Best Hobby Farm Insurance Companies

Owning a hobby farm is a labor of love. And this love comes with enough work as it is without having to worry about what insurance company to go with. Knowing all the different carrier offerings is a second job, and one you may want some help with. Thankfully, there are independent insurance agents to help with that.

Independent insurance agents work with some of the best carriers out there on a daily basis and know exactly who to avoid and who to go with. They'll help you shop from among the best to find the best coverage options for you, your hobby farm, and your side hustle. But first, here's a bit more background to help you understand what you'll be looking for.

Best Hobby Farm Insurance Companies

Some of the best and most popular insurance carriers for your hobby farm work directly with an independent insurance agent. Since an independent insurance agent has the ability to work with multiple insurance carriers at a time, they also have the most resources, saving you the most time. According to a recent study, some of the heavy hitters in the crop insurance industry are listed below by premiums collected. 

Largest multiple peril crop insurance companies in the United States in 2018, by direct premiums written (in million US dollars)

When it comes to your hobby farm insurance, going where the crowd is might be just the ticket. After all, you don't go to the restaurant where no one goes — the food's no good. You want a place that has the guests lining up. The carriers that have the most clout with coverage and premiums are usually the most popular. Because they're the most popular they cash in the most premiums, and because they have the most premiums they have more reserves, and that helps make them a safer choice.

How to Know a Hobby Farm Insurance Carrier Is a Good Choice

Some of the United States' leading insurance companies are in your own backyard. But what makes for a good insurance carrier, and how do you which one is a viable option? Well, there are some items that you should know about when looking for your next hobby farm insurance company. 

What makes for a good insurance carrier:

1. Contact an independent insurance agent to help navigate all the insurance company options that are out there. 
2. Look for carriers that have an AM Best rating. What an AM Best rating grades on is the insurance companies' financial strength, meaning how much money they have in reserve in order to pay out claims. You want one in the A's.
3. Ask your agent who is fast and speedy about claims, and if they have adopted a mindset that helps the client instead of one that tries to avoid paying out claims.
4. Find out how quickly the insurance companies respond to requests to avoid coverage gaps and lags in protection.
5. Discuss the different coverage options of each carrier and what some may be willing to cover and what others aren't. 
6. And of course, premium. How much will this all cost to insure your hobby farm, and how do other companies differ?

 Going through your options with an agent will put your mind at ease so you can do what you do best, hobby farming.

Hobby Farm Insurance Costs

Coverage is important, but you have to be able to afford it. Each hobby farm has different characteristics, making it nearly impossible to give a one-size-fits-all approach. Since there are so many different risk factors that go into insuring your hobby farm, knowing the cost offhand isn't likely. However, your independent insurance agent can go over all the facets of your operation to make sure you're getting the best rates and coverage. 

Some premium-saving, risk-minimizing things to do on your hobby farm side business:

Save On Farm Insurance

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Volume of Insured Farmland

The sheer volume of insured farmland should be enough to tell you that it's important to have farm insurance. When it comes to insuring your hobby farm, there's no better way to get the job done than with a trusted advisor who knows the lay of the land — your land to be specific. Look at some data on just how many acres of farmland are insured in the United States.

Volume of insured acres of farmland in the United States from 2016 to 2018 by crop

The History of Farm Insurance

Insurance started in the United States as early as 1752 and was brought about by Benjamin Franklin. Farm insurance has since evolved over time now adding more maintenance coverages instead of coverages solely for catastrophic events. Insurance is still meant to be used only when you absolutely need to. But unlike the old days when insurance was only used for a big event, it is now more commonly used to help manage your hobby farm and assets. 

As machinery and equipment have changed since those times, so have the insurance policies that cover them. The insurance companies have adapted and made more changes offering more robust hobby farm insurance policies to cover your hobby farm operations as a whole. Insurance has come a long way, and coverage has filled in those gaps quite nicely over time.

Why Online Quotes Aren’t Always the Best Way to Shop

Getting your insurance quotes online can be tempting. Sure, it’s fast and easy, but are the quotes you are getting actually accurate? And are you getting quotes for all the different types of coverage your business needs?

Online quotes cannot give you the whole picture. They often omit important coverage, which may result in you being unable to get compensation if something disastrous happens. And they can leave out cost-saving opportunities such as discounts and bundling opportunities that an independent agent can help you take advantage of. 

Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent near you, and schedule a one-on-one consultation to discuss your options for the best coverage for your hobby farm.

The Benefits of an Independent Insurance Agent

Independent insurance agents have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you. And as your hobby farm grows and your needs change, they'll be there to help you adjust your coverage, up or down, to make sure you're properly protected without overpaying. Find a TrustedChoice.com independent insurance agent in your community here.