Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina

VALDOSTA, Ga., April 18, 2016 - USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina nursery growers the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage is May 1. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the May 1 sales closing date to do so. Growers applying for the first time may purchase coverage at any time.

Crop insurance provides protection against a loss in production due to natural perils such as wind, hurricane, and freeze. More information on nursery crop insurance is available at RMA's Nursery Policy Web page.

All applications, including those for new or amended coverage, are subject to a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. Coverage begins 30 days after receipt of a signed application, Plant Inventory Value Report for each insured practice, and two copies of the grower’s most recent wholesale catalog or price list.

Growers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2017 crop year. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Farmers can use the RMA Cost Estimator to get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs online. Learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at www.rma.usda.gov.