Insuring Farm Vehicles: What You Need To Know

Farm vehicles that enter a public roadway require auto insurance coverage. There are several types of farm vehicle insurance policies available, including commercial auto policies, personal auto policies, and farmowners policies. Factors such as vehicle type, use, size, ownership, and registration determine the appropriate insurance policy for farm vehicles. Commercial insurance is typically required for larger trucks, while smaller pickup trucks can often be insured through personal auto policies. Farm equipment insurance is also essential to protect against farm-specific risks like flooding and cab glass breakage.

Farm vehicle insurance for public roadways

Driving on rural roads can be a relaxing experience, but it's important to be cautious and attentive. One of the risk factors is drivers' inexperience with sharing the road with large, slow-moving farm vehicles. Here are some essential safety tips for driving around farm vehicles on public roads:

For Drivers of Non-Farm Vehicles:

• Drive defensively: Be extra vigilant during planting and harvest seasons, typically in spring and fall. Driving defensively and staying alert can help you avoid accidents with farm vehicles.
• Slow down: Reduce your speed when you see a slow-moving farm vehicle ahead. Start braking early and maintain a safe distance of around 50 feet. Farm equipment drivers may have trouble seeing you if you're too close.
• Pass with care: Wait for a safe passing zone, watch for oncoming traffic, use your turn signals, and return to your lane only when the farm vehicle is in your rearview mirror. Avoid passing near intersections, curves, railroad crossings, or bridges. If the farm vehicle is extra-wide, wait until the driver pulls over and signals that it's safe. Honk your horn to alert them of your presence.
• Yield when necessary: Give wide farm vehicles the right-of-way when travelling in the opposite direction. Large farm vehicles may not be able to pull over safely to the road's shoulder. If possible, move onto the shoulder or into a field entrance to let them pass.
• Stay cautious and patient: Understand that farm vehicles may need to make wide turns. A driver appearing to pull to the right might actually be making a wide left turn. Look for driveways, roads, or fields where they might be turning. Also, watch for hand gestures or lights indicating their intention to turn.
• Follow the rules and stay calm: Obey speed limits and always wear your seat belt, just as you would in urban areas. It can be frustrating to drive behind slow-moving farm vehicles, but don't resort to aggressive driving. Take a deep breath and stay patient.
• Be vigilant: Before pulling into an intersection or attempting to pass, ensure your path is clear in all directions. Tall crops can create blind corners, and farm vehicles may enter the roadway from unmarked access drives in the fields.

For Farm Vehicle Operators:

• Alert other motorists: Do everything you can to make your presence known to other drivers. Use reflective "Slow-Moving Vehicle" emblems, reflective marking tape, and reflectors on your equipment.
• Use proper lighting: Turn on hazard lights and turn off field work lights when travelling on roadways. Ensure your vehicle has the required number of white headlights and red taillights, especially when travelling between half an hour before sunset and half an hour after sunrise, or when visibility is limited.
• Use turn signals: Always use turn signals to indicate your intention to turn into fields or driveways.
• Be aware of traffic: Check for oncoming traffic, as well as vehicles behind and in front of you. If conditions allow, pull over temporarily to let traffic pass.
• Slow down on turns: Reduce speed when navigating turns and curves, and check your mirrors to monitor the traffic behind you.
• Minimize equipment width: Ensure your equipment does not interfere with traffic in an adjoining lane. Whenever possible, transport larger equipment to the next location instead of driving it on public roads.
• Comply with regulations: Follow the rules and regulations specified by organizations like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) and the Highway Traffic Act (HTA). These regulations include requirements for lighting, speed limits, and vehicle attachments.

Farm truck insurance policies

There are several types of farm truck insurance policies available, each catering to different needs and scenarios. Here is an overview of the key farm truck insurance policies:

• Commercial Auto Policy: This policy is designed for heavy and extra-heavy trucks owned by commercial farm entities, such as LLCs or INCs. In some cases, large pickup trucks may also need to be placed on a commercial policy, even if they are titled to the farmer's individual name. A commercial auto policy can also cover a semi used for hauling the farm's own products. However, if the semi is used to haul goods for others, a separate policy, known as Trucking Insurance, may be required due to the increased risk associated with such operations.
• Personal Auto Policy: Mid-to-small-sized pickup trucks used on farms can often be insured through a Personal Auto Policy, titled to the farmer's individual name. This option is typically more economical than a commercial policy, but it's important to be mindful of liability limit maximums, which usually don't exceed $500,000.
• Farm Auto Policy: Some farm insurance carriers offer a commercial auto policy specifically tailored for farms, known as a Farm Auto Policy. This option is suitable for commercial vehicles that are used exclusively in farming operations, presenting a reduced risk to insurers.
• Farmowners Policy: Farms with unlicensed farm trucks, which are exempt from standard vehicle registration and inspections, typically obtain insurance through a Farmowners Policy. This type of policy covers vehicles designated for specific uses and within certain restrictions, such as distance from the home farm.

It is important for farmers to carefully assess their needs and the usage of their vehicles to determine the most appropriate insurance policy. Consulting with experienced independent agents can help farmers structure comprehensive insurance packages that meet their unique coverage needs while also being cost-effective.

Commercial auto policies

A commercial auto policy can be advantageous for farmers as it allows them to couple policies together, potentially resulting in better coverage and lower costs. This type of policy can provide coverage for a wide range of vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, pickups, and farm vehicles. It can help pay for repairs, legal fees, and medical bills in the event of an accident involving the insured vehicle.

When insuring farm vehicles under a commercial auto policy, farmers may also have the option to package it with their farm or ranch policy. This can result in additional benefits, such as receiving one bill for both policies and becoming eligible for a multi-policy discount.

Personal auto policies

There are several types of personal auto policies available, depending on the specific needs of the farm or ranch. Bodily Injury Liability coverage protects against injuries caused to other people in an accident. Property Damage Liability coverage, on the other hand, provides protection if the insured farm vehicle causes damage to someone else's property. Comprehensive coverage is also available and pays for damage to the insured farm vehicle due to causes other than collision, such as fire, theft, or vandalism.

Additionally, Collision coverage is offered to cover damage to the insured farm vehicle or trailer caused by a collision or overturning. Uninsured and Underinsured coverage is essential to protect against bodily injury caused by drivers without adequate insurance. Some states also require Medical or No-fault Coverage, which can help with medical costs related to an accident, regardless of who is at fault.

Farmowners policies

Farm and ranch insurance can be tailored to cover farm homes and contents, farm personal property, structures and other buildings, and liability protection. For instance, it can provide insurance protection for household personal property in your dwelling, such as clothes, furniture, and appliances if you live on your farm or ranch. It can also cover farm personal property, including farm machinery, grain, livestock, and farm tools used in your farming operations.

Farm and ranch liability protection covers your legal liability for damages due to bodily injury or property damage resulting from covered claims. It also covers medical expenses resulting from covered claims for people who are accidentally injured on your premises or by your activities on the farm or ranch.

Additionally, depending on the size of your operation, you may need excess liability protection. This includes a commercial liability umbrella policy, which helps cover defence costs and judgments from covered claims of professional negligence, error, or omission. Another option is a personal liability umbrella policy, which provides additional insurance protection for covered claims resulting from defamation of character, libel, or slander, which may not be covered by your other policies.

Frequently asked questions