Victoria Farm Insurance

Yes. Bushfire is a standard insured peril on all Victorian farm policies. However, properties with high Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings face higher premiums. Insurers consider proximity to bushland, access roads, on-site water supplies and firefighting equipment when pricing cover. Ensuring your sums insured are accurate is critical, as rebuilding costs after bushfire are often higher than expected.

Flood cover is available on most Victorian farm policies but may be optional depending on the insurer and your location. Properties along the Murray, Goulburn, Campaspe, Loddon and Avoca river systems should prioritise flood cover given the frequency of flooding events in northern Victoria. Specific flood excesses may apply.

Dairy farms have specific insurance needs beyond a standard farm policy. Milking parlours, refrigeration vats, effluent systems, dairy plant and the herd itself all require adequate cover. Products liability is also important for milk supply operations. At Shielded, we source dairy-specific packages from insurers experienced in writing Victorian dairy operations.

Yes. Frost cover for broadacre crops and vineyards is available through multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) products. Named-peril crop insurance covering hail and fire is more widely available and affordable. Frost is a significant risk in the Wimmera, Mallee, North East and elevated vineyard regions.

Yes. Livestock theft cover is available on most farm policies and covers the market value of stolen animals. While Victoria is more densely settled than some states, livestock theft remains a genuine risk, particularly for properties in remote areas of the Western District, Wimmera and North East.

Yes. Workers compensation insurance is compulsory for all Victorian employers with paid employees, including farm businesses. This is managed through WorkSafe Victoria. All paid workers, including casual and seasonal labour, must be covered.

Major rural insurers operating in Victoria include WFI, QBE, CGU, Elders Insurance, Zurich and Hollard. Each 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 premium for your Victorian 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.