Choosing a farm
insurance broker
What to look for in a farm insurance broker, the questions worth asking before appointing one, and where broker experience can add value across a rural insurance program.


A dedicated transit cover option for livestock movements across Australia, available to rma network Members and their clients. It is designed to support vendors, buyers and livestock producers where Animals are moved between properties, saleyards and buyers.
Livestock movements sit at the point where responsibility can shift between vendor, buyer and carrier. An accident, a loading incident or a delivery that does not arrive can create a loss well before anyone has agreed who carries the risk. Livestock in Transit Insurance is arranged to respond to certain accidental losses during transport, and is arranged through NTI.
The NTI Marine Livestock Transit Insurance Policy uses plain-language wording and includes a range of commonly requested extra covers. For eligible transits it provides cover with a NIL excess, which can make the claims process clearer when Animals are injured or lost during transport. Cover is subject to the policy wording, limits and exclusions.
Livestock may be covered for accidental loss during transit, including:
Commercial stud livestock up to $20,000 per Animal
Death, physical injury or slaughter for humane reasons
Loss due to an uncontrollable (berserk) Animal
Theft, pilferage and non-delivery
Loading and unloading
Escape following an accident
Following a claim, cover may also be extended to include:
Extra covers, limits and sublimits are subject to the policy wording arranged.
Providing your Animals are in a good state of health and fit for transport, this insurance covers most types of Livestock up to a maximum limit any one conveyance of $250,000.
Higher-value breeding animals sold at auction or by private treaty may be better suited to Stud Stock Insurance, which can sit alongside transit cover.
The following are excluded from cover. Refer to the policy wording for full terms, conditions and exclusions.
Transit cover should be looked at whenever the Animals, the values or the movement arrangements change. Review triggers include:
Livestock movements rarely sit on their own. Depending on the business, these covers may also be worth reviewing alongside transit cover.
What to look for in a farm insurance broker, the questions worth asking before appointing one, and where broker experience can add value across a rural insurance program.
Agriculture insurance can extend beyond a standard farm package. A broker's guide to structuring cover across farm property, crop, livestock, transit, business interruption and other exposures.
A working checklist for Australian farms covering yard, shed, fuel, machinery and livestock security measures that may reduce the likelihood of theft and support clearer claim assessment if a loss occurs. Designed to be walked through paddock by paddock before the next season.
It is generally arranged for vendors, buyers, livestock producers and rma network Member businesses arranging or coordinating livestock movements across Australia.
Whether it is appropriate depends on who carries the risk during transit and the terms of the sale, so it is worth confirming this before the Animals are loaded.
Providing the Animals are in a good state of health and fit for transport, most types of Livestock can be considered, up to a maximum limit any one conveyance of $250,000.
Eligibility, limits and terms are set by the insurer and are subject to the policy wording.
Cover should be considered before the Animals are loaded, rather than after a movement has started. Where a sale, agistment or delivery arrangement changes who bears the risk in transit, it is worth confirming the position with RMA Insurance Brokers first.
Contact RMA Insurance Brokers to review how livestock movements are covered for your business or your clients, before the next load leaves.
RMA Insurance Brokers is an insurance broker, not an insurer. Information published here is general in nature and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Cover is subject to insurer terms, the policy wording, limits and exclusions, and to insurer acceptance. Review the relevant policy documentation before making a decision.
