2011 Crop Insurance Claims Payments Could Impact Regional Insurers

National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) says indemnity payments in 2011 surpassed $9 billion for the first time in history—and Moody’s Investors Service says this development could put smaller, geographically concentrated insurers at risk.

NCIS cites historic droughts in the Plains, flooding along the Mississippi River and deep freezes in the South for the $9.1 billion in payments and says that figure could grow to $10 billion as remaining claims are settled.