If you’ve farmed in Illinois long enough, you know the weather isn’t just unpredictable — it’s often unforgiving. From spring thunderstorms to late-summer droughts, the conditions that define the Midwest can change overnight. For farmers in Geneseo, Prophetstown, and across the state, weather is more than a daily concern; it’s the single biggest factor that can make or break a season.
That’s why having the right farm insurance isn’t optional — it’s essential. At Hanford Insurance, we understand how Illinois weather shapes farming risks, and we design policies to protect your land, equipment, and livelihood against nature’s curveballs.
Illinois sits in the heart of America’s “farm belt,” and while the soil is some of the most fertile in the world, the climate brings constant challenges:
Thunderstorms and Hail: A ten-minute hailstorm can flatten corn and soybean fields, shred siding on barns, and leave expensive equipment dented beyond use.
Flooding: Heavy rains in spring often wash out fields and drown early plantings. River flooding can wipe out entire lowland acres.
Drought: When summer rain doesn’t come, yields suffer. Without irrigation, farmers face reduced income and limited options for recovery.
Tornadoes and High Winds: Illinois averages more than 50 tornadoes per year. Even smaller windstorms can destroy barns and topple silos.
Extreme Cold and Snow: Winters bring frozen pipes, stressed livestock, and added wear on machinery.
Each of these weather events can cause tens of thousands of dollars in losses — often overnight. Insurance provides the financial protection needed to rebuild, replace, and keep operations going.
Farm insurance policies can be customized to address Illinois-specific weather risks. Key coverages include:
Crop Insurance: Protects against loss from hail, flooding, drought, or other covered perils.
Property Coverage: Ensures barns, silos, fencing, and sheds are repaired or rebuilt after storms or fire.
Equipment Insurance: Safeguards tractors, combines, irrigation pumps, and other costly machinery.
Livestock Coverage: Offers protection if animals are lost due to severe weather, accidents, or disease.
Business Interruption Coverage: Provides income replacement if weather damage halts production.
With these protections in place, you don’t have to worry that one bad storm will undo years of work and investment.
National insurance companies may offer broad farm policies, but only a local independent agency like Hanford Insurance understands how Illinois weather patterns actually affect farms here.
We know which areas are prone to flooding.
We understand how hail impacts corn and soybeans at different stages.
We’ve seen firsthand how high winds damage equipment and outbuildings.
That local perspective means we don’t sell “one-size-fits-all” coverage. Instead, we build policies tailored to the real-world risks Illinois farmers face.
Document Your Assets: Keep an updated inventory with photos of equipment, barns, and livestock.
Review Your Policy Annually: Farms change — make sure your coverage keeps pace.
Ask About Hail and Crop Add-Ons: Not all policies automatically include them.
Maintain Drainage and Fencing: Proactive maintenance reduces losses and may lower premiums.
Bundle Coverage Where Possible: Combining home, auto, and farm insurance can create cost savings.
Farming in Illinois means living at the mercy of unpredictable weather. But with the right insurance in place, you can focus on your operation knowing you’re financially protected from whatever the skies bring.
At Hanford Insurance, we’ve been helping farmers in Geneseo, Prophetstown, and beyond protect their livelihoods for over a century. Our independent agents work with multiple carriers to find the best coverage — at a price that makes sense.