Grain Cropping Insurance

Yes. Hail is the most commonly claimed peril under Australian crop insurance. Named peril crop policies cover hail damage to grain and oilseed crops from emergence through to harvest. Cover pays out based on the assessed yield loss caused by the hail event, and claims are typically adjusted by independent crop assessors.

Yes. Grain stored in silos, bunkers, sheds and field bins is covered against fire, lightning, storm and other insured perils. Ensure your sum insured reflects the maximum value of grain held on-farm at peak storage, which for many farms occurs immediately after harvest. If you store grain for third parties, this should also be declared.

Yes. Headers are covered against fire under the machinery section of your farm policy. Header fires during harvest are a well-known risk, and most policies cover damage to the machine itself. Separate crop cover protects the value of any standing crop destroyed by a fire originating from your header or machinery.

Multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) covers yield shortfall below a guaranteed level, regardless of the cause. Unlike named peril policies that only cover specific listed events like hail and fire, MPCI provides broader protection including against drought and frost-related yield loss. MPCI carries a higher premium and may require historical yield records for underwriting. Your broker can help you assess whether MPCI is appropriate for your operation.

Yes. Frost cover is available either as a named peril or as part of a multi-peril crop insurance policy. Frost during flowering and grain fill can cause significant yield loss in wheat, canola and pulses. Named peril frost cover is increasingly available from Australian crop insurers, though terms and pricing vary by region and crop type.

Yes. Public liability cover on a grain farm policy can include claims arising from chemical spray drift onto neighbouring properties, including damage to crops, livestock and sensitive areas. Spray drift claims can be significant, particularly when herbicides damage high-value horticultural crops on adjacent land. Ensure your liability cover explicitly addresses this exposure.

Grain farm and crop insurance is available from specialist rural insurers including WFI, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and Elders Insurance. Each has different appetite for crop types, farm sizes and geographic regions. At Shielded, we compare options across our insurer panel to build the most competitive package for your grain cropping operation.

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.