PMFBY Crop Insurance: How to Enrol, Premium Rates, and Claim Process
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is the government's flagship crop insurance scheme. It protects farmers against crop loss caused by natural calamities, pests, diseases, and even prevented sowing — all at a very low premium. The difference between what the farmer pays and the actual actuarial premium is shared equally by the central and state governments, so the financial burden on the farmer stays minimal.
If you grow any notified crop, this guide covers everything you need to know: who qualifies, how much you pay, what is covered, how to enrol, and how to file a claim if things go wrong.
Who can enrol
All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas are eligible, whether they own the land or are sharecroppers and tenant farmers. There are two categories:
- Loanee farmers (those who have a crop loan from a bank) are automatically enrolled — the bank deducts the premium and sends it to the insurance company. You can opt out in writing if you don't want the cover.
- Non-loanee farmers can voluntarily opt in through a bank, Common Service Centre (CSC), insurance company agent, or the PMFBY portal.
There is no income ceiling. Small, marginal and large farmers are all covered on the same terms.
Premium rates the farmer pays
PMFBY keeps the farmer's share fixed and low, regardless of how high the actual actuarial premium is:
| Season / Crop type | Farmer's premium |
|---|---|
| Kharif (paddy, maize, cotton, soybean, etc.) | 2% of sum insured |
| Rabi (wheat, gram, mustard, etc.) | 1.5% of sum insured |
| Commercial and horticulture crops (sugarcane, fruits, spices, etc.) | 5% of sum insured |
The remaining premium — often many times larger — is paid by the central and state governments on a 50:50 basis. This means that if the actual premium rate for a Kharif crop is 12%, you still pay only 2% and the governments cover the remaining 10%.
What is covered
PMFBY covers a wide range of risks across the entire crop cycle:
- Prevented sowing / planting — if widespread rain, flood or drought stops you from sowing
- Standing crop loss — damage from drought, dry spells, flood, inundation, pests, diseases, landslides, hailstorms, cyclones, and similar natural calamities
- Post-harvest losses — crop lying cut and spread in the field for drying is covered for up to 14 days after harvesting against hailstorm, cyclone, cyclonic rain, and unseasonal rain
- Localized calamities — hailstorm, landslide, inundation, and cloudburst affecting isolated farms (assessed at individual farm level, not the whole area)
- Add-on cover for wild animal attacks — available in states that have opted for it
What is NOT covered
The scheme does not cover losses caused by:
- War and nuclear risks
- Malicious damage and theft
- Deliberate negligence by the farmer (for example, not using recommended seed or practices)
- Risks arising from other preventable causes
In short, the scheme covers genuine natural and weather-related losses, not man-made or avoidable ones.
How to enrol, step by step
Step 1: Check the notification
Each season, state governments notify the crops and areas covered under PMFBY for that season. Check the list on the PMFBY portal or ask at your bank / CSC.
Step 2: Enrol before the cutoff date
There is a sowing-season cutoff — typically a few weeks into the sowing window. For Kharif, the cutoff is usually around July; for Rabi, around December. The exact date is announced by the state each season.
- If you have a crop loan: Your bank auto-enrols you and deducts the premium. Confirm with your bank that the correct crop and area are recorded.
- If you don't have a crop loan: Visit your bank branch, nearest CSC, insurance company office, or register directly on the PMFBY portal (pmfby.gov.in) or the Crop Insurance App.
Step 3: Submit your details and documents
Provide your land records (khatauni / RoR / land title), crop sowing details, Aadhaar number, bank account, and a crop sowing certificate (from the local revenue or agriculture office). Non-loanee farmers also need to submit a self-declaration of the crop being sown.
Step 4: Pay the premium
The premium amount is deducted from your bank account or collected by the CSC / insurance company. You will receive an acknowledgement — keep it safe.
How to file a claim
If your crop is damaged, follow these steps:
1. Report the loss within 72 hours
Inform the insurance company, your bank, the local agriculture office, or call the toll-free helpline listed on the PMFBY portal. You can also report through the Crop Insurance App (available on Android and iOS).
The 72-hour window is important. Delayed reporting can lead to your claim being reduced or rejected.
2. Provide details of the loss
When reporting, share: your policy number, the crop and area affected, the nature and extent of damage, and the date of the event.
3. Assessment by the insurance company
For widespread calamities, crop cutting experiments (CCEs) are conducted across the notified area to estimate yield loss. Individual claims are not needed — the payout is calculated for all insured farmers in that area.
For localized calamities and post-harvest losses, the insurance company sends a surveyor to assess the damage at your individual farm within a set number of days.
4. Claim settlement
Once the assessment is complete, the claim amount is credited directly to your bank account linked to Aadhaar. The government mandates that claims be settled within two months of the final yield data being received.
Documents you need
Keep the following ready for both enrolment and claims:
- Land records — khatauni, Record of Rights (RoR), or land title document
- Bank account details — account number and IFSC (must be linked to Aadhaar)
- Aadhaar card
- Crop sowing certificate — from the patwari or agriculture department
- Self-declaration (for non-loanee farmers) confirming the crop and area sown
- Photos of crop damage (for claims) — take timestamped photos as soon as damage occurs
Frequently asked questions
Is PMFBY compulsory for all farmers? No. Since 2020, enrolment is voluntary for all farmers, including loanee farmers. However, if you have a crop loan and do not opt out in writing, the bank will auto-enrol you.
Can tenant and sharecropper farmers enrol? Yes. Tenant and sharecropper farmers are eligible. They need to submit proof of their farming arrangement (a written agreement or a certificate from the local authority).
What if I grow more than one crop? You can insure each notified crop separately. The premium applies per crop.
Is there a mobile app? Yes. The Crop Insurance App lets you check notifications, enrol, report crop loss, and track your claim status — all from your phone.
How do I check my claim status? Visit pmfby.gov.in, log in with your registered mobile number, and go to the "Claim Status" section. You can also check via the Crop Insurance App.
Check your eligibility for more schemes
Many farmers who use PMFBY also benefit from PM-KISAN, which gives eligible farming families Rs 6,000 per year in direct income support. Use our eligibility checker to see all the schemes you qualify for in one go, and visit the PMFBY scheme page for the latest updates.
Premium rates, coverage terms, and claim processes can change from season to season. Always confirm the latest details on the official PMFBY portal — pmfby.gov.in — or with your local agriculture department before enrolling.