Important first steps to protecting your farmland investment

The following information is provided by Nationwide®, your approved insurance and financial services company.

Every piece of ag land is different. And in a skyrocketing farmland market, it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re protected from the many liabilities that come from farmland ownership.

Learn about your land

If you’re a first-time landowner, that process starts with getting familiar with your land. A clear picture of what is raised on or supported by your farmland is the first step in identifying the liabilities you may face as a landowner. Consider the following in that process:

• What happens on your farmland? Consider the primary work that happens on your land, such as crop or livestock production. Identifying the primary working purpose of your land can clarify the specific hazards for which you should seek insurance protection.
• What are the farmland operations, features or other variables that put you at risk? Ag operations such as spraying weeds on crop fields, maintaining fencing or grazing cattle on pastures can open the door to liability on your farmland. And any commercial businesses — such as a produce stand, for example — on your owned farmland carry with them specific liability risks. Also consider activities such as hunting, as they could potentially bring visitors onto your land and create liability. Having a strong relationship with your leasing farmer or rancher can help with this effort.
• What level of coverage do you need? Do you need additional options? Farmland values are surging, and it’s important to first ensure that you have the right coverage levels in place to cover any potential losses. Given the diverse potential for liabilities on farmland, you’ll also want to match specific policy options and endorsements to the work and any other activities that take place on your land.
• What are your long-term financial plans for your land? Farmland is often a financial component of a larger portfolio, such as an estate or trust. Given the financial implications to such long-term financial planning, consider how to protect your farmland assets, especially if they’re intended to go to an heir as part of a succession plan.

“How you use the land determines the specific liabilities you are exposed to. As a new farmland owner, think about how you plan to use the land today and in the future,” said Nationwide Senior Consultant Erin Cumings. “Any activities that take place on that land create exposure and the type of activity and exposure can vary significantly.”

Enlist the right help to find the right liability protection

Once you’ve discussed these working details about your farmland, you’re armed with the right information to help select insurance coverage to protect you from potential liabilities. In many cases, a simple endorsement on a homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t provide adequate coverage. It’s best to discuss your options with someone who not only knows your land well, but also your specific insurance coverage options, whether they’re endorsements or entirely new policies.

”Connecting with the previous owner or other local farmers can help you paint a picture of the history of the land and provide information that may help you make a decision about the future use of the land,” Cumings said. “A Certified Farm Agent can help match your insurance coverage to the activities on your land, just be sure to let them know if the activities change over time.”

Your long-term plan for your farmland also contributes to how you insure for potential liabilities. If your land is an asset in a succession plan or other long-term financial agreement, for example, you may seek different coverage options than if it’s simply to generate annual income from rent payments or the crops or livestock it supports.

Your local Nationwide Farm Certified agent or financial advisor can help you adequately account for those types of variables in finding the right liability protection. Nationwide Land As Your Legacy® can also help you protect your farmland investment through legacy planning.