Orchard Insurance

Yes. Crop cover for orchards specifically includes hail damage to fruit on the tree. Hail is one of the most common and costly perils for orchards, particularly in inland growing regions. Cover is based on expected yield and market price, and policies are typically placed before flowering each season.

Yes. Orchard policies cover the capital value of established fruit trees destroyed by bushfire, including the cost of replanting and the loss of income during the re-establishment period. Given that fruit trees can take 3 to 15 years to reach full production depending on the variety, this extended loss cover is critical for orchard viability.

Yes. Packing sheds, coolstores, grading equipment, forklifts and stored fruit are all covered under a comprehensive orchard insurance policy. Ensure your sums insured reflect current replacement costs for buildings and equipment, and that your stock limit accounts for peak inventory levels during and immediately after harvest.

Yes. Permanent hail netting, bird netting, posts, cables and supporting structures can be insured under the property section of an orchard policy. Given the high cost of netting installation, ensure your sum insured covers full replacement. Storm damage to netting is one of the most frequent claims in covered orchards.

Yes. If members of the public visit your orchard for pick-your-own fruit, farm gate purchases, orchard tours or other agri-tourism activities, you need public liability cover for these activities. Ensure they are specifically declared on your policy. Standard orchard liability may not automatically extend to visitor-facing activities.

Yes. Frost cover is available as part of multi-peril crop insurance or as a named peril option for orchards. Cover applies when frost events during flowering or fruit set reduce yield below insured levels. Frost is a significant risk in many Australian fruit growing regions, particularly in elevated and inland areas.

Specialist rural insurers offering orchard cover in Australia include WFI, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and Elders Insurance. Each insurer has different appetite for fruit types, orchard sizes and geographic regions. At Shielded, we compare options across our panel to find the best combination of cover and premium for your orchard 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.