By Tanner Hood

Alfa Insurance® farmowner customers are reaping the benefits of best-in-class coverage options thanks to a system and policy overhaul project, which was completed Aug. 10. 

Alfa Senior Vice President of P&C and Life Operations Rex Seabrook said the new policy is designed to offer upgraded coverage options and much faster speed of delivery for Alabama farmers. 

“We have the most modern farm policy in the U.S. right now,” Seabrook said. “Our policy is a combination of the top industry language for farm insurance and our previous policy. We took out what isn’t applicable to Alabama while keeping what we already offer to provide the best, most up-to-date personal policy for our farmers.” 

The upgraded system is currently available for new customers and will go live for existing policyholders at their next renewal. It runs on Guidewire, a policy administration system used for Alfa’s other lines of business. Seabrook said farmowner customers will appreciate coverage enhancements and increased efficiencies. 

“What used to take weeks to complete can now be accomplished in a matter of minutes,” Seabrook said. “Under Guidewire, an agent clicks ‘submit’ on a form, and everything is done in real time. The mail goes out the next day, and if the customer has signed up for e-documents, they’ll probably receive their policy update in their email inbox within 20 minutes.” 

Enhanced policy coverage options include agritainment operations like corn mazes, weddings, hayrides and concessions; business disruption for any commodity; farm equipment breakdown including precision ag equipment; commercial general liability under the farmowner policy; different deductibles for individual pieces of machinery; and others. Also offered is a 35% discount for farm equipment with automatic fire suppression systems.

Autauga County Young Farmer Drew Wendland said the new coverage options and fire suppression discount are substantial for his family operation, Autauga Farming Co.

“We implemented an automatic fire suppression system for our cotton picker several years ago,” Wendland said. “We appreciate the opportunity to lower our premium because we were proactive in protecting our equipment. According to our agent, this discount could save us at least $1,200 a year.”

Wendland said the new option to choose deductibles for individual pieces of equipment and the coverage for precision ag equipment are game changers.

“We had to replace a tractor hood a few years back, but we paid out of pocket because our deductible was so high due to the large equipment also on our policy,” Wendland said. “Being able to have a deductible closer to the value of that piece of machinery is important to us so we don’t run into that problem again. We also use precision ag technology on most of our equipment, so individual coverage for that is great.”

Seabrook said he hopes other farmers also experience these benefits. The new policy platform enhancements include raising coverage limits for certain insured risks for all customers at no extra cost. Those increased coverage limits include cattle, horses, goats, pigs and more. 

Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa President Jimmy Parnell said the new policy system continues the companies’ commitment to serving farmers across the state. 

“Alfa cares about Alabama farmers,” Parnell said. “We took our time preparing this new policy and moving it over to Guidewire because we wanted to get it right without drastically impacting rates or coverages. Our customers deserve the best service and products, and I’m proud to say this policy does that with speed and options.”