This blog post explains Nationwide’s new weather alert program designed to help farmers reduce losses from hail and wind.
I’ll summarize how the program works, why wind and hail are significant risks for agricultural operations, and offer practical preparedness and documentation tips based on three decades of experience in farm risk management.
What the Nationwide Weather Alert Program Offers
The program sends text alerts and prevention tips to enrolled farm policyholders through a third-party service whenever severe weather is forecast.
Notifications are intended to give farms timely, actionable warnings so they can secure equipment, shelter vehicles, and protect livestock and employees.
Enrollment, Notification Criteria, and Limits
Farmers who enroll can register up to five addresses to receive weather alerts.
Alerts trigger when forecasts predict:
These thresholds focus on conditions that commonly produce property and crop damage.
This gives producers a window to take preventive action.
Why Wind and Hail Matter to Farmers
Wind and hail are among the most frequent and costly perils affecting agricultural operations.
Nationwide’s data indicate that these two hazards account for about 35% of all farm-related damage annually.
The economic impact has been rising, particularly for vehicles and structures exposed during storms.
Regional Hotspots and Rising Costs
Wind damage reports are concentrated in states such as Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
The cost of repairing hail-damaged vehicles has jumped from a median of $3,454 in 2020 to $4,960 in 2024.
Total losses from hail rose from 12.6% to 17% by 2025.
These figures highlight both an increase in event severity and the rising cost of repairs and parts.
Practical Steps Farmers Can Take Now
Combining short-term actions when a warning arrives with long-term investments will reduce damage and speed recovery.
Immediate Actions When an Alert Arrives
Long-Term Resilience and Claims Preparedness
Nationwide recommends investing in storm-rated materials, conducting routine roof and equipment inspections, and reviewing insurance coverage for adequacy.
Documenting Assets to Ease Claims
Proper documentation is essential after a storm.
I advise keeping up-to-date photos and video records of equipment, vehicles, structures, and key production areas.
Store copies off-site or in cloud storage so records remain accessible even if onsite systems are damaged.
This reduces friction in the claims process and helps establish pre-storm condition and value.
Keep in mind that the alert service is offered as a courtesy and is subject to change.
Use alerts as a timely prompt to enact your preparedness plan.
Here is the source article for this story: Nationwide Launches Weather Alert Program to Help Farmers Protect Against Hail and Wind Damage