Norwest NSW
Hobby Farm Insurance
A few acres, a couple of horses, some chooks, a ride-on mower and a shed full of gear. A hobby farm is a way of life, but it isn't quite a home and it isn't quite a commercial farm, and insurers know it.
That's where people get caught. A standard home policy often stops at the house and the back fence. A full farm policy can be more than you need. Hobby farm insurance sits in between and is built for small rural properties, so the things that make your place different are actually covered.
Looking for a local broker? Talk to insurance brokers in Norwest about hobby farm cover.
Who it suits
Cover for hobby farms and lifestyle blocks
Horses, alpacas, cattle, sheep, goats or poultry
Occasional produce, eggs or hay sales
Sheds, tractors, quad bikes and farm gear
What it can cover
- The house and buildings. Your home, plus sheds, barns, stables, workshops, carports and fixed structures.
- Contents. Furniture and belongings inside the house, and gear stored in the sheds.
- Farm machinery and equipment. Tractors, ride-on mowers, slashers, trailers, implements and hand tools.
- Fences, gates and yards. Often with limits, so it's worth checking them.
- Water tanks, pumps, irrigation and solar, depending on the policy.
- Livestock and animals. Death from accident, illness, fire or theft, usually as an extension, with limits per animal.
- Public liability. If a visitor, contractor or neighbour is injured or has their property damaged because of your farm.
- Farm vehicles. Quad bikes, side-by-sides and farm utes, which standard policies often exclude or treat differently.
What to check
- How the insurer defines a hobby farm. Size, income and what you do with the land all matter. Selling produce or hay can change the category.
- Bushfire, storm and flood. Check what's included and whether there are waiting periods in higher-risk areas.
- Fences and outdoor items. These are often capped or excluded.
- Animals. Mortality cover isn't automatic and usually has age and value limits.
- Helpers and volunteers. If anyone works on the property for pay, you may need workers' compensation. Ask us if you're unsure.
- Sum insured. Work it out on rebuild cost, not what you paid for the place.
Case study
An example
A couple on a five-acre block in the Hills District keep two horses and a ride-on tractor. A storm brings down a large tree. It crushes part of the stable, damages the fence and lets the horses out onto the road, where one is hit by a car and a driver is injured. Their policy can respond to the stable and fence repair, and public liability can respond to the driver's claim. If the horse is covered under an animal extension, that can be claimed too. If any of it was left off the policy, it falls to them.
Illustrative example only. Cover depends on your policy wording.
Contact us
To put a quote together, we'll ask about:
We're based at Suite 2.02, 2-8 Brookhollow Ave, Norwest NSW. Call 02 8660 2305 or email admin@idealbrokers.com.au.
Based in Norwest — see our insurance brokers in Norwest hub for other local covers.
Ideal Insurance Brokers, Norwest NSW 2153. Ideal Brokers Pty Ltd (CAR No. 001262504 | ABN 65 623 205 952) is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Metrix Connect Pty Ltd ACN 635 286 136 as the trustee for the Metrix Connect Hybrid Trust ABN 55 742 327 931 | AFSL No. 525491. This page contains general information only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Read the Product Disclosure Statement before buying.
Hobby farm insurance FAQs
Not usually. Home policies typically cover the house and contents, and often exclude sheds, machinery, livestock and farm activities. Send us your current policy and we'll check.
No. Insurers treat them differently. If you earn income from the land, tell us so we can place you in the right category.
Only if animal cover is included. Look at our Animal Mortality page for more.
Small sales are common, but they can affect your cover, including product liability. Tell us what you sell and where.
Often, but areas with higher bushfire risk can have different terms. We'll tell you plainly what's in.
Yes, but it may need to be listed. Many policies treat them separately from the farm.
Public liability is the cover for that. Make sure it's included and the limit suits you.