ECO provides area-based coverage for a portion of the deductible of your underlying policy, with top-end coverage levels up to a 95% level.
Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) Overview
The Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) provides federal, area-based crop insurance coverage for a portion of the deductible of your underlying MPCI policy, similar to the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), but at a higher coverage level. An optional county-based crop insurance endorsement, ECO extends coverage up to 95% of expected crop value and supplements your underlying policy (RP, RP-HPE, YP, YDO, and APH).
How ECO Works
- ECO provides area-based coverage for a portion of the deductible of your underlying policy, similar to the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO).
- ECO is based on your underlying policy plan of insurance. For example, with Yield Protection ECO covers yield loss.
- The amount of ECO coverage depends on the liability, coverage level, and approved yield for your underlying policy.
- Coverage must be elected by the sales closing date for your underlying policy.
- ECO pays indemnities based on county average yields or revenue rather than individual farm performance, making it a supplemental layer of area-based crop insurance protection.
Curious how this product compares with other area plans? View our ECO/MCO/SCO Comparison Flyer.
What Are The Benefits?
HIGHER COVERAGE BAND
ECO now provides a fixed 90% to 95% coverage band, with an 80% premium subsidy for all eligible crops.
HIGHER-LEVEL-COVERAGE
For 2027, ECO provides a 90-95% coverage band (5% coverage range).
Works WITH SCO Coverage
Can complement area-based SCO coverage
EQUIVALENT FIGURES
Uses same SCO figures for expected and final area yields, projected and harvest prices, and payment factors.
NO CREDITS OR OFFSETS
No premium credits or offsets against individual policy.
ELIGIBILITY
ARC or PLC participation has no impact on eligibility.
ECO FAQ
What is the difference between ECO and SCO?
Both ECO and SCO provide county-based coverage that supplements an underlying crop insurance policy, but they cover different portions of the deductible. SCO extends coverage from the underlying policy's coverage level up to 90%, while ECO provides coverage from 90% to 95%. The two products can be purchased together for additional protection, where available.
How are ECO losses determined?
ECO losses are based on county-level yield or revenue rather than an individual farm's losses. An ECO payment may be triggered even if you don't receive a payment from your underlying policy, or vice versa.
Can ECO be combined with Margin Coverage Option (MCO)?
No. ECO and MCO both provide coverage from 90% to 95% and cannot be purchased together. However, either product may be combined with SCO, where eligible.
ECO
Availability
ECO is available for eligible crops in participating counties within the FMH writing area. Availability varies by crop, county, and underlying insurance plan.