Wild Rice Insurance Program

Wild Rice Coverage

Your contract of insurance is continuous. Your 2020  insurance selections and licensed acres will remain the same for 2021 unless you make changes by the deadline.

If you wish to add acres, update the coverage on the acres to be insured, or remove your coverage, you must contact SCIC by March 31, 2021. Outstanding account balances must be paid in full by March 31, 2021. If you wish to cancel your contract, you must provide the request in writing by March 31, 2021 with the signatures of all parties named on the contract.

Applying for Insurance

All SCIC customers are required to complete an application for insurance. Crop Insurance regulations require eligible producers to demonstrate legal, financial and operational independence from all other producers. To obtain a contract of insurance, contact the customer service office in Prince Albert and make an appointment before March 31.

SCIC administers this program based on your Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment licensed acres or declared band acres. You will need to provide approval for SCIC to review your licence information collected by Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and/or the appropriate band office. If you do not share this information, SCIC will be unable to provide you with insurance. 

SCIC reserves the right to review any contract to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements. Where concerns are identified, the contract holder will be advised of these requirements in order to maintain a contract in future years. 

Program Information

Endorsing Wild Rice Coverage

The Wild Rice Insurance Program is an area-based insurance program based on average yields. Your coverage depends on the regions in which you harvest (see map). Coverage is based on the average production for each region determined using production data provided by wild rice growers and buyers. Premium is based on the number of licensed acres you insured and cost-shared 40 per cent producer, 36 per cent Government of Canada and 24 per cent Government of Saskatchewan.

The insured price is $1.60/lb.

Claims are triggered when a region's reported annual production is less than the average historical production. Your claim will be calculated based on the number of acres you insured in that region and the coverage level selected: 50, 60, or 70 per cent. The Wild Rice Insurance Program is an area-based program; claims are not determined by your individual production. Claims are triggered when the region suffers a loss due to an insurable cause of loss. Insurable causes of loss include frost, wind, excessive rain, lightning, hurricane, tornado, insects, plant disease and hail.

Paying the Premium

Your premium is due as soon as you receive your Statement of Insurance. However, your 2021 premium is interest-free until September 30, 2021. Interest will start to accrue October 1. If the account is paid by October 31, no interest will be charged. After October 31, interest will be charged at the beginning of each month until the account is paid in full. The interest rate is Royal Bank prime plus two per cent, adjusted quarterly. Any contract with premiums not paid or not having payment arrangements made by the March 31, 2022, deadline will not be eligible for coverage in 2022.

Your Claim

Claims will be automatically calculated once harvest is complete. You do not need to contact SCIC to register a claim. Payments are based on the total production of wild rice in each region. If you are eligible for a claim, and there is premium owing, premium will be deducted from claim amounts. If you want to defer your claim, that selection must chosen when completing your endorsement form. If you requested a deferral, the cheque will be issued on that date.