The premiums for all of these crop insurance policies are subsidized by the Federal government. Subsidies tend to benefit those producers most who invest in higher levels of coverage. Part of a crop damaged by hail might be less than the deductible on an MPCI policy. In this instance, crop-hail insurance can fill the coverage gap. An MPCI policy protects against losses severe enough to significantly drop the whole farm's yield average.
Crop insurance is available only through private crop insurance agents.
Coverage for a crop must be arranged before its sales closing date. Premiums for the CAT portion of all crop insurance policies are fully subsidized by the Federal government, although most farmers will pay an administrative fee. Farmers with limited resources may be eligible for a waiver of the fee for CAT coverage. Any crop insurance agent can assist producers in determining if they are eligible for a fee waiver. Crop insurance is currently available on over 76 crops.