Farmers count on crop insurance to help cover losses. Bad weather, drought, and insect damage can devastate your business, but crop insurance can help mitigate that damage. Finding out what you can to ensure early is the key. This blog post will shed light on insurable crops.
Which Crops Are Insurable and Which are Not? What to Know
Insurable crops are designated crops that are protected from natural disasters like droughts and floods. Insurable crops are protected from losses through federal crop insurance.
Insurance is offered on certain crops grown in designated counties that participate in the federal crop insurance program. These crops must be grown in a geographical area and within a growing season specified for the crop. The crops are grouped by type, such as:
Grains and oilseeds
Fruits
Nursery crops
Certain sod crops
Certain floriculture crops
Certain crops grown in designated counties that do not participate in the federal crop insurance program are also insurable, including:
Vegetables
Fruits
Nursery crops
Certain sod crops
Certain floriculture crops
What Crops Are Not Insurable?
Some crops are not insurable, including:
Crops Not Eligible for Crop Insurance
Because of their high value, the following crops are not eligible for crop insurance:
Almonds
Citrus
Confectionary and tropical fruits
Espaliered fruit
Grapes
Fruit orchards
Kiwifruit
Certain fruits
Cultivated mushrooms
Below are some examples of crops that are not insurable but are also not eligible for crop insurance.
Orchard crops
Tree nuts
Fruits
Banana
Asparagus
Avocados
Cherimoya
Date
Grafted fruit
Olives
Sugarcane
Arugula
Bok choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
How Crop Insurance Helps Farmers and the Economy
It helps farmers manage risk and is an important risk management tool for producers. Crop insurance:
Helps farmers buy needed inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, and chemicals
Decreases wasteful land use
Helps keep farmland in production
Increases the availability of fresh food
Helps stabilize rural economies
Encourages long-term investment and private sector development in rural areas
The crop insurance program has been successful in helping farmers manage risk and is viewed by many farmers as a safety net. It is important to understand the insurable policies and what is not insurable when choosing crop insurance.
Who Benefits From Federal Crop Insurance?
The crop insurance program provides a safety net for farmers when they are unable to produce an adequate crop. Eligible policyholders receive payment based on an approved yield and actual production, but total payment is limited.
Why Don’t All Farmers Purchase Crop Insurance?
Crop insurance is not for everyone. It is an important risk management tool for farmers and is essential for farmers who cannot afford to lose their entire crop in the event of a disaster.
However, it is not a wise decision for farmers who are able to manage the risk of crop loss. They could rely on other strategies, such as a savings account, to aid them if they experience a loss. The strategy that makes the most sense is to use a combination of strategies, such as funds saved and crop insurance.
Conclusion
All farmers need to assess their financial situation and decide if crop insurance makes sense for them. They also need to understand what types of crops are not insurable and determine if that is a risk they are willing to take.
Work with one of the top crop insurance companies in California by contacting Crop Insurance Services by AMS. We provide comprehensive protection with named peril, multiple perils, commercial ag, revenue protection, and more. We have offices nationwide.
