Farm Insurance Australia :: News

Share this news item!

Enhanced Reinsurance Builds Tower's Resilience

The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.

Tower has strategically expanded its catastrophe reinsurance coverage, boosting capacity for the forthcoming financial year to enhance growth prospects and mitigate the impacts of large-scale events.

Chief Financial Officer Paul Johnston highlighted the companyâ€™s success in reinforcing ties with global reinsurance partners, including securing several multi-year agreements. "These agreements bring us a significant degree of long-term stability in terms of reinsurance costs and catastrophe excesses," Johnston remarked today.

Commending the achievement, Johnston added, "We are delighted to have established a robust reinsurance framework characterized by consistent excesses and stable pricing."

The company has elevated the upper threshold for catastrophe cover to NZ$800 million (US$733 million) from the previous NZ$750 million (US$687 million). Additionally, Tower augmented its coverage for a third event to NZ$85 million (US$78 million) from NZ$75 million (US$69 million).

Excesses for the initial two events have risen to NZ$18.75 million (US$17.2 million) from NZ$16.9 million (US$15.5 million), while the excess for a third event remains steady at NZ$20 million (US$18 million).

Tower projects that its reinsurance costs will constitute 11.7% of its total income, a reduction from last year's 13.9%, exemplifying efficient cost management.

Following an earnings guidance upgrade announced last month, the company looks forward to reporting its annual financial results in November.

Published:Tuesday, 24th Sep 2024
Author: Paige Estritori

Please Note: We do not endorse any specific products or companies. Some content is sourced from third parties, including press releases, and may not be independently verified for accuracy or completeness.

Share this news item:

Rate this article

0 Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.

Insurance News

Dry Conditions Put Feed, Livestock and Insurance Planning Back in Focus

25 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent rural reporting has again highlighted the strain dry seasonal conditions can place on livestock producers, particularly where pasture growth is limited, supplementary feed is expensive and water security is becoming a daily management issue. For many Australian farm businesses, the immediate concern is practical: keeping stock in condition, deciding whether to buy feed, move animals, agist, or sell earlier than planned. - read more

Frost alerts are a reminder to review crop risk now

18 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent rural reporting has again pointed to frost as a live concern for grain and mixed farming regions after a season that, in many districts, began with improved moisture and renewed confidence. For growers, the message is familiar but important: a good start does not guarantee a clean finish. Frost can arrive quickly, affect paddocks unevenly and turn strong yield expectations into a much more complicated financial picture. - read more

Fruit Fly Pressure Shows Biosecurity Is a Whole-Farm Insurance Issue

11 Aug 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent rural reporting on Queensland fruit fly pressure in horticultural regions is a timely reminder that biosecurity is not only a production issue. For orchardists, vegetable growers and mixed farms with small horticulture enterprises, a pest detection can affect far more than the crop in the paddock. It can influence picking schedules, packing arrangements, transport routes, labour planning, market access and cash flow. - read more

Rain Boosts the Season, but Risk Planning Still Matters

31 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Recent rural reporting has pointed to a more encouraging winter moisture profile across parts of the eastern and southern farming regions, with many growers seeing improved crop prospects after a difficult start in some districts. For farm businesses, that is welcome news. Better soil moisture can support establishment, pasture growth and yield potential, but it does not remove the need for disciplined risk planning. - read more

Grain Price Rally Puts Seasonal Risk Back in Focus

24 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

Grain Central reported on 23 July 2026 that Australian grain prices have continued to firm, supported by global wheat market heat and local uncertainty about new-crop production. For growers, the story is not simply about better prices. It is also a reminder that a promising crop can still carry significant risk when weather, timing and market volatility start moving together. - read more

Second NSW H5 Bird Flu Detection Puts Biosecurity Back on the Farm Risk Agenda

17 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

A second H5 bird flu detection in New South Wales has moved avian disease risk from a distant global concern to a practical on-farm planning issue for Australian producers. The latest case involved a petrel found at Hawks Nest on the NSW Mid North Coast, following an earlier detection at the same beach. Authorities have indicated the human health risk remains low, and there has been no reported H5 detection in NSW commercial poultry flocks at this stage. - read more

What SowSure Could Mean for Crop Risk Planning

10 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

On 3 July 2026, Grain Central reported that RAGT Australiaâ€™s SowSure crop establishment protection initiative had received $982,049 through the Australian Governmentâ€™s Future Drought Fund. For grain growers, the news is notable because it places insurance-style thinking closer to the sowing decision, rather than waiting until later-season losses become obvious. - read more

