What Crops Are Covered By Crop Insurance?

In 2020, U.S. farmers faced over $12 billion in crop losses due to weather-related disasters, according to the USDA(American Farm Bureau). Consider a Kansas wheat farmer who lost his entire harvest to an unexpected hailstorm. Without crop insurance, he was left with little more than a devastated field. Had he been covered, he could have received a payout to recover some of his financial losses. This story underscores why understanding crop insurance coverage is crucial. Crop insurance isn’t just a backup plan; it’s the financial lifeline that could decide whether your farm survives a disaster.

Crop insurance protects farmers from the unpredictable nature of agriculture—whether it’s drought, floods, hail, or pests. But not all crops are covered in the same way, and different types of insurance offer varying levels of protection depending on the crop. Knowing what’s covered and how it applies to your specific situation can make all the difference when disaster strikes.

For farmers, understanding the ins and outs of crop insurance isn’t just about securing your investment; it’s about being prepared for whatever nature throws your way. Without this knowledge, farmers risk facing financial ruin, as different insurance approaches address various aspects of potential losses.

What Types of Crops Are Typically Covered by Crop Insurance?

When it comes to crop insurance, not all crops are created equal. The USDA offers a variety of coverage options tailored to different crop types, and each comes with its own set of rules, risks, and eligibility requirements. Whether you’re farming row crops, growing fruit in orchards, or managing forage for livestock, it’s crucial to understand what’s covered—and how that coverage may vary across the country.

Field Crops

Field crops form the core of American agriculture, and they make up the bulk of insured acres each year. These staples include:

• Corn
• Soybeans
• Wheat
• Rice
• Oats

These crops are widely covered under Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI), which protects against common risks like drought, flooding, disease, and pests. But even here, coverage options can vary by region, especially in areas where certain field crops aren’t as widely grown or face different environmental risks.

Specialty Crops

Specialty crops are a diverse and high-value group that includes:

• Fruits: Apples, grapes, peaches, and more.
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc.
• Tree Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, pistachios.
• Nursery and Horticultural Crops: Ornamentals, flowers, shrubs, and trees for landscaping.

Because of their high value and unique growing requirements, specialty crops often have customized insurance policies. Some are covered under federal programs, while others may require private or state-backed plans. The specific fruits, vegetables, and nuts eligible for coverage often depend on their importance in a given region. For example, citrus crops in Florida or grapes in California may have very different insurance options than crops in the Midwest.

Forage and Pasture Crops

Livestock producers depend on healthy pasture and forage, which makes insurance for these crops just as important as for grains or vegetables. Commonly insured forage and pasture crops include:

• Alfalfa
• Clover
• Grass hay
• Rangeland and native pasture

These crops are usually protected under Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) insurance, which is designed to help offset feed losses due to low rainfall. Again, availability and policy structure vary by location, depending on climate conditions and forage types typical for that area.

By understanding the types of crops that are typically covered by crop insurance, farmers can better match their operations with the right kind of protection. Each crop comes with its own risks, and insurance helps buffer those risks before they become disasters.

However, knowing what’s covered is only part of the picture. Where you farm can also significantly shape your insurance options. Let’s take a look at how regional factors play into all of this.

How Regional Factors Impact Coverage

Where you farm can matter just as much as what you farm. Crop insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal—it’s shaped by climate, soil conditions, crop history, and even local policy. And trust me, these regional differences can make or break your coverage options.

USDA Zones & Regional Risk Maps

Let’s start with the USDA. The agency uses regional data—like weather patterns, growing seasons, and historical yields—to determine what crops can be insured in a particular area. So, if you’re growing a crop that’s not typical for your region, it might not be eligible for standard federal coverage. You might need to explore private insurance or state-supported programs instead.

For example, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) won’t offer the same coverage for citrus growers in Texas as they do for Florida. Even if you’re growing the same oranges, the regional climate and historical data shift your risk profile, which means your premiums, payout triggers, or even eligibility might look different.

It’s Not Just Geography—It’s Risk

Take Midwestern corn vs. California grapes. Corn in Iowa is practically the poster child for federal crop insurance—tons of data, clear yield expectations, and lots of historical info to set solid baselines. But grapes in Sonoma? Totally different ballgame. Coverage for vineyards is often more specialized, sometimes requiring written agreements or additional documentation to prove insurability, especially if you’re growing a niche variety.

Here’s another one—forage insurance. If you’re running cattle in Nevada and depending on native rangeland, you’re likely using Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (PRF) coverage. But in Wisconsin, you might rely more on alfalfa and clover, which fall under different rules. Same purpose—feed for animals—but completely different insurance setups based on region and forage type.

At the end of the day, understanding your region’s influence on crop insurance helps you avoid surprises when it really counts. Next up, let’s look at the different types of policies you can choose from—and how they stack up depending on your goals.

Types of Crop Insurance Policies and Their Impact on Coverage

Choosing the right crop insurance policy isn’t just a paperwork decision—it can completely change how protected your farm really is. Some policies are built to shield you from unpredictable weather, while others help keep your bottom line safe when markets drop. The key is knowing how each type works—and what makes the most sense for your operation.

Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI): All-in-One Risk Coverage

MPCI is kind of the go-to option for most farmers. Why? Because it covers a wide range of natural disasters—think droughts, floods, hailstorms, frost, and even disease. If Mother Nature hits hard, this policy steps in to cushion the financial blow.

It’s also backed by the federal government and widely available for major field crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, and cotton. But—and this is a big but—eligibility and coverage terms still vary by crop and location, so it’s worth double-checking what applies to your operation.

