Anti-hail netting or crop insurance? A comparison

Hail is one of the most feared risks in agriculture. In just a few minutes, a storm can wipe out an entire season's production. That is why many growers ask themselves: is it better to invest in crop insurance or to install anti-hail netting? In this article we explain what each option offers, what its limitations are and why many producers combine both to be truly protected.

Crop insurance: financial cover, but not prevention

Taking out crop insurance may be mandatory for certain grants or subsidies. Its main function is to cover financial losses in the event of a claim. Advantages of crop insurance:

• ✅ Financial compensation for damage.
• ✅ The possibility of including it in certain programmes or subsidies.
• ✅ Peace of mind in the face of serious unforeseen events.

Limitations:

• ❌ It does not protect the harvest in real time: if hail falls, the damage is already done.
• ❌ Payouts can take time to arrive.
• ❌ Variable premiums: the higher the risk, the more expensive the policy.
• ❌ It does not prevent losses in commercial quality or reduced fruit size.

Anti-hail netting: prevention, stability and secured production

Netting does not compensate for losses. It prevents them from happening. Its function is purely protective: it creates a physical barrier that stops hail from hitting the fruit directly. Advantages of anti-hail netting:

• ✅ Real, continuous prevention: the hail does not even touch the fruit.
• ✅ Extra protection against wind, excessive sun and mechanical damage.
• ✅ More stable production: uniform, marketable, higher-value fruit.
• ✅ Long-term savings: an investment that pays for itself in a few years.
• ✅ No annual premiums or dependence on insurers.

Limitations:

• ❌ It requires an initial investment in materials and installation.
• ❌ It needs basic maintenance and prior planning.

What if you combine both? Physical protection + financial backing

Many growers opt for a combined strategy:

• The netting secures production in the field, protecting the fruit from day one.
• The insurance acts as financial backing in exceptional situations not covered by the structure (vandalism, fire, other weather events).

This combination protects both the harvest and the business, without relying 100% on a single system.

Which should you choose for your situation?

If your priority is... The best option is... Securing marketable fruit every season

• Anti-hail netting

Meeting the requirements for grants or the CAP

• Crop insurance

Avoiding physical damage and having stable production

• Anti-hail netting

Financial backing for one-off incidents

• Crop insurance

Protecting the profitability of the crop as much as possible

• Both (netting + insurance combined)

Shall we help you find the best solution for your farm?

At Novafrut we have spent more than 20 years helping growers protect what really matters: production. Contact us: we can study your case and suggest the best option for your crop, area and objectives.