The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency reminds Idaho producers affected by recent excessive rain and hail r elated crop damage of important procedures for claiming losses under the f ederal crop insurance program . All producers should refer to their crop insurance policies for complete details on providing notice of damage or loss.
In general, producers must give notice within 72 hours of the initial discovery of damage or loss of production of a planted crop, but not later than 15 days after the end of the insurance period . Additional provisions and timelines apply to crops insured with revenue protection . In the event there is no damage or loss of production for those who elect revenue cover age , producers must give notice no later than 45 days after the latest date the harvest price is released for any crop in the unit where there may be a revenue loss .
Losses may be reported by telephone or in person to a crop insurance agent within 72 hours , but must be confirmed in writing within 15 days. It is important that producers do not dispose of the crop s without contacting their insurance agent . Producers must get written consent from their insurance compan y before destroying any of the insure d crop that is not harvested or put to another use , putting the acreage to another use , or abandon ing any portion of the insured crop. Timely notices of damage and loss adjustment are extremely important for all crops .
For more information on duties in the event of damage, loss, abandonment, destruction, or alternative use of the crop or acreage , producers should refer to their individual crop insurance polic ies and contact their crop insurance agents .
Source:usda.gov