Smallholder insurance

What is smallholder insurance?

Smallholder insurance provides cover for the range of risks that a smallholding may face. The definitions of what constitutes a smallholding vary, but generally a smallholding is defined as a plot of agricultural land that is larger than 5 acres but smaller than 50 acres.

Our smallholder insurance policies are tailored to suit you and your smallholding, so they vary in both cover and price. They can include cover for livestock, agricultural outbuildings and contents, goods in transit, agricultural vehicles, revenue loss, environmental and product liability insurance, and both employers and public liability insurance. Our tailored cover can also be extended to include domestic buildings, household risks, cash, and vehicles. We have strong relationships with the rural community and we understand the unique issues posed to all of you who own a smallholding.

What is a smallholding?

A smallholding is a plot of land that is usually defined as being under 50 acres and larger than 5 acres. A smallholding is generally bigger than an allotment but smaller than most commercial farms. Smallholdings are usually small farms that sustain a family or cultivate produce that is sold locally. Some smallholder insurance providers will include it under more general farm insurance.

A smallholding may have livestock on the land for rearing purposes or for other animal products such as eggs or dairy products. A smallholding may also be stock free and only produce crops. Some smallholdings will occasionally be open to the public for things like animal petting or guided tours.

If you are unsure as to whether you have a rural home, a smallholding, or a farm, our team of experts are available to help you. They can recommend a range of insurance policies to make sure that you get the exact cover that you need.

Do you need smallholder insurance?

Most homes will have a home insurance policy that provides cover for the building and the contents of the home. However, traditional home insurance is unlikely to cover the risks that come with running a smallholding.

For example, if you own a smallholding with livestock, you should have insurance to cover any risk of injury to other people or third party property damage caused by your livestock. Or, if you run a smallholding that employs other workers, you will need employer's liability insurance to cover employees against injury. Our smallholder insurance can include both employer's liability insurance and livestock insurance.

Our smallholder insurance can be included in a single, comprehensive policy that covers a broad range of risks that smallholdings face and can also be extended to include cover for your home.

If you are considering buying smallholder insurance in addition to your home insurance, check to see what you are already covered for under your existing home insurance. This ensures that you will not cover yourself twice and pay for additional, unnecessary cover.

What does smallholder insurance cover?

Here we will take a look at what is covered by smallholder insurance. However, because we tailor our policies to each customer, this list is not exhaustive and we are happy to discuss any further cover you may require for your smallholding.

Property

Many smallholdings have what is known as an 'outbuilding.' Outbuildings are buildings that are additional to the home space and are used for purposes outside of those of regular living quarters. Examples might include, a shed, a greenhouse, a garage, or animal pens. All such buildings can be covered by our insurance.

Often, these spaces are surrounded by fencing or protective walls that may require maintenance and repairs. These fences and walls can also be covered by our smallholder insurance.

Equipment

All equipment and tools that are specifically for the purposes of the smallholding can be covered by our smallholder insurance. Regular contents insurance will cover many of your household items, but those that are used solely for work on the farm need to be covered by a separate policy.

Vehicles

Our smallholder insurance can cover vehicles that are used on your land. This might include tractors, mowers, quad bikes, harvesters, trailers, cultivators, or wagons. Farm vehicles are also eligible to be covered separately by agricultural vehicle insurance or specialist cover such as tractor insurance.

Livestock

Livestock can be a very expensive asset, with pedigree animals often costing hefty six-figure sums. These animals are liable to injury, theft, or premature death and it is wise to have them insured in case of such an event.

Product liability

Many smallholdings will sell their produce at local markets or to community stores. If you sell your smallholding produce, it's a good idea to include product liability cover in your smallholder insurance policy. This covers you against any illness or harm that your produce may cause the buyer.

Employers liability

If you employ people on your smallholding, you are legally obliged to have employer's liability insurance. This covers both you and the employee if they are injured or harmed whilst working for you. Our smallholder insurance policies can include employers liability insurance and cover wages and legal expenses.

Environmental liability

Environmental liability protects you against any accidental environmental damage arising from pollution from your premises, such as an accidental fuel spillage. It includes third-party damages, clean up costs, environmental damage costs, and legal fees.

Property in transit

Property in transit cover protects any goods you own or are responsible for whilst in transit. As well as produce and saleable goods, this also includes all packing materials, the driver's personal property, and tools and equipment.

Loss of revenue

There are many reasons why a smallholding may struggle with a loss of revenue. Most run on a fairly low-income stream anyway and if the smallholding is damaged or has its production hindered in any way, it can be devastating to the income flow. Our smallholder insurance includes business interruption cover and protects you against any disruption to the income of the smallholding.

Personal accident and sickness

Personal accident and sickness covers you and your employees against physical injury and illness. Our cover includes medical and surgical expenses.

How to prepare before getting a quote

Before approaching us for a smallholder insurance quote, you should check to see what is already covered by existing policies you may have.

It is also a good idea to know things like the size and location of your land, the value of your equipment and livestock, how many people you have working for you, and the income your smallholding generates.

Contact A-Plan

Contact us at A-Plan and speak to one of our advisors. They will talk you through all the different types of cover available and the costs to ensure that you get the perfect insurance for your smallholding.

Unlike other insurance brokers, we see people, not policyholders. Our insurance policies are tailored to suit you and the unique needs of your smallholding.