agricultural health insurance


Agricultural health insurance is certainly a priority for anyone who makes a living farming or working the land in any way. Working and living on a farm may sound like the ultimate in healthy living. However, you will find only two occupations that are much more dangerous; working in deep underground mines and driving trucks.

In Australia, it has been noted that an average of 85 deaths from injury occur on farms each year. Regarding injuries, you will find that between 20 and 60 percent of all reported cases each year result in treatment and/or hospital stays. However, that does not cover the total number of injuries that actually occur annually. Back pain, fractures and cuts, which patients do not report to insurance providers, hospitals or workers’ compensation, are not included in this number.

The impact of agricultural injuries goes far beyond what you might understand. Not only will the injured person be unable to function and likely to be very uncomfortable; there is also a great price for the farm economically. Farmers end up paying the cost of injuries in many ways. This is particularly true if agricultural health insurance is not available to workers.

There may be delays in performing any necessary farm functions if a farmer or skilled laborer will be the one to suffer the injury. There is a requirement to pay for feasible medical treatments and rehabilitation such as physiotherapy, for example. The price of hiring replacement workers and considering their salary requirements.

Any reported incident may result in a further accident or individual disability for members of the agricultural enterprise. In cases where incidents of injury have been reported, they can also result in higher workers’ compensation premium rates.

Farmers make sure they have protection against any possible agricultural injury, not only for themselves and their families, but also for any employees. This consists of an excellent safety and wellness management program and training for all involved. Information relevant to this can be obtained from the occupational health and safety regulatory bodies within your state. It is also of the utmost importance to ensure that you have a proper agricultural health insurance strategy in place as well.

You will find numerous insurance companies in Australia who can meet your precise needs. All it takes is some time to make sure all your requirements are included in any policy you select. With farming becoming such a labor intensive occupation, most insurance brokers will be happy to come to your farm directly to offer assistance along with your farm health insurance strategy.