims arising from pollution, chemical discharge, fish escapes and environmental damage caused by your operation. This cover protects against both third-party claims and clean-up costs.

Yes. Inland aquaculture operations, including pond, raceway and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), can be insured under specialist aquaculture policies. Cover extends to stock, infrastructure, equipment and liability. Inland operations may face different risk profiles than coastal farms, with greater exposure to water supply reliability and less exposure to marine storm events.

Yes. Losses from predator attack, including seals, sharks, birds and other wildlife damaging nets or killing stock, are typically covered under aquaculture stock and infrastructure policies. Insurers may require evidence of predator deterrent measures such as predator nets, acoustic devices and regular net inspections.

Aquaculture insurance in Australia is provided by specialist insurers and underwriting agencies including WFI, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and Elders Insurance, along with London market insurers that specialise in aquaculture risks. At Shielded, we access our full insurer panel to find the most appropriate cover for your aquaculture operation, regardless of species or scale.

Australian farm insurance typically includes cover for farm buildings and structures, contents and machinery, livestock, crops, public liability, farm motor vehicles, and business interruption. Most insurers offer a farm package policy that bundles these covers together. At Shielded, we compare packages from insurers like WFI, Elders, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and others to find the right combination for your operation.

Farm insurance premiums vary significantly based on property value, location, farm type, and the covers selected. A basic hobby farm package may cost $1,500 to $4,000 per year, while a large broadacre or cattle operation could range from $5,000 to $20,000 or more. Factors like bushfire or flood risk zones, claims history, and the value of machinery and livestock all affect pricing. Request a free quote through Shielded for an accurate indication.

Crop insurance is usually an optional add-on to a standard farm package, not included by default. It protects against losses from hail, frost, fire, flood and other weather events that affect crop yield and quality. Multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) provides broader cover but is priced based on your specific crop type, location and historical yields.

Most comprehensive farm insurance policies include cover for bushfire, storm and flood damage to buildings, contents, machinery and fencing. However, coverage limits and excesses can vary significantly depending on your property's risk rating. Properties in high-risk bushfire or flood zones may face higher premiums or specific excess levels. It is important to review your policy details and sum insured amounts regularly.

Farm liability insurance (also called public liability) protects you against claims for bodily injury or property damage caused by your farming operations. If a visitor, contractor or neighbour is injured on your property, or your livestock escape and cause damage, liability cover pays for legal costs and compensation. Most farm package policies include $10M to $20M of public liability cover as standard.

Farm machinery and equipment are typically covered under the contents and machinery section of a farm package policy. However, high-value items like harvesters, headers, tractors and irrigation equipment should be individually listed with accurate sum insured values. Portable equipment and items used away from the property may need additional cover. Review your sums insured annually as replacement costs increase.

Contact us at Shielded Insurance on 1800 97 98 99 or reach out to your insurer directly. We recommend notifying us as soon as possible after a loss event, documenting the damage with photos, and keeping records of all related expenses. Our team will guide you through the claims process.

Yes. Hobby farms and lifestyle properties can be insured under specialist rural property policies or scaled-down farm packages. These policies typically cover the dwelling, sheds and outbuildings, fencing, a small number of livestock, hobby machinery and public liability. Insurers like CGU, WFI and QBE all offer hobby farm products. Premiums are generally lower than commercial farm policies.

We compare farm insurance quotes from a wide panel of Australian rural insurers including WFI, Elders Insurance, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard, Nutrien Ag Solutions and others. The best insurer for your situation depends on your farm type, location, and the specific covers you need. As brokers, we do the comparison work for you.

Review your farm insurance annually at renewal, or whenever there are significant changes to your operation - such as purchasing new machinery, building new structures, expanding acreage, adding livestock, or changing your farming activities. Building costs and machinery replacement values increase over time, so keeping your sums insured up to date is essential to avoid being underinsured at claim time.