Nationwide is introducing a new tool designed to help farmers get ahead of the increasing tide of extreme weather that continues to disrupt agricultural operations across the United States. The insurer has partnered with a third-party provider to launch a weather alert system for its farm policyholders, offering timely text notifications and prevention tips whenever damaging hail or high winds are in the forecast.
The goal is to give farmers an early warning so they can proactively protect property, equipment, and livestock.
Farmers who sign up for the program will receive alerts when sustained winds exceed 50 miles per hour, gusts reach more than 58 miles per hour, or hail greater than one inch is expected in their area. Each customer can register up to five addresses, making it possible to track conditions across multiple farms or facilities. Along with the alerts, Nationwide provides actionable steps to reduce risk, such as sheltering livestock and employees, moving machinery under cover, securing loose items, and closing doors and windows to minimize damage.
The program comes as data shows wind and hail are some of the costliest weather threats to agriculture. According to Nationwide claims records, these two hazards account for about 35 percent of farm-related damage each year. Repair costs have risen significantly, with the median cost to fix hail-damaged vehicles climbing from $3,454 in 2020 to nearly $5,000 in 2024. The percentage of farm vehicles deemed total losses from hail has also increased, from 12.6 percent in 2020 to 17 percent so far in 2025. States most affected by wind damage are Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Arkansas, and Nebraska.
“Farm structures like grain bins, machine sheds, and outbuildings, along with essential equipment such as tractors and combines, are increasingly vulnerable during severe weather events,” said Nick Andersen, vice president of Agribusiness Claims for Nationwide. “By integrating this text alert program into their risk management practices, we hope to help farmers better safeguard their operations, protect their employees and livestock, and potentially prevent damage.”
In addition to encouraging immediate action, Nationwide advises farmers to take longer-term steps to build resilience against future storms. Recommendations include investing in storm-rated roofing materials, conducting routine inspections of bins and outbuildings, reviewing insurance coverage, and documenting major assets with photos or videos for smoother claims processing.
Farm policyholders can sign up for the new alert program by contacting their Nationwide agent or visiting the company’s weather alert webpage.
