Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 15, 2020 — The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds beekeepers and pasture, rangeland and forage producers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage under the Rainfall Index program for the 2021 crop year is November 15, 2020. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until November 15 to do so.

The Rainfall Index is a group policy that covers apiculture as well as pasture, rangeland and forage grown for grazing or harvested for hay. The Rainfall Index uses National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. Insurance payments to a producer who suffers a loss are calculated on the deviation from normal precipitation with the area and time period selected. 

A nationwide insurance coverage map is available on the RMA website at https://public-rma.fpac.usda.gov/apps/PRF. A mapping tool is also available for producers to locate which land is insurable and has historical data and coverage details. Additional information can be found on the Actuarial Information Browser page on the RMA website. 

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorizing additional flexibilities due to coronavirus while continuing to support producers, working through Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to deliver services, including processing policies, claims and agreements. RMA staff are working with AIPs and other customers by phone, mail and electronically to continue supporting crop insurance coverage for producers. Farmers with crop insurance questions or needs should continue to contact their insurance agents about conducting business remotely (by telephone or email). More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus. 

Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the 2021 crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the sales closing date. Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online using the RMA Agent Locator. Producers 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.