Why Now is the Time to Expand Your Crop Insurance
Agriculture has always been a risky business, and recent years have been no exception. Between volatile market prices and unpredictable weather, farmers face risks out of their control. That’s why expanding your crop insurance coverage now is critical. The Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) offers the protection you need. And with the crop insurance subsidy increase, it’s never been more affordable.
Protect Your Operation with Enhanced Coverage
When you’re managing a farm, unexpected risks can threaten your bottom line. Natural disasters, extreme weather and sudden drops in commodity prices are all part of the game. That’s where ECO comes in.
As an endorsement to your existing multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI), ECO extends your coverage and provides peace of mind that you’ll be protected, no matter what comes your way.
By adding ECO to crop insurance, you can protect up to 95% on all your planted acres. This higher, county-based level of coverage ensures that you won’t be left vulnerable to large-scale risks that could otherwise leave you facing significant financial losses.
Historical Payment Frequency
Since ECO functions like your base policy, a Revenue Protection policy with ECO would cover loss of yield and/or loss of revenue. Your guarantee is based on the higher of the spring price or the harvest price, but your revenue to count is based off the harvest price. So if the harvest price is lower than the spring price, then your yield would have to offset that decrease from the price drop to be at or above your guarantee.
- In the past 10 years, the crop insurance harvest price for corn has been lower than the spring price seven times.
- Six out of seven price decreases have been more than 5%. Three were over 10%.
If the final yields for a county stay flat from their expected values in a given year, there is a significant probability that ECO could trigger a loss payment if the same price drop pattern extends into next decade ahead. For context, the 20, 30 and 40-year pictures tell the same story.
While the U.S. as a whole may be setting record yields, it’s not happening everywhere all at once. Unforeseen weather impacts can range from a localized county area to sweeping a multistate region. ECO provides a great way to mitigate exposure to weather risks when your county is the one impacted.
Why Act Now?
- Increased Affordability with a 65% Federal Subsidy
One of the biggest barriers for farmers considering expanded coverage has always been cost. However, thanks to the recent crop insurance subsidy increase, ECO is more affordable than ever. The federal subsidy increase from 44% to 65% significantly lowers premium costs, allowing you to protect more of your operation without straining your budget. - Minimize Risks from Market Fluctuations
Commodity markets are unpredictable, and sudden drops in prices can be challenging for your farm’s income. ECO’s protection helps safeguard your earnings, giving you a buffer against volatile market conditions and helping you maintain financial stability year-round. - Comprehensive Risk Management
Expanding your coverage with ECO means you’re prepared for a range of risks, from weather-related crop losses to price declines. In an era where agricultural risks are increasing, having comprehensive protection in place is more important than ever.
Compeer Financial: Here For You with Personalized Support
Need help deciding if ECO is right for you? Contact your insurance officer today to ensure your policies align with your risk management strategy and bottom line.
We can run 100,000 scenarios comparing coverage levels and products to demonstrate how different policy combinations can work for your farm.
We’re more than just an insurance provider at Compeer — we’re your partner in building a strong risk management plan. Our insurance officers work with you to develop a customized approach to protecting your crops and livelihood. ECO gives you added protection at a lower cost and the peace of mind you crave.
Whether you purchase crop insurance from Compeer or not, let us help you achieve your goals with a complimentary policy review. Contact one of our experienced insurance officers today.
Crop Insurance
Crop insurance provides farmers with risk management tools to protect against crop loss or the loss of revenue due to declines in crop prices.