USDA Makes Improvements to Tobacco Crop Insurance Policy

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 30, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced improvements to the flue cured tobacco crop insurance policy for the 2021 crop year. RMA has established distinct price tiers for contracted and non-contracted flue cured tobacco. Also, only flue cured tobacco grown under a contract will be eligible for quality adjustment. Additional information on this policy, including what constitutes a contract, can be found using RMA’s Actuarial Information Browser.

“These changes will help improve the integrity of the program and make it more sustainable going forward,” said Alexander Sereno, Director of RMA’s regional office in Raleigh. “Producers interested in this product should contact their local crop insurance agent before the sales closing date.”

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.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private insurance agents. A list of 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 https://www.rma.usda.gov/.