Common Mistakes That Increase the Insurance Cost for a Cattle Farm
- Nate Jones, CPCU, ARM, CLCS, AU
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The cost for cattle farm insurance can climb quickly, often because of preventable mistakes ranchers don’t even realise they’re making. Whether you run a cow‑calf, feedlot, back-grounding, or seed stock operation, insurers evaluate your risk profile carefully. Eliminating common errors can help you secure better pricing, stronger protection, and a smoother cattle farm insurance quote process.
Below are the top mistakes that drive premiums up, and how to avoid them.
1) Undervaluing or Overvaluing Livestock and Equipment
Accurate valuations are critical. Ranchers often make two major errors:
Undervaluing livestock → Leads to gaps and costly out‑of‑pocket losses.
Overvaluing equipment or structures → Inflates your premium unnecessarily.
Update values annually based on replacement cost, age groups (calves, bred cows, bulls), and market conditions.
2) Weak Fence, Gate, and Livestock Containment Practices
Insurers closely examine fencing and containment because escaped cattle can cause:
Auto accidents
Neighbour property damage
Injuries to the public
Poorly maintained fences or ageing gates increase liability exposure. Regular inspections and documented maintenance help lower risk and premium.
3) Not Keeping Detailed Safety & Herd Management Records
Underwriters want evidence of risk control. Missing documentation on:
Injury prevention
Working‑pen procedures
Equipment maintenance
can result in higher premiums or fewer carrier options.
4) Incomplete Equipment Maintenance and Storage Practices
Insurance costs rise when equipment is:
Stored outdoors without protection
Not regularly serviced
Lacking maintenance logs
Operated in unsafe or undocumented ways
These increase property and inland marine losses, often raising future premiums.
5) Poor Claims History Due to Preventable Losses
Livestock mortality, barn fires, fence failures, and worker injuries impact premiums for years. Many claims stem from preventable issues such as:
Faulty wiring in barns
Old heaters
Inadequate storm preparation
Untrained workers handling livestock
Resolving root causes quickly helps stabilise long‑term pricing.
6) Working With a Non‑Farm Specialist Agent
General insurance agents often miss:
Livestock valuation nuances
Mortality or broad‑form needs
PRF or drought‑related exposures
Correct equipment scheduling
Fence/corral considerations for liability
A farm‑focused agency ensures your coverage reflects your operation, helping avoid costly mistakes and inflated premiums.
Get Better Pricing for Your Cattle Farm Insurance
Not every insurer understands livestock valuation, fencing systems, drought exposure, or cattle‑handling risks. Wexford Insurance partners with top‑rated carriers that specialise in cattle farm insurance, helping ranchers avoid these common mistakes and secure the right limits, deductibles, and policy structure, at competitive pricing.
👉 Request your Cattle Farm Insurance quote from Wexford Insurance today and keep your herd, equipment, and operation fully protected.
