Overview

Working for an insurance company, a crop insurance agent/specialist works with farmers to help manage risk and protect against the loss of crops from events like natural disasters or market changes. Crop insurance agents work mostly in an office setting but may be required to travel to the farmers that they serve in order to inspect crops, make insurance adjustments or participate in public relation events.

What responsibilities will I have?

• Input insurance policy and customer information into database systems
• Organize financial records and ensure they are accurate
• Provide clients with information on different policy and coverage options
• Recommend policies to clients based on their farm needs and budget
• Walk clients through the steps of how to make a claim (a request to your insurance company to pay for something that your policy covers)
• Estimate value of property (crop) damage and loss of income due to covered events such as a natural disaster or inclement weather
• Conduct presentations on your insurance offerings to farm groups and potential customers in rural areas
• Make sales calls to potential customers
• Gather acreage reports and production histories to create accurate crop insurance policies
• Communicate with customers clearly via written (email) or oral (phone calls, meetings etc.) methods
• Stay up to date on USDA and federal/legislative changes to insurance requirements through training or continuing education

What education and training is required?

A bachelor’s degree in agribusiness, marketing, or finance is required. An insurance license is also required and must be kept up to date with continuing education. Knowledge of production agriculture and region-specific commodities in the job location is preferred.

To pursue a career as an Crop Insurance Agent/Specialist:

The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, business, accounting, statistics and finance.

Where can I work?

Employers may include agricultural lending banks and agricultural insurance companies.

Future Job Market / Outlook

Good

Suggested Professional Organizations and Associations

• Crop Insurance Professionals Association
• American Association of Crop Insurers
• Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau
• Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America
• State and Local Agriculture Associations