Mushroom Farm Insurance Policy Information

Mushroom Farm Insurance. The popularity of mushroom farms over the years has given rise to many people growing them at both the 'home-based scale and those who are doing it at an industrial scale. However, regardless of how many mushrooms are farmed, they still need to be insured.
In the past, insurance carriers were not familiar with the crop or the industry, for that matter. Once the industry took hold, insurers had to take a closer look at the business and recognized that mushroom cultivation isn't any more or less risky than growing fruit or vegetables. The result was that many insurance companies now offer farmers' liability insurance to those growing mushrooms both at home and on a conventional farm.
Today, a growing number of carriers offer mushroom farm insurance. It is a testimony to all the hard work done by growers, their representatives, and lobbyists in various parts of the industry.
If you are a mushroom farmer, not having insurance means that you are operating on thin ice. An insurance policy offers adequate protection especially if you are growing mushrooms commercially. The policies are designed to protect you, i.e., the business owner and your assets, i.e., the mushrooms and your business investment from natural disasters to lawsuits.
Mushroom farm insurance protects mushroom growers and farmers from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.
Below are some answers to commonly asked mushroom farming insurance questions:
- What Is Mushroom Farm Insurance?
- How Much Does Mushroom Farm Insurance Cost?
- Why Do Mushroom Farms Need Insurance?
- What Type Of Insurance Do Mushroom Farmers Need?
- What Are The Most Popular Commercially Cultivated Edible Mushroom Species?
- What Does Mushroom Farm Insurance Cover & Pay For?
What Is Mushroom Farm Insurance?
Mushroom farm insurance is a type of insurance coverage designed specifically for businesses engaged in the cultivation, production, and sale of mushrooms. This type of insurance provides coverage for various risks and hazards associated with the operation of a mushroom farm, such as property damage, liability for injury to employees or customers, damage or destruction of crops, and loss of income due to crop failures or contamination.
The coverage can also include protection against natural disasters, such as storms, fires, or earthquakes, as well as coverage for theft or vandalism. This type of insurance is essential for protecting the financial stability and viability of a mushroom farming business.
How Much Does Mushroom Farm Insurance Cost?
The average price of a standard $1,000,000/$2,000,000 General Liability Insurance policy for small mushroom farms ranges from $47 to $69 per month based on location, operation size, claims history and more.
Why Do Mushroom Farms Need Insurance?

Indoor mushroom growing facilities are expensive to build and operate. Operating and maintaining environmental controls require specific technical expertise.
To make sure the harvested mushrooms are free from toxic contaminants, keeping things clean is is essential.
Pest control is also a consideration because some pests, like fungus gnats, can multiply in the environment that is good for growing mushrooms. Mushroom flies larvae eat mushroom mycelium after the flies lay their eggs.
There are several diseases of button-brown-portabella (agaricus) and other mushrooms. They include La France, verticillium, mildew, trichoderma, bacterial blotch, mummy, nematodes, and viruses.
If you grow mushrooms outdoors, you must always take weather into consideration. Mushrooms are greatly affected by light, temperature and humidity levels. A heat wave, cold snap or drought can reduce or destroy crops or created conditions for weed molds to grow. Bacteria can attack and destroy crops.
A large risk for mushroom farmers is being sued by a consumer who gets sick and accuses you of selling contaminated mushrooms. Agricultural waste products used for substrates can contain pesticides and other harmful chemicals that can be accumulate during recycling.
Substrates can also can contain toxic microorganisms like aflatoxin. Some fungi can produce deadly toxins.
While mushroom farms, like most other farms, aren't legally mandated to get mushroom farm insurance, not having it can be risky.
For instance, if your farm is sued, you could end up needing to pay for fees and compensation worth thousands of dollars at least. That's why having sufficient enough liability insurance is so important.
What Type Of Insurance Do Mushroom Farmers Need?
General Liability
Insurers recognize that all businesses, regardless of their industry, are faced with risks that need to be covered with the right insurance policy. The most common of these policies is a general liability insurance policy.
Mushroom farmers who have a general liability insurance policy are usually going to be covered for:
- Damage to the property
- Bodily injury
- Legal judgment and defense expenses
- Medical expenses
- Personal injury
Even though general liability is the most essential type of coverage and also the most common, there are many other types of mushroom farm insurance policies you need to be aware of. Below is a brief list of the various types of insurance a mushroom farm owner will want to invest in:

Commercial Property Insurance
Most mushroom farms will usually need commercial property insurance for the buildings and their equipment. When you have property insurance, it also covers product inventory and supplies.
