Spring is a busy time of year for Montana farmers, with field preparation, planting decisions and seeding. It is also a time to start thinking about protecting crops from hail damage until fall harvest. The Montana State Hail Insurance program has provided hail insurance coverage to help Montana farmers manage hail risk for 98 years.

For the 2015 season, producers can insure crops against hail damage at the maximum coverage rate of $75 per acre for dryland and $114 for irrigated land. Rates charged are a percentage of the insured amount and vary by county depending on the hail loss history of an area. A detailed list of rates by county and crop can be found on the program’s website.

Applicants can now conveniently manage policy payments securely with e-checks or credit/debit cards. Traditional payment methods are still available. To purchase state hail coverage, producers should contact the State Hail Insurance program office by mail, fax, or phone. State hail insurance coverage forms are still available at Montana State University Extension, Conservation District, and county revenue offices.

Source - http://www.ktvh.com/