Crop Insurance Today Second Quarter 2023 - 29

tool with the objective of increasing awareness
and greater participation. This targeted effort
is another example of the crop insurance program
seeking to provide valuable protection to
farmers and growers of crops, products, and
farm-size often different from traditional major
crop programs.
RMA continued its annual efforts of evaluating
areas for expanding existing crop programs,
including expansion of 12 existing programs-
apples, peaches, grapes, blueberries, pecans,
cotton, popcorn, dry beans, and others-into a
total of 15 states and 52 counties to provide wider
availability of coverage. In addition, there was
expansion of the PACE endorsement to select
counties in 11 states, and the High-Risk Alternate
Coverage Endorsement for cotton in several
states and counties.
RMA sent an updated 2022 Specialty Crop
Report to Congress that highlighted progress on
research and development activities related to
expanded coverage for specialty crops that included
the Micro Farm policy, adding crops for
production and revenue history, and policy improvements
for almonds, blueberries, cane berries,
dry beans, grapes, pistachios, Florida avocado
and citrus APH crops, hybrid vegetable seed,
pecan trees, WFRP improvements, and the nursery
select program. This encompassing report
highlighted achievements and accomplishments
in addressing 2018 Farm Bill requirements, new
and ongoing research, studies, and initiatives
aimed at expansion efforts, and overall specialty
crop program improvements. In 2022, the
amount of insurance for specialty crops reached
almost $24 billion (Figure 14) reflecting grower's
increased use of crop insurance in response to
the overall program enhancements. The report
outlines future efforts for program expansion and
improvements noting potential policy changes
and nationwide stakeholder discussions with
apple growers and interested parties, development
of a potential aquaculture program-specifically
shellfish-researching the feasibility of a
program for controlled environment agriculture
such as greenhouses and highlighting the transition
and organic assistance program. The report
also highlights the collaborative efforts of both
the industry and RMA through the establishment
of the Perennial and Specialty Crop Workgroup
which focuses on improving specialty crop
insurance policies and coverage. And lastly the
report highlights an exhaustive list of outreach
efforts as the program works with growers and
Figure 14
FCIC Program Growth for Specialty Crops
22
26
10
12
14
16
18
4
6
8
0.00
2
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Fruits/Nuts/Trees
2014
Nursery
2015
2016
2017
Vegetables
2018
2019
AGR/WFRP
2020
2021
2022
20
24
their representatives to find new and effective
risk management tools to address new crops and
under-served areas.
Finally, one of RMA Administrator Marcia
Bunger's key initiatives during 2022 was entering
into new risk management education cooperative
agreements to help reach communities
that historically have lacked access to training
and resources. Together with the University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and the Building Resiliency
initiative with Alcorn State, Annie's Project,
the Intertribal Ag Council, and Rural Coalition,
these various cooperative agreements
will look to serve all regions of the country,
traditional as well as specialty, organic, and livestock
producers. Audiences will include Native
farmers, African American producers, Hispanic
growers, Veterans, Women, and Alaskan farmers,
and others to develop training and educaTable
7
Crop Year
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
U.S. Crop-Hail Results, All Perils
Liabiltiy
Mil. $
39,773
39,652
36,805
36,178
35,775
36,084
35,359
35,802
40,309
46,169
Premium
Mil. $
953.2
991.7
979.7
983.3
958.8
987.3
1,019.6
1,010.0
1,167.3
1,383.1
Data as of June 29, 2023
Source: Adjusted Verified Totals, US only, for NCIS member companies combined with the data from non-members.
Losses
Mil. $
646.2
1,209.9
740.3
880.1
882.0
937.4
996.5
1,154.4
924.2
1,142.0
Loss Ratio
0.68
1.22
0.76
0.90
0.92
0.95
0.98
1.14
0.79
0.83
tional tools to help farmers learn how to effectively
manage long-term risks and challenges.
U.S. Crop-Hail
Experience
Crop-Hail insurance policies insure direct
damage from hail as the primary cause of loss. In
addition to hail damage, many policy forms carry
endorsements for additional perils such wind,
fire, vandalism, and theft.
Crop-Hail premium held steady at roughly
$1.0 billion through 2020 and then rose by 15.6
percent in 2021 and a further 18.5 percent in
2022 to its current $1.383 billion. Crop-Hail provided
$46.2 billion in private insurance protection
to U.S. farmers in 2022, and losses paid out
were $1.142 billion (Table 7).
CROPINSURANCE TODAY®
29

Crop Insurance Today Second Quarter 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crop Insurance Today Second Quarter 2023