Crop-Connect offers convenient crop insurance management

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has developed a website aimed at providing Saskatchewan producers with a convenient and efficient way to manage their crop insurance contracts.

Created in 2003, CropConnect is a free service that gives producers online access to their personal contract information. From the comfort of their own homes, producers can complete the various forms and applications necessary for crop insurance coverage.

“Throughout the year, we ask our customers to supply us with some of their farming data to fulfill their contract commitments,” said Trilby Henderson, Communications and Information Specialist with SCIC.

“By using CropConnect, producers are able to complete these tasks online instead of dealing with the paper copies or by coming into the office.”

Enrolling with CropConnect allows producers to complete personal premium and coverage calculations, enter and view their annual endorsement selections, and view their land claim and yield history. They are also able to complete seeded acreage reports, make personalized production declarations and update their demographic information.

“The site gives producers the opportunity to view the selections they have made and keeps track of their history so that they can retrieve all of that information instantly by signing into the program,” Henderson said. “By accessing the information, producers are able to make better management decisions.”

“At certain times of the year, many producers might not be able to get in to see us, but they are able to complete the elements required under their crop insurance contracts by going online. This allows the service to fit in with their schedules.”

CropConnect benefits Saskatchewan producers in several ways. “The main advantage of using this service is convenience. The site is also a time saver, allowing producers to stay on top of the insurance program requirements from the comfort of their own homes,” Henderson stated.

SCIC also follows a strict privacy policy, so producers can be assured that their personal information is well protected.

As part of their ongoing commitment to customer service, SCIC is continuously looking for new features to add to the website.

Henderson says that SCIC is always ready to help producers who prefer the one-on-one interaction of a meeting. However, there are certain busy periods during the year when the offices are extremely active with walk-in traffic, and delays can sometimes occur.

“CropConnect helps to minimize and contain this active period,” she noted. “So if producers are just looking for a quick way to complete these forms and they don’t need the extra help, they might really enjoy this service.”

Any producers interested in enrolling with CropConnect can contact the CropConnect help desk at 1-800-422-1943. All they require is an active e-mail address and the legal name on their crop insurance contract. Customers can enrol in the program any time during the year.

Producers will then be given a temporary password, and will be able to select their own personal password upon accessing the program.

Visit www.saskcropinsurance.com for more information.

For more information, contact:
Trilby Henderson, Communications and Information Specialist
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Phone: (306) 728-7427