What a Major Quad Bike Fine Means for Farm Risk

03 Jul 2026: Paige Estritori

A recent quad bike fatality case in New South Wales has put farm safety, workplace liability and risk management back under close attention. ABC Rural reported on 2 July 2026 that Wumbulgal Agriculture Pty Ltd was fined $555,000 after an 82-year-old worker died in a quad bike accident at Yenda in the Riverina in February 2023. The company was found to have breached work health and safety obligations. - read more

New Herbicide Restrictions Raise On-Farm Risk Questions

26 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

Australian farmers now have clearer, but tighter, rules for two widely used knockdown herbicides after the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority finalised its review of paraquat and diquat on 23 June 2026. The chemicals have not been removed from the market, but their continued use will sit behind significant new conditions affecting application rates, equipment, handling systems and worker protection. - read more

Mackay Sugar Cyber Incident Highlights a New Risk for Farm Businesses

19 Jun 2026: Paige Estritori

A reported ransomware incident affecting Mackay Sugar has put agricultural cyber risk back in the spotlight, this time with a clear lesson for producers who depend on processors, contractors and shared infrastructure. ABC Rural reported on 18 June 2026 that a Russian-speaking ransomware operation known as The Gentlemen had claimed responsibility for a cyber attack that disrupted two Mackay Sugar mills, with the company working to verify the claim and restart Farleigh and Racecourse mills in stages. - read more

Click for more Insurance News

Farm Insurance Articles

Tailoring Farm Insurance for Tractors, Livestock, Crops and Farm Assets

Farm insurance is usually made up of several cover types that can be adjusted to suit the way a farm operates. This guide explains how Australian farmers can think about cover for tractors and equipment, livestock, crops, buildings, liability and business interruption risks without relying on a one-size-fits-all policy. - read more

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Insuring Your Farm Equipment

Farm equipment is central to day-to-day agricultural operations, and damage, theft or breakdown can create serious disruption. Understanding common insurance pitfalls can help Australian farmers review their cover more carefully and ask better questions before choosing or renewing a policy. - read more

Farm Equipment Insurance Checklist for Australian Farmers

Farm machinery is central to many Australian farming operations, from tractors and harvesters to pumps, trailers, drones and robotic systems. This checklist explains how to assess farm equipment insurance needs, identify key risks and review policy details without overlooking important machinery, records or exclusions. - read more

Investing in Your Farms Legacy: Estate Planning and Farm Insurance Combined

Farming is much more than an occupation; it's a way of life and a heritage that often spans generations. In today's ever-evolving agricultural landscape, embracing modern practices while preserving your farm's future has never been more crucial. Estate planning emerges as a pivotal strategy for safeguarding your agricultural legacy, ensuring that your hard-earned investments and the land you hold dear are passed on according to your wishes. - read more

Commercial Farm Insurance in Australia: How Cover Works for Farm Businesses

Commercial farm insurance can help Australian farm businesses manage risks across property, machinery, livestock, crops, liability, staff, contractors and business interruption. This guide explains how commercial farm cover works and how it differs from hobby farm insurance. - read more

Farm Liability Insurance Costs vs Benefits: Is It Worth It?

Farm liability insurance helps protect farming operations from the financial impact of legal claims, bodily injury allegations, property damage claims and other liabilities connected with farm activities. Its value depends on your farm's size, activities, risk profile, cover limits and the potential cost of an uninsured claim. - read more

5 Essential Farm Insurance Policies Australian Farmers Should Understand

Farming in Australia involves a wide mix of assets, income streams and risks, from crops and livestock to machinery, buildings, visitors and weather events. Understanding the main types of farm insurance can help farmers review how different policies may protect an agricultural operation. - read more

What Affects Farm Insurance Costs in Australia?

Farm insurance costs in Australia can vary because every farm has a different mix of assets, activities, risks and cover requirements. This guide explains the main factors that may influence farm insurance quotes and practical ways to review premiums without creating unnecessary coverage gaps. - read more

Crop Insurance in Australia: How to Choose Cover and Protect Your Harvest

Crop insurance can help Australian farmers manage the financial impact of crop losses caused by events such as adverse weather, pests, disease and other insured risks. The right policy depends on the crops grown, regional exposures, farm records, policy limits, exclusions, premiums and the claims process. - read more

Building Resilience Against Natural Disasters: Practical Steps for Aussie Farmers

Australian farmers face an array of natural disasters that can threaten livelihoods and disrupt the delicate balance of agricultural ecosystems. From devastating bushfires and droughts to powerful storms and floods, these catastrophic events pose serious risks to the farming community. Understanding and preparing for these forces is not just about survival; it's about building a sustainable future for farms across the continent. - read more

Need a Quote?

Start your free farm insurance quote comparison here.

Knowledgebase

Subrogation:
The process by which an insurance company seeks to recover the amount paid to the policyholder from a third party responsible for the loss.