Market Garden Insurance

Yes. Crop cover for market gardens includes hail damage to vegetables and other produce in the field. For crops grown under protective netting or greenhouse cover, the structure itself and the crop inside can both be insured. Hail is one of the most common causes of crop loss for open-field market gardens.

Yes. Market garden insurance covers greenhouses, polytunnels, shade houses and hydroponic structures against storm, fire, vandalism, accidental damage and other insured perils. Ensure your sum insured reflects the full replacement cost of the structure, internal systems and any crop growing inside at the time of loss.

Yes. Goods in transit cover protects harvested produce during delivery to markets, restaurants, supermarkets and distribution centres. Cover applies to loss or damage from vehicle accidents, refrigeration failure, theft and other perils. If you use your own vehicles, ensure both the vehicle and the goods carried are adequately insured.

Yes. If you sell produce to the public, restaurants, retailers or wholesalers, product liability cover is essential. It protects you against claims arising from foodborne illness, contamination or foreign objects in your produce. This cover is typically included in a comprehensive market garden policy under the products liability section.

Yes. Irrigation pumps, pipes, drip lines, sprinklers, fertigation systems, dams and water storage tanks are covered under the property section of a market garden policy. Machinery breakdown cover can also be extended to irrigation pumps and control systems to protect against sudden mechanical or electrical failure.

Flood cover availability depends on your location and the insurer. Many market gardens are located on floodplains due to their fertile soils and water access. Some insurers offer flood cover as a standard inclusion, while others offer it as an option or exclude high-risk properties. Check the flood cover position carefully when comparing policies.

Market garden insurance is available from specialist rural and commercial insurers including WFI, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and Elders Insurance. Each insurer has different appetite for protected cropping, crop types and operation sizes. At Shielded, we compare options across our panel to find the most suitable cover for your market garden.

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.