Farm Insurance :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Agricultural Premiums Skyrocket Amidst Climate Uncertainty

Agricultural Premiums Skyrocket Amidst Climate Uncertainty

Agricultural Premiums Skyrocket Amidst Climate Uncertainty?w=400

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

With farming sectors across Australia feeling the financial pressure, many agriculturalists are battling climbing costs in insurance premiums, a challenge compounded by higher asset values and dramatic climate events.

The reality for producers is stark: Farm insurance expenses have surged, more than doubling within a four-year timespan, thrusting annual premiums well beyond the $100,000 mark for some. These rising costs are turning into a substantial financial burden, forcing farmers to reconsider their insurance strategies.

The agricultural community faces a dilemma as equipment and infrastructure values inflate alongside heightened insurance rates, which affects standard farming assets like high-end combine harvesters, now priced at over a million dollars each.

Ryan Milgate, grain grower and advocate for the Victorian Farmers Federation, observed a troubling uptrend in the cost of safeguarding essential farming machinery.

"Our insurance bills have gone up significantly, particularly post-COVID-19. We're seeing a surge driven not just by an increase in premiums but because the assets themselves have become costlier to replace," shared Milgate.

Within this fiscal strain lies an increased propensity for risk-taking. Farmers, particularly those who are not obliged by lenders to maintain comprehensive coverage for financed purchases, might opt to either partially insure their assets or even forgo certain insurance policies.

This shift is not confined to Victoria. Instances resonate nationwide, as reflected in the experiences of NSW Farmers Association's vice president Rebecca Reardon, who will be scrutinizing insurance renewals with a critical eye, trimming unavoidable excess from her farm's expenses.

While customers tighten their belts, insurers justify the steeper costs by pointing to the more venal aspects of the weather. Increased volatility brought about by climatic aberrations plays a prominent role in redefining premium calculations.

An example of the struggle against extreme weather is demonstrated by Queensland's Shannon Moss, whose farming business has been struck by droughts, floods, and hail within five years. For him, the feasibility of crop insurance is overshadowed by the sheer frequency of crop-damaging events.

Moss recently contended with a major financial loss, reflecting on a particularly devastating flood: "Just last month, we took a bruising hit, costing us almost a quarter-million dollars in lost produce-mostly immediate harvest-ready crops," recounted the Lockyer Valley grower.

An added source of discontent among farmers like Milgate is the rising premiums due to catastrophic events in regions far removed from their spheres of operation, impassioned by the need for an insurance system sensitive to local risk profiles.

Differentiating between high and low-risk farming areas could become an increasing topic of discussion. "Some have been lucky with favorable seasons-insurances are being met now. Yet in the face of harsher times, such increases will be much harder to manage," expressed Milgate, hinting at the broader implications for the industry should conditions turn dire.

Published:Saturday, 10th Feb 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

What Bushfire Resilience Ratings Mean for Farmers
What Bushfire Resilience Ratings Mean for Farmers
07 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
More Australian insurers are now recognising household bushfire resilience ratings, a development rural and regional property owners should watch closely as risk-based pricing becomes more visible across the insurance market. NAB and CommBank insurance brands have joined the program, alongside existing participants including NRMA Insurance and Suncorp, meaning a significant share of the home insurance market is now engaging with assessed bushfire mitigation. - read more
Cyclone Pool Delivers Relief, But Farmers Still Need to Check Cover
Cyclone Pool Delivers Relief, But Farmers Still Need to Check Cover
30 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s final monitoring report on the cyclone reinsurance pool has delivered a mixed message for rural and regional northern Australia. The pool appears to have helped ease some premium pressure for medium to high cyclone-risk areas, including reductions across home, strata and small business building and contents cover. For farm families and agribusinesses in cyclone-exposed regions, that is welcome news after years of rising costs and limited choice. - read more
El Niño Outlook Puts Farm Risk Planning Back in Focus
El Niño Outlook Puts Farm Risk Planning Back in Focus
23 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia’s latest El Niño declaration has turned seasonal risk planning into an immediate priority for many rural and regional businesses. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed El Niño conditions in mid-June, with forecasts indicating the tropical Pacific is likely to keep warming through the coming months and remain a factor until at least the end of the year. - read more
NRMA's Departure from Farm Insurance: What It Means for Australian Farmers
NRMA's Departure from Farm Insurance: What It Means for Australian Farmers
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
In a significant shift within the Australian insurance landscape, NRMA has announced its withdrawal from the farm insurance market, ceasing the sale of new policies as of July 1, 2025. This decision affects both Hobby Farm Insurance and Rural Farm Insurance offerings, leaving many farmers in search of alternative coverage options to safeguard their livelihoods. - read more
New Partnership Strengthens Risk Management in Australia's Protected Cropping Sector
New Partnership Strengthens Risk Management in Australia's Protected Cropping Sector
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) and Achmea Farm Insurance have announced a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering risk mitigation and resilience within Australia's protected cropping sector. This collaboration seeks to empower growers by providing tailored insurance solutions and promoting best practices in risk management. - read more
ABARES Report Highlights Insurance as a Key Tool for Managing Agricultural Risks
ABARES Report Highlights Insurance as a Key Tool for Managing Agricultural Risks
16 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) has released a comprehensive report examining the role of insurance as a risk management tool for Australian farmers. The report emphasises that while insurance cannot protect against inevitable events like climate change, it can be instrumental in managing the variability and unpredictability inherent in farming. - read more



