Insurance Buying Guide for Agriculture Businesses

Write down whether your team demonstrates equipment, applies an input, collects data, or operates a grower’s machinery. Identify who owns each device and crop, who controls the activity, and what damage a customer agreement assigns to you. These details help the broker distinguish company property from a grower’s crop.^[1][2]

If the grower asks about federal crop insurance, do not present your business policy as a substitute. USDA’s prevented-planting guidance turns on the insured crop, county, planting dates, insured cause, and eligibility conditions; the grower should confirm crop-specific terms with their agent.^[2]

Before sending employees into fields, give the broker their duties, seasonal pattern, states, and vehicle use. For a California farm or farm-labor arrangement, ask specifically whether statutory exceptions or thresholds apply; a broad employer summary does not resolve an individual arrangement.^[1]

For equipment left at a farm, moved between farms, or returned for repair, compare the property schedule with the trial plan. Ask separately about fixed-site property, property in transit, and customer-owned property, including values and deductibles.^[1]

Bring the contract or trial statement of work, site list, vehicle list, worker roles, equipment values, and a clear description of what the product does. Ask the broker to point to the application description and form terms for each activity instead of relying on a certificate or coverage label.^[1]