THE IMPACT OF LOWER PRICES ON CROP INSURANCE DECISIONS
What Farmers Should Consider with Lower Prices
Little remarked that now is the time for farmers to start thinking about next year’s marketing and crop insurance decisions. “Start your marketing process now and build out your marketing plan for 2025 as soon as possible,” he said. “The sooner you do that, the less variability you’ll have in your crop year for 2025.”
Farmers should also try to determine their annual budget as soon as possible in the spring to help find the correct coverage level for crop insurance. “Making sure you know what’s out there as far as your crop insurance options, knowing that you surveyed all the options, whatever decision you make, will let you sleep at night,” said Little.
Prepping for a Smooth Claims Process
Despite record crop yields in many areas across the U.S., lower crop prices mean that more claims will still betriggered. Zach Allsup, FMH Vice President – Field Claims, offers tips for insureds to help claims go smoothly.
Submit claims as soon as possible.
Allsup emphasized the importance of turning in losses as early as possible, both for farmers and agents. “The big thingwe always preach is, don’t put yourself in a situation where a claim may get declined or denied just because you’re late getting it in,” said Allsup. “I would say, get it turned in before Christmas as a general rule of thumb, and you’re usually going to be fine.”
Maintain accurate records.
“Nothing is going to make your claim go more smoothly than good records,” said Allsup. “Good records save everybody time – and as they say, time is money.” This is especially true when it comes to claim audits and APH reviews.
Utilize FMH Precision Solutions to save even more time.
If a farmer uses precision to collect production data and calibrates to within three percent accuracy according to RMA standards, FMH can use that data if there is a claim. If the farmer uploads their production data to the FMH Policyholder Center (PHC), the process can move even faster, since the adjuster can access the needed data ahead of an appointment at the farm.
Consider direct deposit for claim payments.
Farmers have the option to sign up to receive their claim payment via direct deposit in the PHC. “It’s just faster and easier,” said Allsup. “You can get your claim payment in your bank account within a day of when we process that claim for payment in the office.”