Farm Insurance :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

ABARES Report Highlights Insurance as a Key Tool for Managing Agricultural Risks

Exploring Insurance Options to Mitigate Climate Variability in Farming

ABARES Report Highlights Insurance as a Key Tool for Managing Agricultural Risks?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.

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.

Key insights from the report include:

  • Yield Risk Management: Farmers can employ various strategies to manage yield risk, such as diversifying crops, spreading farms across different climatic regions, improving irrigation systems, and utilising climate forecasts to inform production decisions.
  • Insurance as a Tool: Insurance is highlighted as a means to reduce downside risk, particularly in managing the volatility of farm incomes due to climate variability.
  • Comprehensive Risk Strategies: The report suggests that insurance should be part of a broader risk management strategy that includes savings, credit access, and other financial tools to smooth incomes during challenging periods.

ABARES' findings underscore the importance of integrating insurance into the financial planning of farm operations to enhance resilience against climate-related risks. Farmers are encouraged to assess their individual risk profiles and consider insurance products that align with their specific needs and circumstances.

Published:Tuesday, 16th Jun 2026
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

Why Climate Risk Is Back on the Farm Insurance Agenda
Why Climate Risk Is Back on the Farm Insurance Agenda
28 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Australia's general insurance sector has again put natural hazard resilience at the centre of the affordability debate, with fresh industry commentary warning that floods, bushfires, storms and cyclones are continuing to reshape how risk is priced. For farmers, this is not an abstract policy discussion. It goes directly to the cost and availability of farm insurance, particularly for properties with older buildings, exposed machinery, flood-prone access roads, boundary fencing, stored fodder or high-value livestock. - read more
What Allianz’s Farm Cover Revamp Means for Farmers
What Allianz’s Farm Cover Revamp Means for Farmers
21 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori
Allianz Australia has refreshed its farm pack insurance, with the updated product announced on 20 July 2026. For farmers and rural property owners, the significance is less about one insurer changing a product and more about what it signals across the broader farm insurance market: insurers are trying to make cover easier to understand while adjusting policy features to better match modern farming operations. - read more
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



Farm Insurance Articles

Agribusiness Risk: Liability Issues Facing Australian Farmers Today
Agribusiness Risk: Liability Issues Facing Australian Farmers Today
The agricultural sector in Australia carves a significant portion of the country's economy, contributing to its GDP and providing employment across rural and suburban areas. Thus, navigating the complexities of agribusiness is not just a matter of crop cultivation and livestock management, but also of understanding the intricate web of liability risks that come with the terrain. - read more
When the Rain Doesn't Come: Financial Planning Tips for Persistent Drought
When the Rain Doesn't Come: Financial Planning Tips for Persistent Drought
For farmers across rural Australia, the unyielding dry spells brought on by persistent drought conditions are not just an environmental concern but a significant financial challenge. Effective financial planning becomes a cornerstone strategy for ensuring the resilience and longevity of these crucial agricultural businesses. The prickling heat and parched earth serve as stark reminders of nature's capacity to impact livelihoods, especially when the rain doesn't grace the farmlands for extended periods. - 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
Common Myths About Farm Insurance Debunked
Common Myths About Farm Insurance Debunked
Whether you're a seasoned farmer or just starting out, understanding farm insurance is crucial. It's more than just a safety net; it's a way to ensure that your farming business can withstand unforeseen challenges. By safeguarding your livelihood, farm insurance offers peace of mind amidst uncertainties. - read more
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
Livestock Insurance for Australian Farmers: What to Know Before Choosing Cover
Livestock Insurance for Australian Farmers: What to Know Before Choosing Cover
Livestock insurance can help Australian farmers manage the financial impact of unexpected animal losses caused by events such as disease, accidental death, theft, transit incidents or extreme weather. The right policy settings depend on the type of livestock, the risks faced by the farm, how animals are valued and the exclusions that apply. - 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
Disability Insurance:
A type of insurance protection that pays a portion of a person's income lost due to a total or partial disablement arising from either an accident or a sickness.