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4.4.101   BOARD ORGANIZATION
(1) The state board of hail insurance hereby adopts and incorporates the organizational rules of the department of agriculture as listed in chapter 1 of this title.
History: 2-15-121 and 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-201, MCA; NEW, Eff. 2/4/74.

4.4.201   BOARD PROCEDURE
(1)  The state board of hail insurance herein adopts and incorporates the model procedural rules with the exception, modifications and additions thereto, whichever is applicable, as set out in chapter 2 of this title.
History: 2-15-121 and 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-201, MCA; NEW, Eff. 2/4/74.

4.4.202   PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

This rule has been repealed.

History: 2-15-121, 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 2-3-103, MCA; NEW, 2008 MAR p. 942, Eff. 5/9/08; REP, 2015 MAR p. 2136, Eff. 12/11/15.

4.4.301   ADJUSTMENT OF HAIL LOSS
(1)  When the adjustment of a hail loss is made, the percentage of loss allowed shall be that percentage of the crop which has been destroyed by hail only. The adjustment shall be subject to the condition mentioned in ARM 4.4.315 Liability To Cease for State Board of Hail Insurance.

(2)  The cost of cutting, pulling, binding or harvesting in any manner shall not be considered in measuring the extent of the loss, provided that payment of the loss be limited to not more than the estimated value of the damaged crop before the hail.

(3)  The value of the loss shall be based on the amount of hail insurance coverage purchased per acre.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-244, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.302   AT LEAST 5% LOSS NEEDED
(1) If any insured claims a loss and no appreciable part of any field shows a loss of at least 5%, the insured may be required to pay the adjusting expense. All loss claims must be filed with the state board of hail insurance at Helena within 14 days after the storm. If any insured grain has been damaged by hail and is ripe enough to harvest before the adjuster appears, the insured may proceed with his harvesting with the exception that he must leave fair, representative samples in each field as directed on the hail loss report form and on the acknowledgement of loss form.
History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-244, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 1988 MAR p. 267, Eff. 2/12/88.

4.4.303   INSURED CROPS

(1) All crops authorized under 80-2-205, MCA, including the following, may be insured at any time through August 15.

 

alfalfa alfalfa seed barley beans
camelina canary seed canola chick peas
corn flax fruit grass crops*
herbs lentils millet mint
mustard oats peas potatoes
rape rye safflower sanfoin
sorghum soybeans speltz sugar beets
sunflowers triticale truck crops wheat
wheat grass
*does not include forage

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-205, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 1982 MAR p. 1266, Eff. 7/1/82; AMD, 2003 MAR p. 2079, Eff. 9/26/03; AMD, 2008 MAR p. 562, Eff. 3/28/08.

4.4.304   HAY CROPS
(1) This hail insurance covers up to a total loss on any one-cutting hay crop, or partial losses on hay crops with more than one cutting per season, up to where the losses amount to not more than the equivalent of a total loss of one cutting.
History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-205, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78.

4.4.305   PROVISIONS OF COVERAGE
(1)  Hail insurance on all insured crops is in force for the full growing season with the following provisions:

(a) there will be no liability on grain until 75% of the plants are plainly jointed;

(b)  no liability is assumed on beans and peas until they show a practical stand;

(c)  no liability is assumed on any crops for loss or damage to blooms, leaves, or stems unless such loss or damage plainly reduces the quality or quantity of the production;

(d)  when loss or damage is sustained on immature crops the adjustment may be delayed until the extent of the damage may be more accurately determined; and 

(e)  no liability is assumed on mustard or flax until 75% of the plants are four inches tall, and on sugar beets until 75% of the plants have 12 or more leaves.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-244, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.306   APPLICATION FOR INSURANCE

(1) Persons wishing to participate in the hail insurance program shall file a properly filled out and signed application with the Montana Department of Agriculture no later than August 15.

 

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-203, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2017 MAR p. 437, Eff. 4/15/17.

4.4.307   TIME POLICY BECOMES EFFECTIVE

This rule has been repealed.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-203, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; REP, 1993 MAR p. 939, Eff. 5/14/93.

4.4.308   REAPPRAISAL
(1)  In case of disagreement on any adjustment, the insured must ask for reappraisal within 10 days. The insured may at his option submit the matter to arbitration as provided in 80-2-243 , MCA or sue the state board of hail insurance in the district court of the county where the loss occurred.
History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-243 and 80-7-912, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78.

4.4.309   FILING OF APPLICATION FOR REDUCTION AND SCHEDULE

(1) When an application for reduction of premium is filed and approved, the rate on such crops withdrawn shall be computed in proportion to the time the insurance is in force, and in accordance with the maximum rate established for the zone in which said crops are growing.

spring crops

winter crops

Before July 6th inclusive

1/4 rate

Before June 17th

1/4 rate

Between July 6th
and 12th

1/2 rate

Between June 17th and 23rd

1/2 rate

After July 12th

full rate

After June 23rd

full rate

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-229, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.310   SPECIAL CROPS REDUCTION
(1) All growers of grain and other special crops seeking a reduction of premium shall be subject to the dates in ARM 4.4.309 except five days additional shall be allowed:

(a) all growers in the counties adjoining the Canadian border; and

(b) those in other counties where the insured crops are growing at an elevation in excess of 3,500 feet above sea level.

