Modern agriculture is more complex than ever. It isn’t just farming – it’s a mix of home, business, and heavy industry. With that comes a broader and more complex risk profile. 

Here are some of the most common exposures Saskatchewan farmers face: 

Weather and Natural Disasters
Hail, drought, windstorms, and early frost are part of farming in Saskatchewan. Crop insurance is essential, but it does not cover damage to buildings, bins, or equipment. 

Fire Risk
Grain dust, fuel storage, and heavy machinery increase fire exposure. Shop and combine fires can cause major losses and bring operations to a halt. 

Theft and Vandalism
Rural properties can be vulnerable to theft. Common targets include GPS systems, fuel, copper wiring, and machinery. 

Diversified Farm Operations
Custom farming, agritourism, direct sales, and livestock operations all introduce new liability risks that may not be covered under a standard farm policy. 

Even well-managed operations can have gaps in coverage. These are some of the most overlooked areas: 

Equipment Values
Today’s machinery represents a major investment. If values aren’t kept current, a claim payout may fall short of replacement cost – especially if depreciation applies. 

Loss of Use Coverage
If a key piece of equipment goes down during seeding or harvest, downtime can be costly. Coverage that helps rent replacement equipment can keep your operation moving. 

Blanket vs Scheduled Equipment Coverage
Blanket coverage offers flexibility across multiple pieces of equipment, while scheduled coverage assigns specific values to each item. The right approach depends on your operation – but in both cases, accuracy of values is critical. 

Leased or Financed Equipment
Lenders often require specific coverage and loss payee wording. Missing these details can create unexpected costs. 

Unscheduled Equipment and Tools
Items such as GPS systems, generators, pumps, tools, and ATVs may not be fully covered unless they are specifically included in your policy. 

Liability exposure on farms is often underestimated and can lead to significant financial loss. 

• On-site injuries to suppliers, workers, or visitors  

• Livestock incidents that result in road accidents  

• Custom farming work on other land  

• Agritourism activities such as farm tours or events  

These exposures can lead to significant claims if coverage isn’t properly structured. 

Stored grain, seed, and feed represent significant value and need to be insured correctly. 

• Grain values should reflect current market prices and stored volumes  

• Seed should be insured at replacement cost  

• Hay, straw, and silage should have enough coverage to avoid operational disruption  

These items are not always fully covered unless declared and updated regularly. 

Farms don’t stand still-and neither should your insurance. 

You may have: 

• Purchased or upgraded equipment  

• Acquired or rented additional land  

• Expanded into new revenue streams  

• Brought family members into the business  

Even small changes can lead to coverage gaps. 

Spring is one of the best times to review your policy before the season is in full swing. 

Farm insurance is not one size fits all. It should reflect how your operation actually runs today and where it’s going tomorrow. 

At Atlas York, we take a practical, on-the-ground approach to building insurance programs that fit your operation – not just a template. 

If you have not reviewed your farm insurance in the past year, now is the time. 

Contact us today to book an on-site, virtual, or in-office review and head into the season with confidence.