A Revolutionary Parametric Insurance for Apple Growers in Northern India

HDFC Ergo General Insurance Company and FIL Industries Limited announce the renewal of the appleINSURE, an innovative parametric insurance product designed specifically for apple growers in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh facing increasing weather-related risks. The solution, underwritten by HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company, provides rapid, automated payouts within days, instead of months of triggering weather events, revolutionizing how orchards manage financial risk in India’s premier apple-growing regions.

"HDFC ERGO is proud to underwrite this innovative parametric insurance solution that addresses a critical need for apple farmers in Northern India," said Azad Mishra, Head/Rural and Agri Business at HDFC ERGO. "This partnership demonstrates our commitment to developing insurance products that leverage technology to deliver faster, more efficient protection for India's agricultural sector."

- Azad Mishra , Head/Rural and Agri Busines at HDFC Ergo

Unlike traditional crop insurance that requires lengthy claims processes and adjuster visits to remote Himalayan orchards, appleINSURE uses advanced weather monitoring technology to automatically detect events like unseasonal monsoons or drought conditions and unpredictable temperature fluctuations that threaten apple production. When predetermined weather parameters are triggered, payments are immediately processed without requiring damage documentation.

The program represents a significant collaboration between Riskwolf’s parametric technology platform, HDFC ERGO’s insurance expertise, SafeTree, an insurance brokerage firm, and FIL Industries private Ltd., which purchased the policy and works directly with apple farmers to provide on-the-ground support and implementation.

“Apple growers in J&K and Himachal Pradesh can’t afford to wait weeks or months for insurance payments when unpredictable weather damages their crops,” said Thomas Krapf, CEO and Co-Founder of Riskwolf. “With appleINSURE, orchard owners receive funds when they need them most – during the critical period immediately following weather damage when mitigation actions are most effective.”

FIL's direct engagement with apple farming communities has been instrumental in developing a product that addresses the specific challenges faced by growers in the region. "Our team works closely with farmers to understand their unique risks and needs," explained Syed Junaid Altaf, Group Executive Director at FIL. "Through this collaboration with Riskwolf, SafeTree and HDFC ERGO, we're able to offer a solution that provides both financial security and practical support to apple growers."

- Syed Junaid Altaf , Group Executive Director at FIL

The product arrives as climate volatility increasingly threatens apple production across the Himalayan belt, with unexpected weather patterns affecting the high-quality Royal Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Kinnauri apple varieties that drive the region’s agricultural economy.

Key features of appleINSURE include:

• Automatic detection of weather events through IMD data sets
• Customizable parameters tailored to specific elevations and microclimates common in Himalayan growing regions
• Transparent pricing based on historical weather data for different valleys and districts
• Guaranteed payments within days of parameter verification, without waiting for the policy period to end
• No claims forms or difficult-to-arrange adjuster visits to remote orchards required
• On-the-ground support from FIL representatives and safeTree to assist farmers with enrollment and education

appleINSURE is now available to commercial apple growers across Jammu & Kashmir’s Shopian, Baramulla, and Kupwara districts, and Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla, Kullu, and Kinnaur districts and more.

Partners

About Riskwolf

Riskwolf specializes in innovative parametric insurance solutions that leverage data and technology to provide fast, reliable protection against specific risks. The company’s mission is to transform insurance through transparency, efficiency, and customer-focused innovation.

About HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company is one of India’s leading general insurance companies, offering a complete range of insurance products. The company combines the deep industry expertise of ERGO Group AG with the financial strength of HDFC Ltd to provide innovative insurance solutions to individuals, businesses, and corporations across India.

About FIL Industries Limited

FIL Industries Limited is a prominent agribusiness company with deep roots in India’s apple industry, particularly in the northern regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The company’s direct engagement with thousands of apple farmers across northern India has positioned them as a trusted partner in the region’s agricultural development, making them an ideal collaborator for the appleINSURE parametric insurance program.

About SafeTree Insurance Brokerage

SafeTree is a specialized insurance broker focused on providing innovative risk management solutions. As an insurance broker partner in the appleINSURE program, SafeTree plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between complex parametric insurance concepts and the practical needs of apple farmers in the Himalayan region, ensuring that coverage is properly structured and accessible even in remote growing areas.