In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the agricultural community in Western North Carolina is faced with a long and uncertain road to recovery. For many of the region’s farmers, an entire season’s worth of crops (and income) was lost in unforgiving flood waters following the storm.

While the path may seem perilous, WNC producers have help to guide them along the way. One of farmers’ first steps moving forward, according to Rod Rejesus, NC State Extension specialist in crop insurance and risk management, should be to promptly report crop losses to their insurance agent (as safe and reasonable conditions permit).

“Following a hurricane, the most important crop insurance action is for affected farmers to contact their agent, report their losses and arrange for adjusters to assess their losses,” said Rejesus. “This will help ensure that they get compensated sooner rather than later.”

North Carolina producers with federal crop insurance should contact their insurance agent to file a notice of loss or damage as soon as possible after discovering the damage. Once a loss has been reported to a farmer’s approved insurance provider (AIP), they will arrange for a loss adjuster to inspect the crop and determine whether the yield or crop value falls below their insurance guarantee.

It is the farmer’s responsibility to contact their insurance agent and initiate this process.

Insurance Actions to Take After the Storm

Following are key steps farmers should take with regards to crop insurance after a hurricane or other natural disaster. You can also download this Agricultural Policy and Risk Management Brief (PDF) that outlines these action items.

1. Contact your crop insurance agent and follow up in writing (keep a copy for your records). Producers with USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) administered crop insurance coverage, such as Yield Protection (YP) or Revenue Protection (RP) plans, should report hurricane-related damage within *72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days.

   *Learn more about the USDA-RMA’s Emergency Procedures and Flexibilities for Crops Damaged by Hurricane Helene.

2. If you have crop damage that affect your overall yield and crop value, you may be eligible to file a claim. It is your responsibility to call your crop insurance agent and initiate this process. When the claim is initiated, the crop insurance company will arrange for a loss adjuster to inspect your crop.
3. (IMPORTANT) While you wait for the adjuster, remember the following — Do NOT destroy any of your crop. Do NOT disk. Do NOT replant. Do nothing to destroy the crop until you have clearance and clear direction from the claims adjuster or an insurance company representative (preferably in writing). Keep representative samples of damage if possible. If applicable, you must continue to care for undamaged acreage until harvest or until your company appraises the crop and releases the acreage.
4. Find and prepare all crop insurance policy materials. Review you insurance coverage, insurance acres elected options or endorsements, locations of insured areas, etc. Make sure you have multiple copies of policy documents.
5. You may also need to find planting records, seed purchases and other evidence to show that you planted and/or cared for the insured crop prior to the hurricane. Having photos of production before the storm would be helpful. You may also need schedule F of your past tax records, as well as other sales records to further facilitate the claims process.
6. Take pictures and document the extent of damage as thoroughly as possible.
7. After you contact your agent, the crop insurance adjuster should contact you and schedule an appointment for an inspection. You should try to be present when the adjuster comes over to inspect the damage. The adjuster expects and welcomes your presence. Be sure to tell the adjuster what you want to say about the extent of the damage and your situation. The adjuster will ask a number of questions. In the end, the adjuster will determine whether your yield or revenue falls below the guarantee stated in your policy. Because conditions vary between geographic areas, loss determinations are based on each producer’s circumstances.
8. After the loss adjuster inspection, diligently follow up with your insurance agent until you receive your indemnity payments. Some indemnity payments may take a while, so be patient and plan for potential delays, as possible.

More Resources

• Overview of USDA Resources, Disaster Assistance Programs for Hurricane Helene-Impacted Farmers, Foresters and Communities
  What farmers need to know about documenting and reporting losses, what programs are available, how USDA is adding flexibility and how to work with them
• USDA-RMA Hurricane Helene Resources
  RMA is the federal agency in charge of crop insurance
• USDA-RMA Emergency Procedures for Crops Damaged by Hurricane Helene
  Emergency guidance provided to insurance adjusters regarding added flexibility and procedures related to the loss reporting and appraisal process with farmers

Managing Mental Health Along the Way

This process can be physically and emotionally taxing, especially following a major natural disaster. Please know that a variety of resources and expert help is available to assist with various aspects of the recovery process, be it insurance, mental well-being or otherwise.

Find farmer stress and mental health resources and/or call the North Carolina Farm Help Line at 1-844-325-3276 for assistance connecting with the resources you need. The help line is staffed 24/7 with trained professionals that have agricultural backgrounds and understand the unique burdens carried by farmers.