California wine grape growers will have access to new crop insurance options designed to address industry-specific challenges. It starts with a wildfire smoke endorsement available in 2025.

The Fire Insurance Protection-Smoke Index policy, with a January 31 enrollment deadline, aims to streamline claims processes and offer better coverage for wildfire-related losses. Unlike traditional policies requiring lab testing at individual vineyards, the new endorsement uses county-level data on smoke exposure.

If a county experiences 13 consecutive days of heavy smoke, as determined by federal weather data, payouts are automatically triggered. There is no need for a claims adjustment process. Higher smoke exposure days result in larger payouts. The policy must be purchased alongside a multiperil policy, which still requires lab testing for claims.

The California Association of Winegrape Growers is also developing a Cost Protection Policy to stabilize growers’ input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer. Listening sessions will be held later this month. It would lock them at the season’s starting input costs and provide indemnity payments for unexpected increases during the season.

Read more about the new crop insurance options for wine growers here.