February 3, 2026
COUNTRY Financial® Introduces New Crop Insurance Coverages, Adding Comprehensive Coverage Options for Illinois Farmers
Farmers encouraged to review and select their coverage options before March 15 deadline
Illinois farmers making crop insurance decisions for 2026 will have more options from COUNTRY Financial. COUNTRY announces the launch of PECO, a new product designed to provide higher individual coverage options for corn and soybeans.
“PECO builds on federal crop insurance by lowering the deductible that triggers a claim, reflecting farmers’ individual improved yields and the rising costs of production. This means greater protection and more flexibility for farmers,” said Brian Davis, Product Analyst, Crop Underwriting at COUNTRY.
With PECO, farmers choose the coverage they need.
- Maximize coverage- those concerned with covering every bushel or dollar of revenue possible can elect an 85% MPCI policy and use PECO to increase coverage level up to 95%. (See chart, Example #1).
- SCO Bridge- using an MPCI policy of 80% or less, add SCO to provide an area bridge policy up to the PECO policy. This covers shallow and deep losses, with the added help of an area plan in the middle. (See chart, Example #2)
- Gap coverage- reduce your MPCI coverage to provide protection on deeper losses, while using PECO to address shallow losses. This leaves the middle unprotected but is useful for farmers who consistently produce above their APH and have lower debt obligations. (Example #3)
“PECO provides ultimate customization for the farm,” said Davis. “This product was created with one goal in mind: to help farmers keep more of what they earn and reduce the financial stress that comes with unpredictable markets and weather.”
What’s new for crop insurance in 2026
“The One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law on July 4th provides many enhancements to crop insurance benefiting nearly all growers,” said Davis.
As farmers prepare to make decisions for your 2026 crop coverage here are some important changes to consider:
- Expanded Premium Support for ECO and SCO- farmers who elect ECO or SCO coverage will now benefit from increased premium subsidies. For 2026 the federal government will provide 80% of the premium payment making the cost to the farmer for these area coverages significantly more affordable. Along with the premium support, the SCO eligibility restriction to only PLC has been removed. Now growers may elect SCO regardless of whether they choose PLC or ARC.
- MPCI Premium Subsidy Increased- In addition to the enhanced premium support for ECO and SCO, increases to the premium subsidy have been made for individual plans such as Revenue Protection and Yield Protection policies.
- Beginning Farmer Rancher (BFR) - BFR benefits have increased. Now BFR eligible producers may receive up to ten years of benefits along with increased premium support.
- Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)- WFRP policies will benefit from increased premium subsidies in addition to an increase in coverage levels to 90%.
Important Dates for Illinois Farmers
- Feb 1 – 28: Base prices are calculated using Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) futures
- Feb 15: Production reporting deadline for area plans of insurance
- March 15: Sales closing deadline for MPCI and Unity Crop Hail* for spring seeded crops
- March 15: Sales closing deadline for Supplemental Replant endorsement*
- March 15: Sales closing deadline for Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) and (PECO *)
- April 29: Production reporting deadline for individual plans of insurance (RP, RP-HPE, YP)
- June 1: Sales closing deadline for Wind, Green Snap and Extra Harvest Expense endorsements*
- July 1: Crop Hail carryover coverage ends*
- July 15: Acreage reporting deadline for Spring Federal crop policies
*COUNTRY Financial products
Meet with a Crop Certified Representative to Discuss Personalized Coverage
COUNTRY representatives are ready to discuss farmers’ farm and crop insurance needs as they make plans for 2026. To learn more about crop insurance and farm insurance options and to find a representative, visit countryfinancial.com.
Media contact
Carrie Skogsberg, COUNTRY Financial
COUNTRY Financial® is a family of affiliated companies (collectively, COUNTRY) located in Bloomington, IL. Learn more about who we are.