What's excluded from your crop insurance policy?

It's just as important to know what's excluded from your crop insurance as what's included.

That way, you won't be surprised with an extensive list of out-of-pocket expenses if and when disaster strikes.

Elder Insurance can provide you with a crop insurance policy that covers you for loss of yield in a range of situations. These include chemical overspray, the intrusion of livestock, the loss of harvested seed in transit and natural disasters such as hail and fire.

However, there are a few situations in which you will not be able to make a claim and recoup your losses.

They are:

- If your crop is damaged as a result of any process involving the application of heat.

- Any "consequential loss" (also known as "indirect loss"). For instance, if you experience a loss of yield after you downgrade your seed or you are unable to supply a contract.

- The lawful seizure of your crop.

- If your crop suffers from too much water (including moisture created by melting hail), wind, or is harmed by the presence of plant species for which you're not insured.

- If your crop is levelled by floods.

- Any loss of yield that's a result of nuclear activity, such as radioactivity from nearby nuclear fuel or waste, or "ionising radiations".

- The destruction of your crop due to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and subterranean fires.

- If your crop is damaged by a building or other structure falling on it (unless fire is responsible for this).

- Any riots or "civil commotions" that ruin your crop.

- Acts of terrorism and war that impact your crop.

It pays to keep these exclusions in mind when you're organising a crop or farm insurance policy, and make sure you discuss them with your Elders Insurance agent if you have any questions.