Posted February 4th, 2013
Dairy producers may have chickens that lay free-range eggs, or they might own cows that produce milk for butter, cheese, or cream. They could have a small plot of farmland near a city, or work on a large-scale operation that has been in their family for decades. Whether they have hundreds of employees, or only a dozen, and no matter if they focus on specialty cheeses, or old-fashioned salted butter, dairy operators know that their business is subject to certain risks. In the course of producing various dairy goods, their facilities could burn down, livestock could become ill, a worker could suffer an injury, or their inventory could be stolen while en route to a wholesale or retail store. To shield their business’s property and assets in the event of such a loss, or liability, dairy owners should make sure to have reliable commercial insurance coverage. An experienced independent insurance agent can assist them in selecting the proper policy or policies.
Choosing dairy insurance can prove difficult, but a local independent commercial insurance agent can simplify the process for business owners. By connecting with a seasoned independent insurance agent, they can gain an understanding of the available options for coverage offered by a number of different insurers, and learn about typical exclusions and limitations included in most policies. They can also get answers to their questions about securing adequate coverage for their dairy operations, and help in evaluating the risks that are unique to their particular business.
In meeting with a local independent insurance agent, dairy owners should expect that she will probably request to visit their farm or ranch. Likely, she will also ask to tour the facilities to see where production, bottling or packaging, and other processes take place. She will want to assess whether a dairy operates out of an older building, if there are high risk adjacent exposures, like an unused, deteriorating barn, or if there are any harmful vapors being produced or flammable materials present in work areas. She might also ask about the number of employees working at a dairy, and about their typical duties, previous work experience, and any machinery or equipment operated on-site, and whether associated safety training is mandated.
A local independent insurance agent can recommend the proper commercial insurance for a dairy based on a variety of factors. She might request to review a business’s financial records, and she will probably ask whether a dairy has ever been cancelled by a former insurer for any reason other than that the insurer stopped writing that particular class of business. She will want to know the specific kinds of dairy products produced by an operation, along with typical volumes of each product sold per year, and whether a dairy owner plans to expand a business into more product areas, or decrease its size. She might also want to make sure that a dairy is not producing raw milk, which is prohibited from being covered under many insurance policies, and she may ask about any herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals that cows, goats, or chickens on the premises could be exposed to in the course of producing milk, or eggs.
By working with a local independent insurance agent to purchase adequate commercial insurance for their business, dairy owners can receive guidance and advice from a knowledgeable, trusted resource. An independent agent will discuss business property coverage, automobile insurance, livestock coverage, and other kinds of commercial insurance that a dairy owner may wish to include in their policy, and will provide an overview of the benefits of carrying sufficient coverage. With commercial insurance through a local independent insurance agent, dairy owners know that in the event of property damage, financial loss, or potential legal liability, their business can remain secure.