(2) When any insured crop has been practically destroyed by other means than hail after the dates provided in ARM 4.4.309 Filing of Application For Reduction and Schedule, and (1) of this rule, the insured may apply to the state board of hail insurance for a reduction in the charge, but the requests for such reduction must be made before the grain is harvested. When the insured furnishes the required information proving the damage or destruction of the crop the state board of hail insurance may approve a reduction of the charge to not less than one-half the regular charge for the season.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-229 and 80-2-242, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.311   RECEIPT OF REFUND
(1) To receive a refund of any surplus funds declared by the hail board, a policy holder must have his premium paid in full by July 1st of the following crop season.
History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-222, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.312   PROCESS OF PAYMENT FOR LOSSES
(1) Any losses occurring under policies issued for this application shall be payable within 40 days of the occurrence of the loss as follows:

(a) Loss payment shall be applied to outstanding policy premium (regardless of location in Montana) ; loss payment shall be applied to policy of loss first, remaining loss payment shall be applied to additional policies of record in descending order based on date of issuance.

(b) Policy holders will be identified by tax identification number. Policies having the same tax identification number will be considered the same entity and loss payment policies enacted accordingly.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-244, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 1994 MAR p. 2712, Eff. 10/14/94.

4.4.313   LOSSES EXCEEDING THE PREMIUM FOR THAT YEAR

(1) If the losses for any year exceed the premiums for that year plus the reserve fund, if any, then the payment on losses shall be prorated share-and-share-alike among all suffering loss by hail.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-244 and 80-7-907, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.314   CUT OFF DATE

This rule has been repealed.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-241, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; REP, 1993 MAR p. 939, Eff. 5/14/93.

4.4.315   LIABILITY TO CEASE FOR STATE BOARD OF HAIL INSURANCE
(1) The liability of the state board of hail insurance for damage by hail to crops insured under this act shall cease when:

(a) The crops are headed, mowed, or harvested in any manner except that liability against damage by hail will continue in force on grain or any other crops which have been bound, shocked, or windrowed until the insured has had a reasonable time to complete harvesting or threshing.

(b) The insured neglects under favorable conditions to harvest the crops insured within a reasonable time after the grain is fully ripe.

(c) The insured makes application for cancellation or reduction of the current hail insurance levy on account of the alleged destruction of said crops by other means than hail.

(d) The crops are destroyed by other means than hail.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-244, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.316   LIABILITY ON ALL CROPS
(1) The liability on all crops insured will expire October 1 at 11:59 p.m.
History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-203 and 80-2-241, MCA; NEW, 1978 MAR p. 719, Eff. 5/26/78; AMD, 1993 MAR p. 939, Eff. 5/14/93; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.

4.4.317   REQUEST FOR INSURANCE ON HAIL DAMAGED GRAIN

(1) A producer may request insurance for a crop that has already had hail damage if they comply with the following:

(a) the request must be made on a form furnished by the department;

(b) the form must be completed in full and signed;

(c) the first loss may not have more than a 25% loss caused by hail;

(d) no hail loss will be awarded on the crop until the fifth day after the previous damage.

(e) the insured producer shall be charged the regular maximum rate for insurance on the sound portion of the crop remaining after the first damage, and if the crop should later be totally destroyed, the producer will be paid the full amount of insurance as shown in the policy.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-201 and 80-2-203, MCA; NEW, 1988 MAR p. 267, Eff 2/12/88.

4.4.318   PAYING 100% WHEN THE LOSS SHOWS AT LEAST 90% OR ABOVE ACTUAL LOSS

(1) The State Hail Insurance Program will pay the producer 100% of the payable amount when the adjuster shows by count that the loss is 90% or above.

 

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-201, 80-2-244, MCA; NEW, 1988 MAR p. 267, Eff. 2/12/88; AMD, 2017 MAR p. 437, Eff. 4/15/17.

4.4.319   DISPUTED APPRAISAL
(1) If a party files a claim and is dissatisfied with the final determination of the adjustment, the party may appeal the determination pursuant to 80-2-201 and 80-2-243 , MCA.

(2) In the case where another insurance company is involved, the board reserves the right to make its own adjustment or have the final say in the settlement of the portion involving state hail insurance.

History: 80-2-201, MCA; IMP, 80-2-201 and 80-2-243, MCA; NEW, 1988 MAR p. 267, Eff. 2/12/88; AMD, 2004 MAR p. 565, Eff. 3/12/04.