Tasmania Farm Insurance

Yes. Storm and wind damage is a standard insured peril on all Tasmanian farm policies. Given the state's exposure to Southern Ocean weather systems, storm cover is particularly important for properties on the North West Coast, West Coast and Bass Strait islands. Ensure your sums insured reflect current replacement costs for buildings, fencing and infrastructure.

Dairy farms have specific insurance needs including cover for milking parlours, refrigeration vats, effluent systems, dairy plant, the milking herd and products liability for milk supply. Tasmania's dairy sector is concentrated on the North West Coast where storm exposure adds to the risk profile. At Shielded, we source dairy-specific packages from insurers experienced in writing Tasmanian dairy operations.

Yes. Crop insurance for cherries, apples, stone fruit and vineyard grapes covers named perils including hail, frost, fire and storm. Given the high per-hectare value of Tasmanian cherry and premium fruit crops, crop cover is strongly recommended. Multi-peril crop insurance providing broader protection is also available through selected insurers.

Flood cover is available on most Tasmanian farm policies but may be optional depending on the insurer. Properties along the Mersey, Derwent, Huon and South Esk river systems should prioritise flood cover. Specific flood excesses may apply in high-risk zones. The cost of flood cover in Tasmania is generally more affordable than in high-risk mainland flood areas.

Yes. Farm insurance is available for King Island and Flinders Island properties. However, the remoteness of these islands means replacement costs for buildings, fencing and infrastructure are higher due to freight and contractor travel. Ensure your sums insured account for these additional costs. Some insurers are more experienced with island properties than others.

Yes. Workers compensation insurance is compulsory for all Tasmanian employers, including farm businesses with paid employees. This is managed through WorkSafe Tasmania. All paid workers including casual, seasonal and contract labour must be covered under the Tasmanian workers rehabilitation and compensation scheme.

Major rural insurers operating in Tasmania include WFI, QBE, CGU, Elders Insurance, Zurich and Hollard. Insurer appetite and competitiveness varies by enterprise type and location. At Shielded, we compare quotes across our panel to find the best combination of cover and value for your Tasmanian 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.