Farmers and Ranchers Guide: How to Get and Maintain Insurance for Your Farm or Ranch
- Hailie Hillock
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Farmers and ranches are the backbone of the United States and especially rural Oregon. And if you own one, you know your crops, livestock, equipment, and buildings are more than just property; they’re your livelihood.
Farmowners insurance (sometimes called farm and ranch insurance) is designed specifically for agricultural operations. It’s different from standard homeowners insurance because farms carry more property, higher liability risk, and constantly changing inventory.
In this guide, we’ll share how to get farm insurance, what information you’ll need and how to maintain your coverage so that you can protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
What is Insurance for Farmers and Ranchers?
Farmowners insurance is meant for small to mid-sized farming and ranching operations. It typically includes:
Home insurance for your farmhouse
Coverage for outbuildings like barns and shops
Equipment and machinery coverage
Livestock coverage
Farm liability protection
Optional farm auto coverage
Because no two farms are the same, policies are customized based on what you own and how you operate.
The Farm Insurance Quoting Process
When getting a farm or ranch insurance quote, your agent will ask questions to understand your operation. Gathering this information ahead of time helps speed up the process.
Information You’ll Need for a Farm Insurance Quote
Description of operations – What do you do?
Property address(es) and number of acres at each
Livestock, number and type
Equine and if there are any boarding or breeding programs
Home and structure features (year built, square footage, and roof type)
Description and approximate value of any equipment or farm property (like tack, tools, and machinery)
Many farmers and ranchers also bundle farm auto insurance. For that, you’ll need:
Vehicle VINs
Vehicle year, makes and models
Drivers’ dates of birth and license numbers
Your insurance agent should also ask follow-up questions to uncover risks that aren’t obvious on paper and give you personalized coverage recommendations.
Why Annual Farm Insurance Reviews Matter
Farming schedules are demanding, and insurance often falls to the bottom of the list. But a farm is always changing—new equipment shows up, livestock numbers shift, revenue fluctuates, buildings get improved, and operations evolve. When your insurance doesn’t keep up, you can end up underinsured (or paying for coverage you no longer need).
An annual review is a quick way to catch problems before they turn into coverage gaps or claim headaches. It’s a simple check-in that can make a big difference—confirming replacement costs, making sure scheduled items are accurate, and ensuring your coverage matches your current operation.
How Farmers and Ranchers Can Review Their Farm Insurance Policy
Step 1: Locate Your Declarations pages
Your Declarations pages (often called the “Dec pages”) are the snapshot of your policy. They summarize your key details, including: Coverage limits, Deductibles, Scheduled buildings, and Scheduled equipment. They typically look similar to the example image below.
When your renewal arrives in the mail or by email, look for several Declarations pages—there may be multiple, depending on how many buildings, items, or coverages you have insured.
Step 2: Ask These Key Questions
Before you set your renewal aside, take a few minutes to walk through these questions. Even one “yes” can mean your coverage should be updated:
Have I made updates to existing structures or added new ones?
Do I expect a larger harvest or higher inventory this year?
Has my livestock count or type changed?
Are my buildings not insured for today’s rebuilding costs?
Have I purchased or sold any high-value items?
Have I made upgrades to the property on the scheduled list?
Are values inaccurate?
Download the Guide
Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Agent
If anything has changed or if you think you may be underinsured or overinsured, contact your agent. A quick review and a few small updates now can help prevent coverage gaps, delays, or surprises if you ever have a claim.
Managing Farm Insurance Changes Throughout the Year
You don’t need to wait for your renewal to update your policy. In fact, you shouldn’t. Farm operations change fast, and keeping your coverage current helps prevent gaps and surprises. Tell your insurance agent any time you:
Buy or sell equipment or vehicles
Add livestock
Build or modify structures
Acquire or sell land
Start a new activity or income stream (farm stand, agritourism, custom work, etc.)
How to Request a Change to Your Farm Insurance Policy
The process is simple! Simply contact your agent. Typically, your agent will need:
A brief description of what you’re adding or removing
An estimated value (or purchase price, if available)
The date the change took place (or when you want it effective)
Your agent will handle the paperwork and confirm coverage is in place. You’ll receive documentation of the change.
Using Peak Season Insurance for Farm Operations
A peak season endorsement can be added to most farmowners policies.
This coverage temporarily increases limits during predictable high-inventory periods such as harvest season, livestock finishing, and feed/supply stockpiling.
Peak season coverage helps prevent underinsurance without paying year-round for coverage you only need for specific periods of time.
Work with a Local Farm Insurance Agent
At Hillock Insurance, we understand farming and ranching in rural Oregon. Our goal is to make insurance straightforward, so you can focus on caring for your land and animals, not paperwork.
If you’d like help reviewing your farm insurance or getting a quote, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is farm insurance different from homeowners insurance?
Farm insurance covers more than just your home. It includes barns, equipment, livestock, and farm liability, which are not covered under a standard homeowners policy.
What happens if I don’t update my farm insurance?
Outdated policies can lead to underinsurance, reduced claim payments, or denied claims if your operation no longer meets policy requirements.
Where can I get insurance for my farm or ranch?
You can work with an independent insurance agency licensed to sell farmowners insurance in Oregon, like Hillock Insurance, which can compare options and customize coverage.
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