Important Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

SPOKANE, Wash., April 10, 2015 ― The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds nursery growers in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington of the May 1 deadline to purchase crop insurance. Nursery growers who already have coverage under the federal crop insurance program need to renew or modify their crop insurance policies before the sales closing date has passed. Growers applying for coverage for the first time may purchase a crop insurance policy at any time.

All applications, including those for new or amended coverage, are subject to a 30-day waiting period before commencement of coverage. Coverage begins 30 days after receipt of a signed application, a Plant Inventory Value Report (PIVR) for each insured practice, as applicable, and two copies of the grower’s most recent wholesale catalog or price list. Crop insurance provides protection against crop production losses 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.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers and online at the RMA Agent Locator. Growers 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.