Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company: America's Crop Insurer

Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company (FMH) is one of the largest crop insurance providers in the United States. Headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, they have been serving America’s farmers since 1893.

In this article, we’ll provide an overview of Farmers Mutual Hail, including their history, leadership, financial strength, products, services, reviews, complaints, and more.

History and Overview

Some key facts about Farmers Mutual Hail:

Founded in 1893 in Iowa
Policyholders own the company
Only crop insurer headquartered in the U.S.
A+ (“Superior”) rating from A.M. Best
Over 3,400 employees nationwide
Insures over $7 billion in liabilities
Writes policies in 48 states
Member of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB)

FMH started as a hail insurance provider for Midwest farmers. They have expanded to offer comprehensive risk management and crop insurance solutions across the country. FMH is owned by their policyholders and specializes in serving American agriculture.

Leadership and Financial Strength

FMH is led by President and CEO James Erwin. Their management team includes other experienced insurance professionals overseeing areas like underwriting, claims, operations, and more.

The company has maintained excellent financial strength ratings for over 60 years. They currently hold an A+ (“Superior”) rating from A.M. Best Company. This indicates FMH has the resources and stability to pay out policyholder claims.

Crop Insurance Products

As America’s crop insurer, FMH offers a wide range of insurance policies to protect farmers:

Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) – Covers yield loss from natural causes like drought, freeze, hail, wind, and more. Available plans include individual, area, and whole farm.
Hail Insurance – Protects against crop damage and yield loss specifically from hail.
Named Peril – Policies for damage from individual causes like wind, freeze, flood,fire, and more.
Revenue Protection – Covers loss of revenue when yields or commodity prices decline.
Margin Protection – Indemnifies farmers when crop margins fall below guaranteed levels.
Livestock Products – Insures against loss of livestock revenue from declining prices or death losses.
Apiculture Products – Policies tailored specifically for beekeepers.

In addition to federally-reinsured policies, FMH offers private crop insurance and reinsurance products. They also partner with Ag Brokerage Solutions to provide comprehensive farm insurance packages.

Crop Insurance Services

FMH aims to provide an easy, seamless crop insurance experience for both agents and farmers. They offer services like:

Online policy management – Tools to quote, rate, bind and manage policies digitally.
Risk management education – Help for agents and farmers to understand policy options and make informed insurance decisions.
Prompt claims assistance – Claims adjusters available to assist throughout the claims process.
Loss mitigation – Work with farmers pre-season to identify risks and implement loss prevention.
Precision agriculture – Incorporate precision farming data into policies to better match premiums with risks.
Superior indemnities – Focus on paying all legitimate claims quickly and fairly.

Reputation, Reviews and Complaints

FMH maintains a strong reputation built over their 130+ years as a leading crop insurer. They have an A+ rating and positive reviews with the Better Business Bureau, with compliments praising their customer service.

Some reviews of FMH from policyholders:

“Have been with FMH for over 10 years and they have provided excellent service during claims. My agent has always been easy to work with.”

“FMH walked me through every step of filing my claim after hail damage. They responded quickly and I received my settlement faster than expected.”

“The folks at Farmers Mutual Hail know their stuff when it comes to crop insurance. Their prices are fair and I’ve had good experiences with claims.”

FMH has maintained their BBB accreditation since 1993. The BBB has processed only a handful of complaints against FMH in the last several years for issues like claims delays or denials. FMH responded to all complaints and worked to resolve the issues.

Pros of Choosing Farmers Mutual Hail

There are many good reasons for farmers to consider insuring through Farmers Mutual Hail:

Financial stability – Rated A+ by A.M. Best since 1957. Long history of paying claims.
Competitive pricing – As a policyholder-owned company, FMH offers optimal rates.
Superior crop insurance knowledge – Specialize solely in crop insurance for 130+ years.
Top-notch customer service – Very responsive claims service and helpful agent support.
Policyholder dividends – Eligible policyholders can get a portion of underwriting gains returned as dividends.
Modern technology – User-friendly online portal and mobile apps help manage policies.

For farmers seeking reliable, affordable crop insurance policies, Farmers Mutual Hail is a top choice to consider. Their excellent financial strength, customer service, industry expertise and long history make them a leader in crop insurance.

Working for Farmers Mutual Hail

In addition to being a leading crop insurer, FMH is also a major employer in the insurance and agriculture industries. They hire over 3,400 employees across the country.

Some key benefits of working for Farmers Mutual Hail include:

Competitive pay and benefits packages
Excellent work-life balance
Training programs for growth and development
Merit-based bonus opportunities
Employee appreciation events and awards
Friendly, supportive company culture
Meaningful work serving American agriculture
Advancement potential within the company

FMH frequently has open positions in areas like claims, underwriting, accounting, IT, marketing, human resources, and more. Both entry-level and experienced candidates can find excellent career opportunities with Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Company.

The Bottom Line on FMH

With over 130 years specializing in crop insurance, it’s hard to beat the expertise and service Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance provides agriculture. Their financial strength, coverage options, risk management tools and stellar reputation make them a top choice for farmers seeking protection.

For tailored crop insurance policies that fit your farm’s specific needs, we recommend connecting with a local FMH-affiliated agent in your state. An independent agent can provide quotes, analyze risks on your acres, and help construct an optimal insurance plan using FMH’s products.