Insuring your livestock may seem far-fetched, but think of the value these animals provide for your farming business. They haul heavy equipment and provide milk, eggs and meat. Take, for instance, the South Dakota blizzard two months ago; one snowy storm wiped out approximately 20,000 cattle, leaving the farmers without those animals and with a massive cleanup on hand. In similar situations, livestock insurance could mean the difference between going out of business and surviving a great loss.
How could you lose your investment in your livestock? Approximately 30 percent of cattle die from either respiratory or digestive problems, while over 10 percent die from weather-related events. All animals are susceptible to accidents, illness and disease, similar to the example above.
Apart from losing their investment, farmers have unique liability risks associated with owning animals. These risks include animals causing accidents on nearby roads, animals injuring guests or passersby and even legal concerns following reports of animal abuse. This specific coverage is designed with such risks in mind.
There are three primary ways to cover your livestock, which can be customized for your specific groups of animals (pigs, goats, chickens, cattle, etc.):
- Individual coverage: Separate coverage for each individual animal. This is generally the preferred method for owners of high-value animals.
- Herd coverage: Coverage for a specified herd, such as 200 dairy cattle or 150 sheep. This is the most common method of coverage.
- Blanket coverage: Coverage for all of your farm property rolled into one policy for one lump sum amount. This can include equipment, structures, hay, livestock, etc.
You can choose between limited coverage, which covers specific incidents mentioned in your policy such as accidents or severe weather, and comprehensive coverage, which covers a much more broad range of risks, including theft.
Insuring your livestock is a good investment for your farming business due to the fickle nature of caring for animals. Your livelihood rests on their well being and the right coverage can save your farm if disaster strikes.
We can handle all of your farming coverage needs. Call Magill Insurance Agency at (580) 772-7101 for more information on Weatherford farm insurance.