Long drives to rural locations, exposure to all the moving pieces on a working farm and limited access to sensitive areas have insurance companies recognizing a growing need for virtual inspections when evaluating farm properties.
Virtual inspections are an effective, safe way for insurers to manage their farm risks and help ensure their underwriting process is as fast and accurate as possible.
Farms have unique risks that are often difficult—or dangerous—for an inspector to navigate in-person. Chicken hatcheries and pig pens may present health hazards, or even be off-limits, if they’re areas where animals receive veterinary care. Fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals used in crop development can be hazardous for visitors, too.
Flipping the switch to virtual
With the difficulty of reaching rural farms or gaining access to restricted areas, a virtual inspection is becoming more expedient throughout the life of a policy. From quote to renewal, it’s the optimal way for insurers to account for most potential risks while also promoting safety and maintaining the normal workflow of a farm.
Internet on the farm
Digital transformations are affecting every industry, including agriculture: the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 75 percent of farms had Internet access in 2019,1 and more than half used smartphones or tablets to conduct farm business. So, insurers can engage farmers—and leverage their knowledge and experience—in the inspection process.
Virtual inspections are an effective, safe way for insurers to manage their farm risks and help ensure their underwriting process is as fast and accurate as possible. And Verisk’s suite of solutions can help you streamline inspections with greater efficiency and lower costs.
Learn how virtual inspection can help you manage your farm risks.
- USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, “Farm Computer Usage and Ownership,” August 2019.