Harvester & Header Insurance

Yes. Most policies cover fire regardless of whether it starts externally (bushfire) or internally (mechanical fire within the harvester). However, insurers may require that you maintain fire prevention measures such as clean engine bays, on-board extinguishers and operational firebreaks as conditions of the cover.

Header fronts can usually be listed as separate items with their own sum insured under your farm machinery section. This is important because a header front is often worth $100,000 to $250,000 and may be stored separately from the harvester body. Ensure each front you own is individually listed on the policy schedule.

Most farm policies include transit cover for machinery being moved between properties or to a dealer. However, if you are a contract harvester travelling long distances between jobs, check that your policy explicitly covers road transit for commercial purposes. Some policies limit transit cover to a specified radius from the home property.

If you lease a harvester, the leasing company's policy may cover the machine, but you should confirm this in writing. If you are responsible for insuring the leased machine, it can usually be added to your farm policy for the lease period. Always clarify insurance responsibilities before the lease commences.

GPS guidance systems, yield monitors, auto-steer units and other precision agriculture technology can usually be included in your harvester's sum insured. List these items individually on your policy schedule with their replacement values, as they can add $30,000 to $80,000 to the total insured value.

Yes. Storing the harvester in a locked shed during the off-season, fitting GPS tracking, installing a fire suppression system, maintaining a claims-free record and selecting a higher excess can all reduce your premium. Some insurers also offer discounts when the harvester is part of a broader farm package policy.

Major rural insurers offering harvester and header cover include WFI, QBE, CGU, Elders Insurance, Zurich and Hollard. Cover terms vary significantly between insurers, particularly around fire conditions, transit limits and valuation methods. At Shielded, we compare options across these insurers to find the best cover for your harvesting equipment.

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.