NSW Farm Insurance

Yes, flood cover is available on most NSW farm policies, though it is sometimes optional rather than automatic. Properties in high-risk flood zones along the Hunter, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan or Hawkesbury rivers may face higher premiums or specific flood excesses. Given the frequency of flooding events in NSW, flood cover is strongly recommended.

Yes. Bushfire is a standard insured peril on all farm insurance policies in NSW. However, properties with a high Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating may attract higher premiums. Insurers also consider proximity to bushland, access roads and on-site firefighting equipment when pricing cover.

Yes. Named-peril crop insurance covering hail, fire and other specified events is widely available for NSW broadacre crops. Multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) providing broader cover including yield shortfall is also available through selected insurers. Hail cover is particularly important for the Central West and Riverina cropping regions.

Vineyards typically require specialist cover beyond a standard farm policy. Vineyard insurance includes crop cover for the vines and fruit, winery equipment and buildings, stock (bottled wine), cellar door liability, and product recall cover. At Shielded, we can source vineyard-specific packages from our insurer panel.

Yes. Livestock theft cover is available on most farm policies and covers the market value of stolen animals. Given the isolation of many NSW properties, particularly on the Western Plains and in the Central West, livestock theft remains a genuine risk that should be included in your cover.

Yes. If you employ workers on your NSW farm, including casual and seasonal labour, workers compensation insurance is compulsory under NSW law. This applies to all paid employees but generally does not extend to working family members who are partners or directors.

Major rural insurers operating in NSW include WFI, QBE, CGU, Elders Insurance, Zurich and Hollard. Each insurer has different strengths depending on the enterprise type and region. At Shielded, we compare quotes across our panel to find the best combination of cover and value for your specific NSW farming 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.