When strong winds damage your corn, you may feel pressure to get into the field and start harvesting right away. But when you have wind-damaged corn, crop insurance requirements matter. Before you harvest damaged acres, contact your crop insurance agent and report the damage. Taking that step can help protect your claim and give your insurance provider the opportunity to inspect the crop. USDA Risk Management Agency guidance requires policyholders to report damage within 72 hours of discovering it.
Call Your Crop Insurance Agent First
If wind damages your corn, contact your crop insurance agent promptly. Don’t assume you should harvest first and work through the insurance details later.
Your agent can help you report the loss and explain what you need to do next. Your insurance provider may send a loss adjuster to inspect the damaged crop and gather information about the loss.
Calling first allows you to understand the claims process before you make decisions that could affect the damaged acres.
Why Harvesting Too Soon Can Create Problems
Your insurance provider needs an opportunity to evaluate the crop and determine the extent of the damage or potential production before harvest. USDA RMA specifically identifies inspection before harvest or disposal as part of the claims process.
Once you harvest damaged acres, you may change or remove some of the evidence an adjuster could use to evaluate the loss.
Even when harvest timing feels urgent, make the call first.
Document the Damage
Good documentation can also help support your claim. Take clear photos or videos of the damaged corn and keep records of what happened.
Document information such as:
- When you discovered the damage
- Which fields or acres sustained damage
- What type of damage you observed
- Photos or videos of the affected crop
- Communication with your crop insurance agent or adjuster
The policyholder carries responsibility for establishing the time, location, cause and amount of a loss, making good recordkeeping especially important.
Don’t Let Harvest Pressure Cost You
When corn goes down, timing matters. Additional weather, stalk deterioration and harvest conditions may add pressure to get into the field quickly.
However, taking the time to report the damage first can help you avoid problems during the claims process.
Report the damage. Document the field. Follow your crop insurance provider’s instructions. Then move forward with harvest.
Wind-Damaged Corn? Call Us First.
If wind has damaged your corn, don’t guess about what to do next. Contact your WA Group crop insurance team before harvesting the affected acres. We can help you report the damage and understand the next steps in the claims process.
When in doubt, call before you combine.