Landowners essentially bet the farm every day. A liability lawsuit could arise at any time and for any number of reasons. Many lawsuits arise from claims of negligence that result in bodily injury or property damage to others.
If a farmer’s cow escapes and eats the neighbor’s crop, the farmer may be liable for the damage to the crop. If the same cow is on the road way and gets hit by a vehicle, and the occupants of the vehicle are injured, once again the farmer could be liable.
A farmer/landowner may hire the teenager who lives next door to mow the ditch along the farmer’s fence row. If that teenager gets hurt, injures someone else, or damages the property of a third party, the landowner could be found liable.
If a landowner allows relatives, friends, neighbors, or even strangers to use their land for recreational purposes (such as hunting, fishing, ATV or snowmobile riding, hiking, etc.), the landowner could be liable for any injuries sustained by the other party.
Being found liable for an incident is costly. Without insurance, that cost may have to be paid out of pocket, putting your assets at risk.
Even if a landowner is not negligent in his actions, he or she may still be sued for bodily injury or property damage sustained by another. Most farm insurance policies will cover the cost of defending such a lawsuit.
Each and every farm is unique. And each and every farmer has different exposures. In order to make ends meet, many farmers may have an incidental business on the side, such as custom farming or feeding, or may be involved in other commercial activities.
In order to protect themselves, their families, and their farms, landowners should talk to a licensed insurance agent. An agent can help the farmer/landowner to craft a policy that covers the individual needs of the farmer.
Don’t be caught off guard
Contact Pardridge Insurance at 815-758-4447 to make sure your farming operation’s liability exposures are covered.