| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Lee Boyer |
| June 20, 2005 | (406) 444-2402 TTY (406) 444-4687 |
Storms a Reminder to Check Hail Insurance
HELENA, Mont. — Recent moisture and the onset of thunderstorms should serve as a reminder to crop producers to secure hail insurance coverage for their 2005 crops.
State Hail Insurance is available for most of the crops grown in Montana. Coverage limits have increased in each of the past three years, says Lee Boyer, a bureau chief for the Montana Department of Agriculture, which operates the hail program.
Current limits under the program are $40 per acre on non-irrigated crops and $56 per acre on irrigated crops. Premium costs depend on the insured amount, the county historic average for hail losses, and the crop being insured. A 4 percent discount is given to producers who pay for their premiums in cash. Policies take effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the purchase.
The State Hail Board has issued partial refunds to producers participating in the program in each of the past two years. The board may authorize refunds when hail damage is light and insurance premiums exceed costs including damage payouts, administrative costs and actuarial needs of the program.
Applications for insurance through the State Hail Insurance Program are available at county property and assessment offices of the Montana Department of Revenue. For more information about the program, contact Justin Siderits, hail program specialist at the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-2402, or by email at agr@mt.gov.
