UNDERSTANDING CROP INSURANCE PRINCIPLES: A PRIMER FOR FARM LEADERS

Federal policy-makers increasingly emphasize the Federal Crop Insurance Program as the primary federal risk management program for farmers. Farm leaders need to understand the underlying mechanics of insurance products if they are to effectively argue their interests and contribute constructively to future agricultural policy dialogue. Further they need to understand the unique circumstances created by the fact that the Federal Crop Insurance program functions as a public-private partnership between the U.S. government and private insurance companies. This manuscript describes both the fundamental features of insurance products and the political economy of the federal crop insurance program.