Hobby Farm Insurance

A hobby farm insurance package typically costs between $1,500 and $5,000 per year depending on property value, location, livestock numbers, machinery value and the covers selected. Properties in high bushfire or flood risk zones may attract higher premiums. The best way to get an accurate price is to request a free quote through Shielded.

Yes. Even a small number of livestock creates risks that standard home insurance does not cover. If your animals escape and cause a road accident or damage a neighbour's property, you could face significant liability. Hobby farm insurance provides both livestock cover and the public liability protection you need.

Yes. Most hobby farm policies include cover for bushfire damage to buildings, fencing, contents, machinery and livestock. However, properties in designated bushfire-prone areas may face higher premiums or specific excess levels. Ensure your sums insured reflect current replacement costs, particularly for fencing which is expensive to rebuild.

Yes. Small-scale produce sales (farm gate, local markets) are generally covered under a hobby farm policy. However, if your farming income exceeds certain thresholds, some insurers may classify your property as a commercial farm requiring a full farm package. Discuss your revenue levels with your broker.

Yes. Most hobby farm policies cover tractors, ride-on mowers, quad bikes and other farm machinery under the contents and machinery section. Ensure each item is listed with an accurate sum insured value. Tractors used on public roads may need separate registration and motor vehicle cover.

Some hobby farm policies include basic livestock mortality cover that extends to horses, while others exclude equine cover or offer it as an optional add-on. If you keep horses, check the policy wording carefully or discuss specialist equine cover options with your broker.

Specialist hobby farm insurers in Australia include WFI, CGU, QBE, Elders Insurance, Hollard and Zurich. Each has different eligibility criteria - some limit acreage or livestock numbers. At Shielded, we compare options across these insurers to find the best fit for your property and activities.

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.