Mushroom farm owners should make sure that their policy covers the farm's buildings and their growing equipment. A well-designed policy will be able to cover grown mushrooms, too, since they become part of the inventory. However, make sure that it is stated in the mushroom farm insurance policy before you buy it.
Product Liability Insurance
As a mushroom farm owner, you stand the risk of being held financially responsible for any injuries that your product causes. When you have product liability insurance, it helps protect businesses from various product-related lawsuits if the mushroom harms someone.
Make sure that you have product liability insurance just because you can never be sure who has a bad reaction to them. Even something as minor as choking on the mushroom or getting indigestion can lead to a significant financial fallout.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
Mushroom growing is labor intensive. If you have employees, then the business will most certainly require workers' compensation insurance. It will cover various job-related injuries and illnesses. Also, depending on what your state's laws are, you most likely be mandated to have it.
Commercial Auto Insurance
Vehicles used by your mushroom farm will need to be insured. You need to be covered if there is a truck or multiple delivery vans operating by making deliveries to clients. Keep in mind that having a personal auto insurance policy will not cover driving a vehicle related to your business.
What Are The Most Popular Commercially Cultivated Edible Mushroom Species?
Button, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms make up around 70 percent of the world's production. Following is a list of some of the highest demand mushrooms that are commercially cultivated (courtesy of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_mushroom):
- Agaricus bisporus: dominates the edible mushroom market in North America and Europe, in several forms. It is an edible basidiomycete mushroom native to grasslands in Europe and North America. As it ages, this mushroom turns from small, white and smooth to large and light brown. In its youngest form, it is known as the 'common mushroom', 'button mushroom', 'cultivated mushroom', and 'champignon mushroom'. Its fully mature form is known as 'portobello'. Its semi-mature form is known variously as 'cremini', 'baby-bella', 'Swiss brown' mushroom, 'Roman brown' mushroom, 'Italian brown' mushroom, or 'chestnut' mushroom.
- Pleurotus: species are commonly grown at industrial scale.
- Lentinula edodes: the Shiitake mushroom.
- Auricularia auricula-judae: the Jew's ear, wood ear or jelly ear mushroom.
- Volvariella volvacea: the paddy straw mushroom or straw mushroom.
- Flammulina velutipes: the enoki mushroom, golden needle mushroom, seafood mushroom, lily mushroom, winter mushroom, velvet foot, velvet shank or velvet stem../li>
- Tremella fuciformis: the snow fungus, snow ear, silver ear fungus and white jelly mushroom.
- Hypsizygus tessellatus: aka Hypsizygus marmoreus, the beech mushroom, also known in its white and brown varieties as Bunapi-shimeji and Buna-shimeji, respectively.
- Stropharia rugosoannulata: the wine cap mushroom, burgundy mushroom, garden giant mushroom or king stropharia.
- Cyclocybe aegerita: the pioppino, velvet pioppini, poplar or black poplar mushroom.
- Hericium erinaceus: the lion's mane, monkey head, bearded tooth, satyr's beard, bearded hedgehog, or pom pom mushroom.
- Phallus indusiatus: the bamboo mushrooms, bamboo pith, long net stinkhorn, crinoline stinkhorn or veiled lady mushroom.
What Does Mushroom Farm Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Mushroom farms, like any other business, can face various types of lawsuits. Here are a few examples:
1. Personal Injury Claims: These can arise if a visitor, an employee, or a contractor gets injured on the farm due to negligence, such as slip and fall accidents, equipment-related injuries, or exposure to harmful substances. The injured party might sue the farm for medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering.
Insurance Protection: General liability insurance can help in such instances. This type of insurance covers bodily injuries and property damage claims. It can help pay for the legal defense costs, settlements, or court-ordered judgments. Workers' compensation insurance would cover injuries to employees, providing wage replacement and medical benefits.
2. Product Liability Claims: If someone gets sick from consuming mushrooms from the farm due to a quality issue or contamination, they may sue the farm for damages.
Insurance Protection: Product liability insurance can protect against these types of claims. It covers the costs associated with recalls, legal defense, settlements, and judgments related to claims of illness or injury caused by a defective product.
