Vineyard & Winery Insurance

Yes. Specialist vineyard policies cover the destruction of established vines by bushfire, including the cost of replanting and the loss of income during the re-establishment period (typically three to five years). Properties in designated bushfire-prone areas may face higher premiums or specific excess levels. A documented bushfire management plan can support your insurance application.

Yes. Vineyard and winery policies cover bulk wine in tank, wine ageing in barrel and bottled stock against fire, storm, theft, accidental damage, leakage and spoilage. Ensure your sum insured reflects the current market value of your stock, which increases as wine ages and appreciates.

Cellar door liability is typically included within a comprehensive vineyard and winery policy under the public liability section. However, if you host weddings, concerts, festivals or operate a restaurant, you should ensure these specific activities are declared and covered. Alcohol service creates additional liability obligations that must be properly addressed in the policy.

Machinery breakdown cover is available as a standard inclusion or optional extension depending on the insurer. It covers sudden mechanical or electrical failure of winemaking equipment such as presses, refrigeration units, pumps and bottling lines. This cover is particularly important during vintage when equipment failure can result in spoilage of an entire crush.

Yes. Crop insurance for vineyards covers loss or damage to grapes on the vine from hail, frost, storm and fire. Cover is typically based on expected yield and contracted grape price. Policies are usually taken out before the growing season and run through to harvest. Named peril and multi-peril options are available depending on the insurer.

Specialist vineyard policies can include cover for loss of production during the vine re-establishment period, which is typically three to five years for new plantings to reach commercial yield. This cover compensates for the income you would have earned from the destroyed vines while replacement vines mature, as well as the cost of replanting.

Vineyard and winery insurance is offered by specialist rural and commercial insurers including WFI, QBE, CGU, Zurich, Hollard and Elders Insurance. Each insurer has different appetite for vineyard size, wine stock values and hospitality activities. At Shielded, we compare options across our panel to find the most competitive cover for your vineyard or winery.

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.