Does Your Farm Need Its Own Insurance Policy? A Guide for Central Valley Growers 

California farm operations may face risks such as wildfires, prolonged drought and equipment theft that standard home or business policies are not designed to cover. Eaton & Eaton Insurance can help farmers in Fresno, CA find insurance options tailored to these needs.

Why Standard Policies Aren’t Enough

Homeowners and commercial policies are generally designed for non-agricultural risks. A homeowners policy may cover your dwelling, but it typically excludes commercial farming operations. This can leave several areas without adequate coverage, including:

• Large-scale equipment such as tractors, irrigation systems and harvesting machinery
• Livestock and the losses tied to their care and maintenance
• Farm employee liability arising from workplace injuries or incidents
• Public-facing operations like farm stands, which may create additional slip-and-fall or product liability exposure that standard policies rarely address

Essential Components of Farm Coverage

Standard farm insurance policies often include the following:

• Farm liability coverage may apply when someone is injured on your property or your operations result in damage to others’ property.
• Equipment coverage may extend to tractors, irrigation systems and other machinery against breakdown, fire, and theft.
• Crop insurance coverage may help offset revenue losses from natural disasters or declining commodity prices.
• Livestock coverage may insure animals against perils such as fire, lightning or drowning.
• Agribusiness auto coverage may cover farm vehicles used to haul produce or supplies, which personal auto policies typically exclude.

Does My Home Policy Cover My Farm Stand or Farm Employees?

Most homeowners policies exclude business activities, so coverage for a farm stand or farm employees is generally not included. A public-facing farm stand may require liability coverage for slip-and-fall or product claims, and farm employees may need separate coverage or workers’ compensation.

Learn More

Contact Eaton & Eaton Insurance today to request a no-obligation quote.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.