Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Coverage of PMFBY crop insurance scheme

Following stages of the crop and risks leading to crop loss are covered under the scheme:

Basic Product: The scheme covers the risk of: Standing Crop (Sowing to Harvesting): Comprehensive risk insurance is provided to cover yield losses on area approach basis due to non-preventable risks, viz. Drought, Dry spells, Flood, Inundation, wide spread Pests and Diseases attack, Landslides, Fire due to natural causes, lightening, Storm, Hailstorm, and Cyclone.

Add-On Coverage: Apart from the mandatory basic product, the states Govts./UTs ,in consultation with SLCCCI may choose any or all of the following add-on covers based on need of specific crop/area in their State to cover following stages of the crop and risks leading to crop loss:

• Prevented Sowing/ Planting Risk: If more than 75% of a notified crop area in an insurance unit remains unsown, or there is germination failure during sowing period due to adverse weather conditions such as deficit rainfall or adverse seasonal conditions, then the farmers are eligible for preventing sowing failure risk. The lump sum payout to insured farmers under this cover would be 25% of the sum insured and the insurance cover will be terminated.

• Mid-Season Adversity: Loss in case of adverse seasonal conditions during the crop season viz. floods, prolonged dry spells and severe drought etc., wherein expected yield during the season is likely to be less than 50% of Normal Yield. The pay-out to insured farmers under this cover would be 25% of the likely claims, subject to adjustment against final claims.

• Post-Harvest Losses: Coverage is available only up to a maximum period of two weeks (14 Days) from harvesting, for those crops which are required to be dried in cut and spread / small bundled condition in the field after harvesting, against specific perils of hailstorm, cyclone, cyclonic rains and unseasonal rains. Assessment of damage will be made on individual farm basis.

• Localized Calamities: Loss/damage to notified insured crops resulting from occurrence of identified localized risks of hailstorm, landslide, inundation, cloud burst and natural fire due to lightening affecting isolated farms in the notified area.

Exclusions of the PMFBY scheme

While the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana does provide farmers comprehensive coverage against crop damage and losses, it does have some standard exclusions. As such, this crop insurance scheme excludes losses arising due to:

• War and nuclear risks.
• Malicious damages.
• Other preventable risks.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana Claim Process

It is essential for farmers/designated agencies to provide intimation in case of crop failure or post-harvest losses due to localized calamites as each claim will be assessed on an individual insured farm level. Further, farmer must provide intimation of the loss within 72 hours directly to us on our dedicated toll-free number for crop related queries:1800-103-5490. Intimation can also be made to the insurance company, concerned bank, local agriculture department Govt./district officials or on National Crop Insurance Portal.

Time frame for loss assessment and submission of report:

• Appointment of loss assessor within 48 hours from receipt of information.
• Loss assessment to be completed within next 10 days.
• Claim settlement/payment to the farmers to be completed in next 15 days (subject to receipt of premium) from loss assessment report.