Frequently Asked Questions
Weather Insurance
What types of weather can you protect against?
The Climate Corporation has developed protection against a variety of weather perils that can have an impact on crop yield, including precipitation, heat, drought, and freeze.
How is Total Weather Insurance (TWI) different from crop insurance offered through federal programs?
TWI complements crop insurance offered through federal programs. While multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI) can provide coverage for up to 75% or 85% of a grower's actual production history (APH) depending on crop and location, TWI is intended to protect more of the profit potential. TWI is also different from federal crop insurance because it pays solely based on the occurrence of specified weather events, and does not typically require any claims adjustment process or paperwork.
How does The Climate Corporation determine coverage cost?
The Climate Corporation uses a sophisticated modeling system to assess risk and determine premiums using historic, simulated and forecasted climate and weather data. Factors that can influence pricing include
• Historical Observations: Past weather events at the insured location, including recent trends and changes in weather patterns.
• Short-Range Forecasts: The closer to the start date you purchase your insurance, the greater the influence of these forecasts.
• Current Weather Conditions: Current drought, cold-spell or other prolonged weather conditions.
• Climate Outlook Models: El Niño and other large-scale weather indicators.
• Long-Term Trends: Warming, cooling and other long-term trends.
Weather Data
How is the weather monitored?
The Climate Corporation’s platform integrates real-time, independently reported precipitation data generated by the National Weather Service (NWS) and MDA Information Systems, Inc. (doing business as MDA EarthSat Weather), a third-party temperature data that compiles various federal government-maintained weather data sets, together with temperature readings from networks maintained by states.
How is precipitation reported for my TWI 2013 policy?
Daily precipitation values generated and reported by the NWS for the local precipitation grid specified in your TWI policy are used as the policy precipitation measurements.
For detailed information, please read our FAQ.
How is temperature reported for my TWI 2013 policy?
Daily maximum and minimum temperature values reported by the third-party temperature data provider specified in your policy are used to determine the policy temperature measurements for the local temperature grid specified in your policy.
Daily maximum and minimum temperature values reported by the third-party temperature data provider specified in your policy are used to determine the policy temperature measurements for the local temperature grid specified in your policy.
For detailed information, please read our FAQ.
How is soil moisture tracked for my TWI 2013 policy?
Soil Moisture is calculated by the Soil Moisture TrackerSM (SMT), which estimates the percent of total plant available water capacity that is present in the soil through each day of the growing season. The model is similar to a “bucket” that gains (precipitation) and loses evapotranspiration (ET) water each day
For detailed information about the Soil Moisture Tracker, please read our FAQ.
How are growth stages tracked for my TWI 2013 policy?
Growth stages are calculated by the Growth Stage Tracker, which estimates the timing of crop advancement in a TWI insured field through various growth stages, from planting to full maturity. The purpose of the Growth Stage Tracker is to determine the calendar dates on which the various peril coverages included in a TWI policy should start and stop once the estimated planting date is determined.
For detailed information about the Growth Stage Tracker, please read our FAQ.
Where can I view my up to date weather data?
If you have a climate.com account, you can login to the Policy Status page on www.climate.com at any time to see the most current precipitation and temperature measurements and estimated weather losses for any of your TWI policies. Go to climate.com and click on the “Login” link at the top of the page to login to your account with your e-mail address and password. If you have a TWI policy but have not yet been set up with an online account, you can contact your independent agent to get set up or you can contact The Climate Support Team at (888) 924-7475. Final weather loss information will typically be available within 7 days after the end date of each policy. Click “View Weather Data” within any weather peril coverage to see a table with all relevant temperature or precipitation measurements s and current weather loss information.
Where can I find more coverage information?
For additional coverage information throughout the growing season, please login to climate.com, select your policy, and click the "View Coverage Explanations" button. Here you will be able to see the Help Text, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and Peril Coverage Videos viewed during the quoting process.
If you do not have a climate.com account, please provide your email address to your agent and ask to have a climate.com account set up. If you are unable to create an account, please contact The Climate Support Team directly at 1-888-924-7475 (toll free) or email support@climate.com to be mailed the same coverage information.
Payment
How do I get paid?
Weather Loss is determined solely by independently reported weather measurements, eliminating the need for a lengthy claims process, proof-of-loss or payment waiting period. If a payout, defined as total weather loss minus policy deductible is due the policy premium will first be deducted. Any payout, net of premium due, will result in a check sent to you automatically."
When do I get paid?
Checks are sent within 14 days of the end of your policy period. For TWI policies, if there is a payout, defined as total weather loss minus policy deductible, due that is greater than the TWI policy premium, you will receive a check in the mail within 14 days of the end of the coverage period for your policy. The amount of the check will be the payout less any premium due.
How can I be sure The Climate Insurance Agency (TCIA) is able to pay claims?
All insurance sold by The Climate Corporation is written through North American Elite Insurance Company (NAE), which has an A.M. Best "A+" (Superior) rating*, and administered by The Climate Insurance Agency, LLC. The policies are reinsured by Swiss RE Corporate Solutions Ltd which also has an A.M. Best rating of "A+" (Superior). Every state insurance commissioner has approved our products and regulates the organization.
How do I cancel a policy?
When you purchase your policy, you and your agent will be provided instructions explaining how to cancel your policy through your agent’s access to our secure online system. A policy may only be cancelled within the cancellation period set forth in that policy. If you or your agent have any questions about cancellation, please call The Climate Support Team at (888) 924-7475.
Who do I contact if I have a dispute?
You can contact The Climate Support Team directly at 1-888-924-7475 (toll free) or email support@climate.com.
About The Climate Corporation
How is The Climate Corporation related to WeatherBill?
The Climate Corporation was formerly known as WeatherBill. On October 11, 2011 WeatherBill officially changed its name to The Climate Corporation. Please see our press release for more information.