Revenue Protection (RP) & Yield Protection (YP): When Price and Production Matter

These two sound similar, but they handle different risks. Revenue Protection helps you out when prices drop or yields fall short—it locks in a revenue target and makes up the difference if either side fails. This is perfect for farmers who are exposed to both market volatility and production swings.

Yield Protection, on the other hand, only focuses on your harvest numbers. It’ll pay out if your yield drops due to covered events—but it won’t step in if the market crashes. That’s why some folks say RP is like a “belt and suspenders” option: more security, especially in today’s unpredictable markets.

Both are most common with staple field crops and are part of the federally subsidized insurance lineup, so they’re often affordable and accessible—but not always the best fit for specialty crops or smaller-scale operations.

Area Risk Protection (ARP): Your Coverage Follows the County, Not Just You

Area Risk Protection is a bit different. Instead of insuring your individual yield or revenue, it covers the average performance of a larger area—like a county. That means if your neighbors are also struggling with poor weather or pests, you’ll likely get a payout—even if your own fields didn’t take the worst hit.

This kind of policy is popular in regions where farms are closely tied in production patterns or where getting individual data is tough. But it also means that if your crop fails and your neighbors do fine, you might not get anything. It’s a gamble—one that might make sense if you want broader coverage at a potentially lower premium.

So, which policy should you choose? That depends on what risks keep you up at night. Weather? Markets? Both? Understanding these options helps you match the right protection to your farm’s needs.

But even with all these policy choices, not every crop qualifies. Some crops fall outside the safety net entirely—either due to risk, lack of data, or limited availability in certain areas. That’s what we’re diving into next.

Crops Not Covered by Crop Insurance

Here’s the tough pill: not everything gets a safety net.

While crop insurance covers a wide range of crops, especially the big-ticket ones like corn and soybeans, some crops just don’t make the cut. And if you’re growing them, you’ve got to know where those gaps are before it’s too late.

Common Exclusions

Some crops simply aren’t insurable under federal programs. These often include:

• Small-scale niche crops
• Unusual heirloom varieties
• Certain herbs or specialty flowers
• Newly introduced crops with limited yield data

These crops might still be important—financially or culturally—but if there’s not enough historical data or if they’re too risky to underwrite, the USDA and private insurers might not offer a plan for them.

Why Some Crops Don’t Get Coverage

So, why are these crops left out?

Usually, it boils down to a few things:

• Lack of data: If there’s not enough reliable info on yield trends or pricing, insurers can’t set fair premiums.
• High volatility: Some crops are just too risky year-to-year.
• Low acreage or demand: If only a small number of farms grow it, the demand for coverage isn’t high enough to justify a full program.
• Not part of the federal crop insurance framework: Some crops just haven’t been added to the official USDA list—at least not yet.

That doesn’t mean growers of these crops are completely out of options. There are alternative risk management tools out there—but figuring out what’s available starts with one key step:

You need to know whether your specific crop is actually covered. So, how do you find that out? Let’s walk through it.

How to Determine if Your Crop is Covered by Crop Insurance

Alright, let’s get practical—because guessing if your crop is covered won’t cut it. If you want to avoid surprises during a bad season, you’ve got to check if your specific crop is actually eligible for insurance.

Step 1: Start with the USDA’s RMA Database

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has a public database you can search by crop and county. This tool is gold—it shows you what crops are insurable in your area, what types of policies are available, and even breaks down coverage levels. You can find it on the RMA’s website.

Step 2: Check for Specialty or Pilot Programs

If you grow something less common—like lavender, mushrooms, or heirloom tomatoes—don’t assume you’re out of luck. Some crops might not be in the standard programs, but they are covered under pilot projects or through the Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) plan. WFRP is a catch-all for diverse farms and specialty producers, especially in direct-to-market setups.

Step 3: Talk to a Local Crop Insurance Agent

Online tools are helpful, but nothing beats talking to someone who knows your area. A licensed agent familiar with your county’s crops can help you navigate the fine print, explain regional exceptions, and show you your real options. These folks are used to walking farmers through weird edge cases, so bring your questions.

Step 4: Ask About New Coverage or Custom Plans

The USDA is always updating what crops are insurable. If yours isn’t listed yet, it may be under review—or you may qualify for something under a broader category. For some crops, growers have even successfully pushed for pilot programs by showing there’s enough regional interest.

Knowing whether your crop is covered is the foundation for every other risk management decision you’ll make.

FAQs on What Crops Are Covered By Crop Insurance?

Conclusion

Let’s be real—crop insurance isn’t just paperwork. It’s the backup plan that can keep your farm running when Mother Nature throws a tantrum or the markets nosedive. Whether you grow field staples like corn or niche crops like tomatoes, understanding what’s covered—and what’s not—is key to protecting your hard work.

But don’t stop at just knowing the basics. Take action.

• Make a list of all the crops you grow.
• Check the USDA’s list of insurable crops or talk to a local insurance agent.
• Ask questions about regional rules, coverage limits, and policy types.
• Compare policies—don’t assume one size fits all.

Seriously, don’t wait for a disaster to realize you were underinsured. Too many farmers learn that lesson the hard way. Be proactive. Take the time now to find the right policy for your unique setup.

If you’re not sure where to start, reach out. Your local FSA office or crop insurance agent can walk you through it step by step.

You’ve put time, sweat, and probably more than a few sleepless nights into your farm—so protect it like it deserves. Planning today could save your entire season tomorrow.