Farm Insurance Articles

Essential Coverage vs. Optional Add-ons: Balancing Protection and Costs
Essential Coverage vs. Optional Add-ons: Balancing Protection and Costs
For Australian farmers, having the right insurance coverage isn't just a safety net—it's an integral part of sustaining their livelihood. Natural disasters, unpredictable climate conditions, and the inherent risks of agricultural production underline the critical importance of robust insurance for the agricultural community. As farmers navigate the complexities of insurance, understanding the basics becomes the first step toward securing their assets and ensuring the continuity of their operations. - read more
The Farmer's Handbook to Quick and Effective Insurance Claims
The Farmer's Handbook to Quick and Effective Insurance Claims
Insurance is a vital part of safeguarding any farming operation. As a farmer, protecting your property, equipment, and livelihood from unexpected events like natural disasters, theft, or accidents is crucial. Adequate insurance coverage ensures that you can recover quickly from setbacks without enduring overwhelming financial strain. - read more
What You Need to Know About Crop Insurance for Your Farm
What You Need to Know About Crop Insurance for Your Farm
Farming is a risky business. As a farmer, you are at the mercy of the weather, pests, and other challenges that can threaten your crops and your livelihood. That’s where crop insurance comes in. Crop insurance can provide financial protection in case your crops are damaged or destroyed, allowing you to recover from losses and move forward with your farm business. - read more
Understanding Farm Equipment Insurance: What Rural Australians Need to Know
Understanding Farm Equipment Insurance: What Rural Australians Need to Know
Farm equipment insurance is crucial for rural Australians who rely on their machinery for agricultural productivity. This insurance provides a safety net, helping to mitigate the financial risks associated with equipment loss or damage. - read more
Livestock Insurance for Aussie Farmers: What You Need to Know
Livestock Insurance for Aussie Farmers: What You Need to Know
Livestock farming is a significant part of the Australian agriculture industry. As with any business, farmers face numerous risks such as disease, death, theft or extreme weather events, which could cause damage or loss to their livestock assets. Livestock insurance provides cover against these risks, ensuring that farmers are financially protected from any potential financial losses, which could devastate their livelihoods. - read more
Top 10 Ways Australian Farmers Can Slash Insurance Costs Without Risking Coverage
Top 10 Ways Australian Farmers Can Slash Insurance Costs Without Risking Coverage
Welcome to our definitive guide for Australian farmers on managing one of the most crucial aspects of their business: insurance. As a cultivator of the land, you're no stranger to the unpredictability of nature and the market. From intense weather events to fluctuating market demands, your line of work comes with its unique set of risks. Hence, safeguarding your livelihood with the right insurance is not just important—it's essential. - read more

Need a Quote?
Start your free farm insurance quote comparison here.
Farm Type:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided obligation-free by a participating broker from our national referral partner network. We respect your Privacy.


Knowledgebase
Loss of Use:
Insurance coverage that pays for the additional living expenses if your home is uninhabitable due to a covered loss.