Stock Transit Insurance

The carrier's liability is typically limited to a low per-kilogram or per-unit amount that is well below market value. Many carrier contracts also exclude weather events, inherent vice and loading incidents. Stock transit insurance covers the full agreed or market value of your livestock regardless of carrier liability limitations.

Some farm package policies include a basic level of transit cover, but it is often limited to a low per-consignment value or restricted to certain goods types. If you regularly transport high-value livestock, grain or other goods, a dedicated transit section or standalone policy is recommended. Check your current policy or ask your Shielded broker.

Yes. Stock transit insurance covers your goods regardless of who provides the transport. Whether you use your own vehicles, a contract carrier or a combination of both, the cover applies from loading through to unloading at the destination. This is particularly important for self-transport, where carrier liability does not exist.

Yes. Most stock transit policies cover the full journey including loading at the origin, transport and unloading at the destination. Loading and unloading are high-risk periods for livestock injury, making this a valuable aspect of cover.

Cover for heat stress during transport varies between policies. Some insurers include it as standard, while others exclude it or require specific conditions to be met (such as transport not occurring above certain temperature thresholds). Given the significant risk of heat stress in Australian conditions, confirm this with your broker before relying on it.

Yes. Single transit policies are available for one-off high-value movements, such as transporting stud cattle to a sale, moving expensive machinery or shipping a large wool clip. Single transit cover is arranged before the journey and covers that specific consignment from origin to destination.

Stock transit insurance is available from WFI, Elders Insurance, QBE, CGU, Zurich and Hollard, either as a standalone policy or a section within a farm package. At Shielded, we compare options across our insurer panel to find the most competitive transit cover for your 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.