3. Environmental Claims: Mushroom farms could face lawsuits related to environmental damage. For example, improper disposal of farm waste could contaminate local water supplies, or excessive use of pesticides could harm local ecosystems.
Insurance Protection: Environmental or pollution liability insurance can help cover the costs associated with these lawsuits. This type of insurance can cover cleanup costs, property damage, and bodily injury claims related to environmental incidents.
4. Employment Disputes: Like any employer, mushroom farms can be sued by employees for issues such as wrongful termination, discrimination, or harassment.
Insurance Protection: Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI) can cover the costs associated with defending against these types of claims and any settlements or judgments that may result.
It's important for mushroom farms, and indeed all businesses, to work with a knowledgeable insurance broker to ensure they have the right types and amounts of coverage for their specific risks.
Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification
- SIC CODE: 0182 Food Crops Grown Under Cover
- NAICS CODE: 111411 - Mushroom Production
- Suggested ISO General Liability Code(s):
- Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 0035 Farm - Florist & Drivers
Description for 0182: Food Crops Grown Under Cover
Division A: Agriculture, Forestry, And Fishing | Major Group 01: Agricultural Production Crops | Industry Group 018: Horticultural Specialties
0182 Food Crops Grown Under Cover: Establishments primarily engaged in the production of mushrooms or of fruits and vegetables grown under cover.
- Bean sprouts grown under cover
- Fruits grown under cover
- Greenhouses for food crops
- Hydroponic crops, grown under cover
- Mushroom spawn, production of
- Mushrooms, growing of
- Rhubarb grown under cover
- Seaweed grown under cover
- Tomatoes grown under cover
- Truffles grown under cover
- Vegetables grown under cover
Mushroom Farm Insurance - The Bottom Line
As a mushroom farm owner, it pays to be covered with multiple insurance policies. You also should make sure that there aren't any gaps in the policies; if there are, they should be patched up.
To find out more about the mushroom farm insurance coverages you'll need as a mushroom farmer, speak with an reputable and experienced insurance agent who specializes in commercial farming insurance.
Additional Resources For Agribusiness Insurance
Learn about small business agribusiness insurance - a type of commercial insurance protects farmers against loss of, or damage to crops or livestock.
- Insurance Farming Terms Glossary
- Aquaculture Fish Farm
- Beekeepers
- Commercial Fishermen
- Crop
- Dairy Farm
- Equine & Horse Farm
- Farm And Ranch
- Farm Equipment Dealers
- Farm Labor Contractors
- Livestock & Cattle
- Mushroom Farms
- Nursery And Greenhouse
- Nut Farm
- Orchards & Groves
- Poultry Farm
- Sheep & Goat Farm
- Swine, Hog & Pig Farm
- Tobacco Farm
- Specialty Farm Risks

The agribusiness industry is a vital sector of the global economy, providing food, fiber, and other essential products to people around the world. However, it is also a complex and risky industry, with many potential sources of loss and damage. This is why the agribusiness industry needs commercial insurance.
One major risk in the agribusiness industry is natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes. These events can devastate crops and livestock, leading to significant financial losses for farmers and other agribusiness owners. Business insurance can help protect against these losses, providing a financial cushion to help businesses recover and continue operating.
Another risk in the agribusiness industry is the potential for accidents or injuries on the farm. Farming can be a dangerous occupation, and accidents can occur while working with heavy machinery or handling animals. Insurance can help cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other expenses related to these accidents.
In addition to these risks, the agribusiness industry is subject to various legal and regulatory requirements, such as food safety standards and environmental regulations. Noncompliance with these requirements can result in costly fines and legal action. Insurance can help cover the costs of legal fees and settlements, protecting businesses from financial ruin.
Overall, the agribusiness industry needs insurance to protect against the various risks and challenges it faces. Without commercial insurance, businesses in this industry would be vulnerable to financial losses that could threaten their survival. By investing in insurance, agribusiness owners can safeguard their businesses and ensure their continued success.
Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Buildings, Business Personal Property, Crop Insurance, Employee Dishonesty, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Goods in Transit, Mobile Equipment, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Environmental Impairment, Umbrella, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.
Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Business Income and Extra Expense, Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Farm Owners, Flood, Computer Fraud, Employee Dishonesty, Forgery, Money and Securities, Cyber Liability, Employee Benefits, Employment-related Practices Liability, Product Recall, Underground Storage Tank, Stop Gap Liability and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones).