Livestock Insurance

Most standard livestock policies exclude death from disease or illness. Disease cover is sometimes available as an optional extension at additional premium, but availability is limited and conditions apply. For operations where disease risk is a major concern, discuss specialist options with your Shielded broker.

Yes. Livestock theft cover is available as part of most livestock insurance policies or farm packages. Given that stock theft costs Australian farmers tens of millions of dollars each year, theft cover is strongly recommended. You will typically need to demonstrate reasonable security measures such as secure fencing and identification (ear tags, NLIS).

Yes. Stud bulls, stallions, elite breeding stock and other high-value animals can be insured individually on an agreed value basis. The agreed value is set at the start of the policy based on purchase price, independent valuation or comparable sales. Individual cover provides certainty about the payout in the event of loss.

Transit cover is available under most livestock policies, either as standard or as an optional extension. It covers death or injury during loading, transport by road or rail, and unloading at the destination. Transit cover is particularly important when moving stock to saleyards, feedlots or between properties.

Horses can be covered under a general livestock policy, but due to higher individual values, equine insurance is often arranged as a standalone policy. Equine cover can include mortality, theft, veterinary fees, loss of use and transit. Racehorses, performance horses and broodmares each have specific cover options.

You will typically need to provide a veterinary report or certificate confirming the cause of death, proof of ownership (NLIS records, purchase receipts, stock agent statements), details of the event (fire report, police report for theft, photos), and evidence of the animal's value. Keeping accurate stock records makes the claims process significantly smoother.

Specialist livestock insurers in Australia include WFI, Elders Insurance, QBE, CGU, Zurich and Hollard. Each has different strengths depending on stock type, herd size and location. At Shielded, we compare options across our insurer panel to find the best cover and pricing for your livestock 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.