Horse Stud Insurance

Yes. Most equine mortality policies cover death of the mare or foal resulting from foaling complications, including dystocia and emergency caesarean section. Some policies also cover veterinary fees for emergency foaling intervention. Cover for the foal typically commences from birth or a specified number of days after birth depending on the insurer.

Stallion fertility cover is available as a specialist extension. It pays an agreed amount if the stallion becomes permanently infertile due to accident or illness during the policy period. This cover is particularly important for studs that derive significant income from service fees. Pre-policy fertility testing is usually required by the insurer.

Transit cover is typically included in equine mortality policies or available as an extension. It covers horses during road, rail and air transport. Check that your policy covers all transport scenarios relevant to your operation, including trips to veterinary clinics, sales, competitions and other studs. Some policies require the use of licensed horse transport operators.

Horse studs should carry a minimum of $20M public and products liability cover. The high frequency of third-party visitors, the unpredictable nature of horses, and the potential for serious injury claims make adequate liability cover essential. If you sell horses commercially, products liability is also important to protect against claims related to the condition or suitability of horses sold.

Yes. Most stud policies allow you to insure high-value horses on an individual named basis with a specific agreed value, while covering the broader herd under a blanket section. This approach gives you tailored cover on your most valuable animals and cost-effective protection for the rest.

Yes. Horse stud policies cover bushfire damage to property, structures, fencing, equipment and livestock. In high bushfire risk areas, premiums may be higher and specific excesses may apply. Having a documented bushfire management plan, including asset protection zones and safe horse evacuation procedures, can help demonstrate good risk management to insurers.

Specialist horse stud and equine insurers available in Australia include WFI, QBE, CGU, Hollard, Zurich and Elders Insurance, along with Lloyd's of London syndicates that underwrite equine risks. Each has different appetite for bloodstock values, herd sizes and breeding activities. At Shielded, we compare options across our insurer panel to find the right fit for your stud 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.