Farm Motor Vehicle Insurance

Tractors and self-propelled machinery can be insured under a farm motor vehicle policy or under the machinery section of a farm package. The best approach depends on the vehicle type and how it is used. Tractors that never leave the property are often covered under farm contents or machinery sections rather than motor vehicle cover.

Yes. Quad bikes, ATVs and side-by-side vehicles used for farm work can be insured under a farm motor vehicle or farm package policy. Given the high rate of ATV accidents on farms, comprehensive cover is recommended. Some insurers may require evidence of rollover protection or operator training for ATVs.

Unregistered vehicles used only on the farm (such as paddock bikes, tractors and some farm trucks) can typically be insured under a farm package or farm motor policy. However, they will not have the compulsory third-party (CTP) injury cover that comes with registration. If an unregistered vehicle injures someone, your farm public liability policy would need to respond.

Yes, provided the employee is a licensed driver and is using the vehicle with your permission for farm-related purposes. Some policies restrict cover to nominated drivers only, so check whether your policy covers any authorised driver or only listed drivers. Employees under 25 may attract a higher excess.

Standard farm motor policies typically cover factory-fitted accessories. Aftermarket modifications such as bull bars, toolboxes, canopies, suspension lifts and communication equipment need to be declared and their value added to the sum insured. Undeclared modifications may not be covered at claim time.

If your vehicle is a total loss, the insurer pays either the agreed value or market value depending on your policy type, minus any applicable excess. With agreed value cover, you know exactly what you will receive. With market value, the payout is based on the insurer's assessment of the vehicle's pre-loss market value, which may be less than you expect.

Major farm motor vehicle insurers include WFI, Elders Insurance, QBE, CGU, Zurich and Hollard. Some offer farm motor as a standalone product while others include it within a farm package policy. At Shielded, we compare options across our insurer panel to find the right cover and pricing for your farm fleet.

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.