Western Australia Farm Insurance

Yes. Frost cover for broadacre crops is available through multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) products. Given that frost is one of the most significant perils facing Wheatbelt grain growers, this cover is strongly recommended despite the additional premium. Named-peril policies covering hail and fire are more affordable but do not include frost.

Yes. Cyclone and storm damage is a standard insured peril on farm policies covering Kimberley, Pilbara and Gascoyne properties. Premiums are significantly higher in these cyclone-prone zones, and building construction type and wind ratings affect pricing. Ensure your sums insured reflect the true replacement cost including freight to remote locations.

Large-scale Wheatbelt operations benefit from specialist insurance programs that properly account for expensive machinery fleets (headers, seeding rigs, sprayers), extensive grain storage, multiple property locations and high crop values. At Shielded, we structure multi-property farm insurance programs across our insurer panel to ensure comprehensive cover and competitive pricing at scale.

Machinery breakdown cover is available as an add-on to most farm insurance policies. Given the scale and value of machinery used on WA broadacre operations, and the cost and delay of sourcing parts and repairs in remote areas, machinery breakdown cover is a worthwhile addition to your program.

Yes. Livestock transit cover protects animals during road transport between properties, to saleyards and to abattoirs. Given the long distances involved in transporting livestock across WA, particularly from pastoral stations in the Kimberley and Pilbara, transit cover is an important component of any comprehensive livestock insurance program.

Yes. Workers compensation insurance is compulsory for all Western Australian employers, including farm businesses with paid employees. This is managed through WorkCover WA. All paid workers including casual, seasonal and contract labour must be covered.

Major rural insurers operating in WA include WFI, QBE, CGU, Elders Insurance, Zurich and Hollard. Insurer appetite varies by region and enterprise type, with some more competitive in broadacre cropping and others stronger in pastoral operations. At Shielded, we compare options across our panel to secure the best cover for your WA 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.