Livestock
Cover for animals on the farm and on the move
Livestock is working capital that breathes — and a standard farm property policy treats animals very differently from buildings. Total Risk Managers looks at livestock risks for licensed brokers across Canada, including animals in transit.
On farm and in transit
Cover can follow the animals, including while transported
Herds and individuals
From whole herds to named high-value animals
Broker only
Submissions reach us through a licensed broker
Appetite
What we look at
These are the livestock classes to send us:
- Cattle
- Equine
- Swine
- Poultry
- Exotics
- Mink
- Canine
- Alpacas
- Llamas
- Zoo
- Sheep
- Goats
- Bison
- 4-H (Beef, Dairy, Equine, Canine)
A risk not listed here is not a decline. Send the details and we will tell you.
How the cover works
What livestock cover addresses
These coverages can be arranged depending on the animals, the farm and the policy issued — they are available, not automatic.
Mortality basis
Livestock cover is typically written around the death of the animal from insured causes, which is a different shape from property insurance.
Named animals versus the herd
A high-value animal can be scheduled individually; a herd can be covered on aggregate values.
Transit
Animals are at particular risk while loaded, moved and unloaded, and transit can be addressed specifically.
Husbandry
How animals are housed, fed and cared for sits at the centre of the underwriting.
Valuation
Market value, breeding value and replacement cost are different numbers; which one applies is settled at placement.
Before you send
What to include in a livestock submission
A submission that answers these upfront moves faster.
The animals
Species, counts, ages, and values, with any individually significant animals named.
The purpose
Breeding, dairy, market or working, since it drives both value and risk.
The care
Housing, feed, veterinary arrangements, and biosecurity practice.
The movement
How often animals travel, how far, and in whose vehicles.
History
Losses in the last five years, what happened, and what changed afterwards.
Common questions
Questions brokers ask about livestock
Is livestock not covered under the farm policy?
Farm policies vary widely on animals and often carry low limits or narrow perils; scheduled livestock cover exists because of that gap.
How are high-value animals handled?
Individually, with their own values and often veterinary evidence at placement.
Are animals covered while being transported?
Transit is a normal part of this class; describe the movements in the submission.
What does an underwriter look for in husbandry?
Housing, feed, vet care and biosecurity — the things that determine whether losses are likely before any peril arrives.
Can a broker place this directly?
Submissions are accepted from licensed insurance brokers. If you are a broker, send the details and we will come back to you. If you are not, please speak to your broker.
Have a livestock risk to place?
Email the details to submissions@totalriskmanagers.com and we will come back to you. Submissions are accepted from licensed insurance brokers.
This page describes coverage in general terms. Cover, limits and conditions vary by policy and by risk. Nothing here changes or replaces the wording of an issued policy. Coverage is arranged through a licensed insurance broker. If you are a broker, contact us. If you are not, please speak to your broker.