Protecting the Future of THE New Zealand Wheat Industry
Wheat Insurance & Disaster Relief Scheme
A unique scheme run by wheat growers for wheat growers. Funded entirely through the compulsory wheat grain levy, this scheme exists to ensure you have a financial safety net when severe weather strikes.
Coverage Type
Hail, Frost, Flooding, Snow, Fire, and specific physical/transit (including re-sowing) losses
Payout Rate
Fixed at $250 per tonne — No excess and no minimum loss threshold
Coverage Window
Insured from 1 November of any growing season (Frost coverage begins 15 November) *Except when re-sowing your crop.
Levy Rate (Funding)
$3.80/t + GST (Collection period: 01 February 2026 – 31 January 2027)
Who is covered by this?
You are eligible for scheme protection if you:
- Pay the compulsory UWG levy on wheat grain sold in New Zealand.
- Suffer crop damage from defined events such as hail, flooding (beyond normal water courses), snow, fire or frost.
- Experience physical grain loss while in storage, during transit, or via fire/aircraft/wandering stock. Storage conditions must have met acceptable NZ Wheat Industry standards.
- Need to cover re-sowing costs (including seed, drilling costs and pesticides) for crops damaged early in the season.
- Note: Acts of terrorism or destruction by opponents of genetic engineering are strictly excluded.
The 3-Step Claim Path
United Wheatgrowers purchases and arranges the disaster relief scheme on your behalf, but the policy is underwritten and managed directly by FMG.
Crucial: Do not harvest a damaged crop before notifying FMG.
{ Step 1 }
Contact the FMG Claim Line
The efficient and preferred way to lodge a claim is to email uwgclaims@fmg.co.nz with your client name, phone number, crop address, and hectares affected (or call 0800 366 466). FMG will instantly log the event and issue your official Claim Lodgement Acknowledgement.
{ Step 2 }
Complete the Acknowledgement Checklist
{ Step 3 }
Assessment and Final Settlement
FMG will appoint an assessor—typically a local UWG Electoral Committee member or Director who understands your region's specific conditions. Do not harvest before this physical inspection. Once damage is finalised against actual delivered tonnages at the end of the season, your settlement is paid to provide financial security for your operation.
To progress your claim efficiently, you must submit your formal claim form within 14 days of the weather event and provide:
- Cause of Loss: A description of the weather event or circumstances.
- Paddock Identification: Clear location details, paddock numbers, and estimated impacted area marked on your farm plan. Note: Only physical damage directly caused by the insured event (such as hail, frost, or flooding) can be assessed. Deterioration from disease or conditions not directly caused by the event are outside the scope of cover.
Get in touch
Claims & Levy Support Made Simple
We are committed to providing clear guidance and practical solutions during complex weather situations. Reach out to get your claim underway.
Contact us
Faqs
Frequently asked questions
How is the compulsory levy collected?
The levy is automatically collected from growers at the first point of sale by collection agents (processors, wholesalers, or retailers). If you sell grain to anyone other than a collection agent, you must pay the levy directly to UWG on a two-monthly basis via the Levy Return Form.
Can I harvest a damaged crop before making a claim?
No. In order to qualify for the disaster relief settlement, no harvest of a damaged crop shall take place before FMG is formally notified and an assessment is completed.
How does coverage work for early damaged crops?
There is an extension for re-sowing early damaged crops. The scheme covers either the cost of re-sowing the wheat crop (or an agreed alternative with FMG), or the Input cost of the applied to the abandoned crop.
How is the levy money used and audited?
100% of the levy is spent solely on disaster relief insurance and the administration costs of the scheme.
To ensure fairness and complete accuracy across the board, our official Commodity Levy Order authorises United Wheatgrowers to conduct random, independent audits of collecting agents.
