Cattle Mortality Insurance
One of the largest Cattle Mortality Insurance Agencies in the Country
Whether it's a $200,000 bull or a bred heifer you raised from a calf, cattle mortality insurance gives you a financial backstop when the worst happens. Thirty years of specialty underwriting, one phone call away.
About Us
A 30-year handshake.
Now in a second set of hands.
For over two decades, Jim Bessler insured elite cattle across every major breed in the country, building one of the most respected livestock mortality books in the industry. When he retired in July 2026, he chose his successor carefully: Ben Ballou, raised in a livestock family, experienced in livestock mortality and agricultural insurance, and based in the heart of Tennessee purebred country. Jim isn't just handing over a book of business - he's working alongside Ben through the transition, personally introducing him to the clients and cattle operations he's served for twenty years.
A letter from Jim Bessler +
I have an announcement that has been difficult to make. The highlight of my career in the purebred cattle industry and the livestock mortality insurance business has been the great people whom I have served. It has been a tremendous opportunity to insure cattle and elite individuals within all the major breeds of cattle. It has been an unbelievable experience for someone who grew up in a small farming community in central Illinois, and I have enjoyed it immensely. However, for personal reasons, I have retired effective July 1, 2026.
Fortunately, I have met an individual from a livestock family who has had several years of experience in the livestock mortality industry as well as other agriculture-related insurance experience. Effective July 1, 2026, Ben Ballou of B Flat Livestock Insurance LLC has acquired the James F. Bessler LLC livestock mortality book of business. Ben Ballou is located in a strong purebred livestock area in the state of Tennessee. I will be working with Ben for the next six to twelve months to assure a smooth transition, and to assist him in getting to know all of our clients and their cattle operations. I am confident that Ben's unique background and experiences will allow him to maintain the strong nationwide book of business we have serviced, and allow him to expand the business in new areas.
I can still be reached on my cell phone if I can answer questions. Our office number began ringing in Ben's office on July 1st, so do not hesitate to contact him. I know he is anxious to meet and work with all of you. Most of all, I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has allowed us the opportunity to insure their cattle over the past two decades.
"I am confident that Ben's unique background and experiences will allow him to maintain the strong nationwide book of business we have serviced, and allow him to expand the business in new areas."
All Risk Mortality
Covers death from any cause not specifically excluded, including accident, injury, illness, disease, and weather. The broadest protection available for high-value animals, with limited theft and unlawful removal included.
- Limits up to $250,000 per animal
- Agreed value, standard coverage with no deductible
- Endorsements: bull permanent infertility, frozen semen & embryo storage and transit, automatic additions
- Built for purebred and seedstock cattle, show animals, donors, and bucking bulls
Specified Perils
Named-peril coverage for confinement, feedlot, and pasture cattle, whether owned or in your care, custody, and control. Lower cost than ARM, built for volume operations.
- Limits up to $10,000,000 per occurrence
- Covers fire, lightning, windstorm, blizzard smothering, flood, electrocution, predator attack, vehicle collision, and more
- Extensions: transit, newly acquired livestock, carcass removal
- Built for feedlots, backgrounders, dairies, and cow-calf producers
Coverage
Two policies. Every cattle operation.
Coverage matched to how you actually run your business: individual high-value animals or the whole herd.
More products on the way. Equine mortality and farm & ranch coverage are coming soon. Need one of them now? Call us, we can likely help today.
What We Cover
Every type of cattle operation.
Bulls
Breeding, show, and bucking bulls - ARM up to $250K per head.
Donor Cattle
Donor cows, embryo recipients, and elite genetics.
Show Cattle
Steers and heifers for junior and open shows.
Feedlot & Pasture
Blanket Specified Perils for feedlots, backgrounders, and cow-calf herds.
How It Works
Application to bound coverage, fast.
Routine policies typically bind in less than 24 hours.
Call or request a quote
Three minutes on the phone or through the form below. We can take an application while you're standing at the sale.
Underwriting review
Animal ID, value documentation, and health records reviewed against program parameters. Most files clear same day.
Binder issued
Coverage is effective the moment the binder is issued in writing, often within hours on auction-day applications.
FAQ
Straight answers to common questions.
Don't see yours? Call us.
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Immediately. We can issue a binder the same day you buy at auction. Call us from the sale ring and we'll get it started while the animal is still on the grounds.
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All Risk Mortality limits go up to $250,000 per animal for cattle. Herd policies under Specified Perils carry limits up to $10,000,000 per occurrence. Higher limits are sometimes available - call us to discuss.
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Not always. Lower-value animals typically bind on a health warranty declaration. Higher-value animals may require a veterinary certificate of health. We'll tell you exactly what's needed before you apply.
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You're covered from the time the binder is issued, and transit coverage is available. Document the loss with your vet and call us as soon as you discover it.
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Yes - Specified Perils blanket coverage is designed for exactly that, including cattle in your care, custody, and control that you don't own.
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We work nationwide.
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Jim retired and handed the agency to Ben Ballou, who operates it as B Flat Insurance. All existing policies are honored without change, and new policies are written through the same carrier relationships.
Contact Us
Talk to someone who knows cattle.
You get an agent who has spent his life around cattle and a decade underwriting them.