Does Farm Insurance Cover Cattle?

Farms are unique businesses which face a variety of risks that are different from usual business risks and need the appropriate coverage to reflect their needs. Many of these insurance policies, known as farm insurance policies, also include coverage for livestock and cattle. 

Having living creatures under insurance is unique in itself, but cattle also face unique dangers such as wild animals. Without the appropriate insurance, you could face replacing your livestock and cattle out of pocket, which can be incredibly expensive. 

What Does Livestock Insurance Cover? 

Livestock insurance can cover the farm’s livestock in case they are injured or killed due to accidents such as: 

There are also endorsements you can add to your livestock insurance to cover other incidents such as wild animals. If coyotes attack and kill your cattle, a wild animal endorsement can help compensate for replacements.  

There are also other coverages available for attacks by dogs, accidental shooting, drowning, loading or unloading accidents, additional acquired livestock and falling objects. 

What Does Livestock Insurance Not Cover? 

Unfortunately, livestock insurance can’t cover everything when it comes to your farm animals. In general, livestock insurance does not cover the death of an animal caused by old age or disease. If your cattle ages and dies of natural causes, it may not be covered under a basic livestock insurance policy. 

There are different types of livestock insurance policies in regard to animal mortality, however: limited animal mortality and full animal mortality. 

A limited animal mortality coverage policy covers the death or injury of livestock and cattle covered by many of the above incidents, such as fire, collisions and vandalism. 

A full animal mortality coverage policy, on the other hand, can cover accidental and natural damages such as illness and sickness. Full animal mortality coverage does not cover preexisting conditions or injuries and death caused by the owner, such as an accidental shooting of the cattle by the owner. 

How Much is Livestock Insurance? 

The cost of livestock insurance for cattle varies depending on your location, number and value of cattle, size of the farm and other factors. Speak with an insurance agent about properly insuring your cattle to protect from expensive and possibly fatal accidents for your livestock.