Farm insurance: Central to everyday life for our insured members
Farmers in our communities are inspiring examples of resilience. Faced with economic, climate-related, and geopolitical uncertainty, they work tirelessly to do what they do best: feed Québec. Farm insurance plays an essential role in helping them protect their crops, livestock, property, and livelihoods while continuing to grow their businesses, whatever the weather. But to truly support them, insurance coverage must be tailored to their needs and properly address the risks specific to their industry.
Harold Beaupré and Jean-François Ritt are local farmers who choose to renew their trust in Promutuel Insurance year after year, relying on our damage insurance agents as trusted partners in their day-to-day operations. Find out why!
Understanding the realities of farming
Agriculture is a vast industry, and every sector has its own dynamics and challenges. Insuring a livestock farm is not the same as insuring a market garden like Ferme Jarold, owned by Harold Beaupré. With its pick-your-own strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, as well as seasonal vegetables and other local products, this family-run business is a well-established fixture in Saint-Charles-de-Bellechasse. Its products are available in a variety of formats to suit individual consumers, retailers, and restaurants alike. With multiple revenue streams, the business can face a wide range of unexpected challenges arising from seasonal cycles and market fluctuations, as well as equipment breakdowns or other losses.
This is where Jérôme, Harold Beaupré’s damage insurance agent, makes all the difference. “He’s from the area, and he knows agriculture,” Harold explains. When Harold reaches out to discuss his coverage or changes to his operation, Jérôme understands the implications of his insurance recommendations. Drawing on his comprehensive understanding of local agriculture, he recommends coverage that meets Harold’s day-to-day needs rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions. “He understands our reality. He understands the reality of farmers.”
Being there when it matters
Jean-François Ritt, owner of Domaine RITT – Cidrerie & Vergers, appreciates the support he receives from Katy, his damage insurance agent, much as he appreciates a good wine. Since 2018, this agricultural entrepreneur has combined his expertise in wine microbiology with his creativity to develop innovative products and offer visitors an unforgettable experience at his cidery in Cap-Saint-Ignace. With a clear vision, considerable know-how, and a deep passion for what he does, Jean-François also knows that his 4,000 trees—which produce the apples used to make his cider each year—need to be well protected against fire, equipment breakdowns, and the other risks that come with the business. Katy’s advice helps make that possible.
Based nearby, Katy regularly visits Domaine RITT to assess its needs and risks firsthand and discuss them with the insured member. “We’re not dealing with someone at a call centre. We have direct contact with her,” Jean-François Ritt explains. “She knows how we operate, and she knows the area.” Like many of her colleagues at the mutual company, Katy is also very active in the region. Jean-François can see how involved she is in the community and how she makes a point of staying informed about the challenges local farmers face. “I’ve had the chance to see her at events organized by the chamber of commerce. It’s nice to connect with people outside of a business setting. It makes the relationship more personal.”
For someone who crossed the Atlantic to pursue a dream, having a damage insurance agent who makes the trip to offer advice in person is an added benefit that truly makes a difference. Thanks to her knowledge of the Domaine RITT property and its operations, Katy provides personalized support that helps Jean-François secure coverage suited to his needs, protect his products, land, and equipment, and enjoy greater peace of mind.
Making prevention a priority
It is well established that being prepared is one of the best ways to reduce the risk and impact of a loss. Today’s farmers want more than an insurer who steps in after something goes wrong. They want a trusted partner with whom they can build a lasting relationship—someone who offers personalized, ongoing support with a focus on prevention.
In addition to benefiting from his insurance agent’s sound advice, Jean-François Ritt received valuable feedback following a visit from a prevention expert assigned by the Promutuel Insurance team. “There were a few little things that needed fixing, so we took care of them to make sure our coverage remained adequate,” Jean-François says.
By following the prevention experts’ recommendations and embracing their efforts to raise awareness, particularly regarding electrical fault monitoring systems, insured members like Jean-François take concrete steps to help ensure the long-term sustainability of their farm businesses and preserve their assets. “I’ve put my name on the business. That gives it a little more of my personality, with the hope that I might be able to pass something on to my children one day.” He adds, “I come from a village. I come from the country. Those values are part of who I am.”
By making prevention a priority, damage insurance agents like Katy, together with our prevention experts, draw on their expertise and people-first approach to help protect the life’s work of farmers in our communities.
Taking a proactive approach
The close-knit nature of rural communities is no myth. People who live in the same area know one another and lend each other a hand. Our damage insurance agents’ availability and active involvement in their communities help strengthen the trust they build with our insured members.
Harold Beaupré experienced the benefits of working with someone “from around here” when a fire broke out on his farm. Fortunately, the flames were quickly brought under control, limiting the damage. Before the day was over, Harold received a phone call. “It was Jerome calling us! He’d heard there had been a fire near our place. He contacted us that same evening to let us know he was there to help if we ran into any problems.”
Our damage insurance agents share the values of solidarity and community involvement that matter to our farming insured members. They understand that quality support goes beyond claims settlement—it also means maintaining a genuine, ongoing human connection.
A lasting relationship built on trust
Harold Beaupré and Jean-François Ritt know they can count on their damage insurance agents to build a relationship of trust that stands the test of time. Our mutual insurance teams understand the regional realities facing local farmers and are well versed in the specific challenges of each sector of the agricultural industry.
By listening closely, raising awareness, and remaining actively involved both on the ground and in their communities, our agents help insured farmers find coverage designed around their needs—from third-party liability and farm property insurance to equipment breakdown and cyber risk coverage.
With farm insurance tailored to their needs, our teams take pride in providing our farming insured members with the confidence and peace of mind they deserve every day. For nearly 175 years, we have shared their values and their vision for the future.
That’s what it means to be THERE for Québec’s farm businesses.
