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Podcast

Not Your Grandpa’s Crop Insurance

By August 26, 2025No Comments
Text: Episode 6 of The Accel Advantage Podcast - Not Your Grandpa's Crop Insurance with Brett Walker and Ryan Greiner. Image also shows gradient background and headshots of Ryan and Brett.

Navigating Modern Crop Insurance

The world of agriculture and agribusiness is constantly evolving, and so are the tools farmers can use to protect their operations. In a recent episode of The Accel Advantage podcast, host Corey Rekers, President of Property & Casualty Insurance, sat down with Brett Walker and Ryan Greiner from The Accel Group’s crop department to discuss the latest updates in crop insurance, disaster payments, and insurance strategies that go beyond the basics.

Whether you’re a lifelong farmer or new to the industry, understanding your insurance options and the deadlines tied to them can make the difference between weathering a tough season and facing unnecessary losses.

Farmers by Trade

Both Brett and Ryan bring firsthand farming experience to their work at The Accel Group. Brett, a founding member of the agency’s crop department in 2004, has watched it grow from zero policies to covering over 4% of Iowa’s total row crop acreage. Ryan, who joined in 2024, brings 15 years of crop insurance experience and a background in grain marketing, hedging strategies, and more.

Their dual roles give them a unique perspective on what coverage truly works in the real world.

Understanding Disaster Payments for Farmers

One of the most timely topics is the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). This federal program helps farmers recover from crop losses in 2023 and 2024.

Key points farmers should know:

  • Two stages of payments: Stage 1 uses pre-filled forms (FSA 526) for those with prior multi-peril crop insurance losses. Stage 2, expected this fall, may require submitting yield documentation.
  • Coverage boost: Payments are calculated at a 95% coverage level, even if your original crop insurance was 80–85%. Lower coverage levels get adjusted upward (e.g., 75% to 92.5%).
  • Partial payouts: Initial payments are 35% of the total calculated amount.
  • Future requirement: Accepting an SDRP payment means committing to carry crop insurance for the next two years (minimum 60% coverage).

This program can be a crucial cash flow boost, especially with lower commodity prices and rising input costs.

ARC and PLC Program Updates

The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs have seen significant updates:

  • Higher reference prices and loan rates act as a safety net for many farmers.
  • Expanded base acre additions for previously uncovered acres.
  • Increased subsidies for certain crop insurance coverages.

These changes aim to strengthen financial resilience during market downturns or yield declines.

Exploring Crop Insurance Options Beyond the Basics

Brett and Ryan emphasize that today’s crop insurance is not “one-size-fits-all.” Farmers have multiple products they can stack for tailored protection.

SCO and ECO Coverage

  • Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) now extends coverage from 90% down to your base crop insurance level (previously 86%).
  • Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) covers from 95% down to 90%, offering strong price and yield protection at subsidized rates.
  • Both are area-based plans, making them especially useful if your county averages are higher than your own APH (Actual Production History).

Margin Protection & MCO

  • Margin Protection locks in coverage based on expected costs and revenues, protecting profitability.
  • The Margin Coverage Option (MCO) sets discovery prices in September, which can be advantageous in volatile markets.

The Right Blend of Products and Coverage

Successful risk management often means combining products:

  • Use base coverage plus SCO/ECO for high-level protection.
  • Layer margin protection for cost-revenue balance.
  • Explore private crop products for additional flexibility.

The Accel Group helps farmers assess how these products fit together and stay ahead of crucial deadlines.

Beyond crop insurance, The Accel Group offers various other services that could be beneficial for farmers, including but not limited to farm property & casualty insurance (equipment, liability, trucking, seed/chemical operations), wealth management and estate planning for farm succession, group and individual health plans for farmers, and livestock insurance.

As Corey mentioned, there’s no shortage of levers to pull, but the key is knowing about them and understanding them. This isn’t your grandpa’s crop insurance!

Tune in to the full episode:

Ready to review your coverage options? Get a quote online or give us a call to connect with a crop insurance specialist who understands farming from the ground up.

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