Crop Insurance
Billings, Bozeman, Choteau, Conrad, Cut Bank, Great Falls, Helena, Livingston, Shelby

With access to a wide range of trusted crop insurance providers, we’ll work with you to find the right coverage for your farm’s unique needs—backed by the personal service you deserve.

What Is Crop Insurance?

Crop insurance helps protect your farm’s income if your crops are damaged or lost due to things like bad weather, pests, or other unexpected problems. It’s available for many types of crops—like corn, wheat, soybeans, barley, and canola—and can be tailored to fit the size and needs of your operation. Whether you run a large farm or a smaller one, crop insurance gives you peace of mind and helps keep your business running strong.

How Does Crop Insurance Work?

Crop insurance is a financial safety net for farmers. It helps protect against losses caused by natural disasters—like droughts, floods, or hail—as well as unexpected drops in market prices. When a covered loss occurs, the farmer submits a claim, and an adjuster assesses the damage. If the loss is validated, the insurance provider pays out according to the policy terms. This ensures farmers have the financial stability to recover and replant, helping maintain long-term viability.

What Is Covered Under Crop Insurance?

Coverage varies depending on the type of crop and policy selected, but common covered events include:

• Natural disasters like hail, drought, flooding, frost, and wind
• Insect infestations and plant diseases
• Price fluctuations in the commodity market
• Yield shortfalls due to uncontrollable environmental factors

Many policies are federally subsidized and come in two main types: Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) and Crop-Hail Insurance, allowing flexibility based on your specific risks and exposures.

What is Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI)?

MPCI helps protect your crops by allowing you to insure a portion of your usual harvest, based on your farm’s historical production. If you end up harvesting less than that due to things like weather or pests, your policy can help cover the loss.

MPCI Coverage Options:

• Adverse weather conditions
• Fire
• Insects
• Plant disease
• Wildlife
• Earthquake
• Volcanic eruption
• Failure of irrigation water supply
• Hail
• Whole farm revenue
• Livestock gross margin policy
• Dairy price fluctuation

Additional Federal Crop Insurance Options

In addition to traditional federal crop insurance policies, there are supplemental and specialty coverages designed to provide additional layers of protection for specific types of agricultural operations.

Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO)

The supplemental coverage option (SCO) is an add-on to a federal crop insurance policy that helps cover a portion of an agricultural operation’s deductible. SCO provides area-based protection, meaning it is triggered by county-level yield or revenue losses rather than losses on an individual farm. When a county’s results fall below a set threshold, SCO may provide an additional payment to help offset broader regional losses.

SCO can be a useful option for ag operations looking to strengthen their overall risk management strategy while maintaining their primary federal crop insurance coverage.

Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO)

The enhanced coverage option (ECO) builds on the same concept as SCO but offers a higher level of protection. ECO allows ag operations to elect additional coverage bands above standard federal crop insurance levels, providing protection closer to expected production or revenue levels.

Like SCO, ECO is based on area-level performance and is designed to supplement, not replace, an underlying federal crop insurance policy.

Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) Insurance

Pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) insurance is a federal crop insurance program designed for producers who rely on pasture, rangeland, or forage for grazing or hay production. Unlike traditional crop insurance, PRF coverage is based on a rainfall index rather than individual production yields.

If precipitation in a designated area falls below historical averages during selected time periods, the policy may trigger a payment. PRF can be an important risk management tool for livestock and forage producers facing weather-related challenges, particularly in regions where rainfall variability significantly influences forage growth.

Important Note About Federal Programs

Participation in federal crop insurance programs can impact eligibility for certain USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs. In some cases, producers who do not carry federal crop insurance may not qualify for specific disaster assistance or other federal support programs. Maintaining federal crop insurance coverage can help you access a broader range of risk management and assistance options.

What Is Crop-Hail Insurance?

Crop-hail insurance offers extra protection for your crops in case of hailstorms—one of the few weather events that can completely wipe out part of a field while leaving the rest untouched. Unlike some federal crop insurance programs, crop-hail policies can be purchased at any time during the growing season and often provide coverage down to the acre. It’s a great way to fill gaps in your primary policy and make sure you’re covered for one of nature’s most unpredictable risks.

What Is Agribusiness Insurance?

Agribusiness insurance goes beyond crops—it’s a complete risk management solution for the entire farming operation. It can include: 

• Property insurance for buildings, equipment, and machinery
• Liability coverage for on-farm accidents and product issues
• Business interruption coverage to help manage financial losses during downtime
• Employee-related insurance, such as workers compensation

This coverage is ideal for larger, more complex farming operations or those with commercial processing, packaging, or distribution elements.

Does My Farm Need Insurance?

Yes—if you’re operating a working farm, insurance is essential. Farming is inherently risky due to factors like unpredictable weather, fluctuating commodity prices, and equipment breakdowns. Insurance protects your livelihood by ensuring you can recover from unexpected setbacks without jeopardizing your long-term business goals. Whether you’re raising livestock, growing crops, or both, the right coverage gives you peace of mind.

Does a Homestead Need Insurance?

Even small-scale or hobby farms—like homesteads—benefit from insurance. Homesteads may involve livestock, gardens, small crops, or equipment that can still face similar risks as large farms. Plus, if you host visitors, sell produce, or use heavy tools, liability exposure increases. While not all standard homeowners’ policies cover farming activities, a tailored policy can provide the protection you need for your land, tools, structures, and any side income your homestead generates.

Crop Insurance Built Around You

We know every farm is different, and we’re here to support the unique needs of your operation. Our team offers local, tailored insurance solutions for a wide range of agricultural industries, including (but not limited to):

• Crop Owners
• Dairy Farmers
• Orchard and Vineyard Owners
• Retail and Wholesale Fruit/Grocery Markets

With years of hands-on experience and strong relationships in the crop industry, we understand the risks you face and how to help protect against them. We’re proud to serve all farmers and producers as an equal opportunity provider.

What Crop Insurance Services Does Leavitt Great West Insurance Offer?

• Competitive rates for hail and other private crop insurance coverages
• Hay fire coverages with high insurance limits, including coverage for overseas transit
• Free mapping for all of your farm units
• Unparalleled knowledge and service for multi-peril crop insurance
• Quarterly crop insurance newsletter to keep you up to date on coverages, changes, additions, and deadlines of all crop insurance programs

Ready to Protect Your Operation?

No matter the size or type of your farm, we’re here to help you face the unexpected with confidence. At Leavitt Great West Insurance, our goal is to make sure you have the right coverage in place—so you can focus on what you do best. Reach out to our team today to explore your options and see how we can support your farm’s future.

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USDA RMA Required Statements

Non-discrimination Statement

Leavitt Great West Insurance Services, LLC is an equal opportunity provider and employer. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted of funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Collection of Information and Data (Privacy Act) Statement

The following statements are made in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a): The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C. 1501-1524) or other Acts, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to solicit the information requested on documents established by RMA, or by approved insurance providers (AIPs), that have been approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC), to deliver Federal crop insurance. The information is necessary for AIPs and RMA to operate the Federal crop insurance program, determine program eligibility, conduct statistical analysis, and ensure program integrity. Information provided herein may be furnished to other Federal, State, or local agencies, as required or permitted by law, law enforcement agencies, courts or adjudicative bodies, foreign agencies, magistrate, administrative tribunal, AIPs contractors and cooperators, Comprehensive Information Management System (CIMS), congressional offices, or entities under contract with RMA.

For insurance agents, certain information may also be disclosed to the public to assist interested individuals in locating agents in a particular area.