For a lot of people, Farm Bureau is insurance. Sure, it’s a kind of insurance against government policies running roughshod over farmers and rural New York. But it is also real insurance too, the stuff of policies and pay-outs.

When the state Farm Bureaus of the Northeast created Farm Family insurance company in 1955, farmers couldn’t obtain very good, affordable insurance. Since then, the idea of insurance has been closely associated with Farm Bureau.

Farmers built Farm Family and many served — and continue to serve — on its Board of Directors. The company is best known to the farm community for its SFP- 10 ®, Special Farm Package 10 ®, property insurance policy expressly designed for agribusinesses. Today, Farm Family offers many different insurance products, but remains committed to New York farmers, agribusinesses and their families.

“Please know that in Farm Family you have a strong partner,” said Tim Walsh, Farm Family President and CEO, “We have your interests and those of your neighbors at the heart of our business--and our future as well.”

Farm Bureau makes application for coverage for at least five types of insurance available to its members, but it is not, itself, an insurance company. Rather, it is through several companies that Farm Bureau offers these insurance products. To apply for these coverages, you must join the Farm Bureau, a fact that — over the years — has made some people think that Farm Bureau was, itself, an insurance company. Not exactly, in fact, not at all.

Agribusiness and Personal Insurance
Farm Family — officially called Farm Family Life Insurance Company and Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company in New York State — made its mark in the insurance world with its agribusiness products because so few companies were willing to insure farms and farm property. It remains Farm Family’s specialty. As a matter of fact, many of Farm Family’s agents come from agriculture backgrounds.

Farm Family has also recently introduced new personal lines products including auto, home, motorcycle, boat and recreational vehicle, to further meet the needs of New York Farm Bureau members.

Becoming a member of Farm Bureau is still a requirement for anyone choosing to purchase insurance from Farm Family.

Members who join Farm Bureau and become eligible to apply for Farm Family insurance are encouraged to renew their membership year after year.

To learn more about the full range of Farm Family insurance products, visit www.farmfamily.com or call 1-800-THE-FARM (1- 800-843-3276).

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
As a member benefit, every member of New York Farm Bureau and their immediate family under the age of 23 is automatically covered by a group Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance policy from Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company. AD&D insurance coverage is one of those things everyone hopes is never needed, but it is good to know it is there when needed.

No payment other than yearly dues is required. It is an automatic benefit of membership. The maximum first-year pay-out is $2,500. For every year of uninterrupted membership renewal the amount increases by $500, up to a maximum of $7,500.

Please note, however, that if you join as a business — in your business’ name — you do not qualify. The membership must be in an individual’s name to qualify.

If you would like to learn more about your AD&D coverage, please call New York Farm Bureau Member Services at 1-800-342- 4143.

Health and Dental Insurance
New York Farm Bureau has offered several different health insurance programs to its members over the years. We know it is a serious need and that many members are in dire need of an affordable, workable health insurance program.

Highly restrictive state laws in New York make it difficult to create and offer such a program. It seems like something that should be easy to set up, but it’s not. But it’s not impossible, either.

New York Farm Bureau — on a regionalized statewide basis- now offers a health insurance program, too. It is offered through a broker: Jay Gerlitz & Associates, of Somers, N.Y.

“Since introducing the plan through Gerlitz, New York Farm Bureau has seen approximately 40 members’ sign up for it,” said Kevin Cook, manager of member services for New York Farm Bureau. “And the number is growing steadily.”

Dental insurance coverage is also available for Farm Bureau members through the Gerlitz agency.

For more information about health insurance or dental insurance, call New York Farm Bureau Member Services at 1-800- 342-4143.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance
It’s a rare farm nowadays that doesn’t hire employees, and that means farmers need a source of affordable, dependable workers’ compensation insurance. So in 1967 New York Farm Bureau established “Safety Group 486” to gain access to the New York State Insurance Fund.

Here’s how it works: Farm Bureau members of Safety Group 486 are evaluated as a group of agricultural employers. These employers are eligible to receive a dividend each year, based upon the safety performance of their group. If the employer-members of the group provide safe working conditions, and as a result pay out less in workers’ compensation claims, members of the Safety Group can receive a refund of a major portion of their premiums.

Farm Bureau Safety Group 486 is a good deal for farmers. By obtaining needed workers’ compensation insurance through Safety Group 486, farmers can be eligible for an up-front discount of up to 20%. Safety Group 486 members can get a deferral of the assessment charge until the following year, and be eligible for a dividend check each fall that has averaged 31% over the past five years (future dividends not guaranteed). In addition, work places covered by Safety Group 486 are eligible for safety inspections through the New York State Insurance Fund.

“It’s more than just acquiring workers’ compensation insurance,” says Cook. “You also have the satisfaction of knowing that modest earnings on workers’ compensation insurance by New York Farm Bureau support important programs that serve New York farmers every day.”

Whether you currently have your workers’ compensation coverage through a standard insurance company, a self-insured trust, or directly with the New York State Insurance Fund General Group 90, or are looking to obtain workers’ compensation insurance for the first time, applying to Safety Group 486 is easy.

Call New York Farm Bureau’s Member Services Department at 1-800-342-4143 to request a price quote and application materials.