Farm Motor Insurance

Agricultural vehicles may be insured within a farm motor fleet policy, a wider farm combined arrangement or a separate motor policy, depending on the insurer and how the vehicles are used. Each vehicle should be declared with accurate details of its ownership, value, drivers and use, including whether it travels on public roads or is used for contracting.

Cover may be available for tractors, combines, telehandlers, sprayers, utility vehicles, trailers and other agricultural machinery. Whether a vehicle can be used on a public road depends on its registration, construction, condition and use, as well as the cover shown on the policy. Tell us how and where each vehicle will be used so we can arrange suitable cover; you remain responsible for meeting applicable road and licensing requirements.

Road Traffic Act cover is the minimum insurance needed to meet the requirements of road traffic law, but it is more limited than the cover most customers choose. Other options may include third-party only, third-party fire and theft, and comprehensive cover. The precise protection, exclusions and permitted uses vary by policy, so check your schedule and wording or ask your broker to explain the cover arranged.

Tell your broker about changes that could affect the cover, including buying, selling or replacing a vehicle; changes in use, drivers, values or storage; modifications; contracting work; or travel outside the area shown by the policy. Notify changes promptly rather than waiting until renewal.

No. Agricultural contracting work is not automatically covered. Tell your broker what work is undertaken, which vehicles are used and the proportion of operating hours spent working on other people’s farms compared with use on your own farm.

Cover may be available for tractors, combines, telehandlers, sprayers, utility vehicles, trailers and other agricultural machinery. Whether a vehicle can be used on a public road depends on its registration, construction, condition and use, as well as the cover shown on the policy. Tell us how and where each vehicle will be used so we can arrange suitable cover; you remain responsible for meeting applicable road and licensing requirements.

Cover may be available for trailers and implements, but the way they are insured can depend on whether they are attached to a vehicle, used independently, taken onto public roads or hired out. Insurers offer different limits under this extension, which may include £100,000, £150,000 or £250,000 for any one item. Give your broker full details of each item, its value and how it is used so that suitable cover and limits can be considered.

Yes. Tell your broker about relevant motoring convictions, licence restrictions, pending prosecutions and medical conditions that may affect a driver’s ability or legal entitlement to drive. Employers may also carry out periodic DVLA licence checks, with the driver’s permission, to identify changes and notify their broker or insurer where required. Drivers remain responsible for making any notifications required by the DVLA or another relevant licensing authority.

Farm motor policies do not usually apply the same driver age restrictions to tractors as they do to cars or commercial vehicles. A young driver may also be specifically named by endorsement on the policy schedule, allowing them to drive vehicles that would otherwise be restricted to drivers aged 25 or over. The driver must hold the correct valid licence, and you should check the policy schedule for any vehicle, age or use restrictions.

Provide a realistic current value for each vehicle, based on what it would cost to replace it with one of a similar age, hours, type and condition. Do not automatically use the original purchase price or finance balance. Values should be reviewed regularly, particularly after significant market changes, modifications or the addition of specialist equipment.

Provide a realistic current market value for each vehicle, taking account of its age, mileage, condition, specification and any modifications. The value should be reviewed regularly because prices can change. The amount paid following a claim will depend on the policy terms and the insurer’s assessment at the time of the loss.

Insurers may require particular security measures depending on the vehicle, its value and where it is kept. These can include removing keys, locking in buildings or compounds, using immobilisers or tracking devices and following any storage conditions shown in the policy. Check the requirements carefully because failure to follow them could affect a claim.

Tool-of-trade cover generally relates to damage caused while machinery or plant is being used for its working purpose, rather than simply being driven from one place to another. For example, different terms may apply while a loader is lifting or a sprayer is operating. The scope of cover and exclusions vary between policies, so describe each machine’s activities accurately and check the policy wording.