Farmers obviously rely on their crop yield and other output in order to make a profit. That’s why their priority is to protect their commodities as best they can in the face of numerous damage risks.
One of the clearest and present dangers to any farmer is the risk of severe weather. Though on one hand, their livestock and crop insurance policies will cover certain storm damage to a degree, the savvy farmer knows that they need to be ready to lock down their property when severe weather begins.
Even though crop and other agricultural policies may compensate you for storm damage incurred, the actual monetary losses caused by severe weather might be far more than the value your policy will provide. That’s why whenever a storm threatens, do what you can to keep property damage risks low.
Securing Your Farm Before Severe Weather
Severe weather might be predictable, but it is still very hard to gauge exactly how severe a storm might be until it is over. It’s also hard to know exactly how much your farm will suffer as a result. Therefore, you need to spring into action as soon as a severe storm watch arises.
· Secure any agricultural stores to make sure they won’t spoil if you lose power.
· Ensure that your buildings are strong and insulated. The structural safety of these buildings can reduce the risk of severe damage. Make sure that there aren't fire risks in the buildings.
· During severe weather, move your livestock indoors. Keep them away from danger as best you can. Also make sure that you give animals some food or water to keep them calm and secure during the worst of the storm.
· Before storms, make sure you have a detailed inventory of your livestock and crop value. This inventory can help account for any missing animals or damaged crops afterwards.
· Store machinery in safe places where it is protected from the incoming storm.
· Consider what weather most affects your farm. This can help you tailor your insurance policy to best meet your needs.
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Proper Insurance
Still, your insurance will be a benefit regardless of how much of your property gets damaged in a storm. Generally you will need a couple of crop insurance benefits known as crop-hail insurance and multi-peril crop insurance. Crop-hail coverage specifically covers hail damage, while multi-peril coverage is more expansive, and protects crops damaged by extreme conditions. Livestock coverage will apply specifically to your animals.
For help getting the right policy, just contact our agents today. We’re here to help you get the best set of benefits to protect you in case of any loss of property.