Geo Underwriting Partners with Merit Advantage to Boost Agricultural Risk Management
Geo Underwriting has entered into a partnership with Merit Advantage to offer agricultural clients a discount on a digital risk management platform. The partnership aims to help farmers and estate managers better manage their assets and reduce administrative burdens.
Under the partnership, farmers and estate managers who take out a Geo agriculture policy through a broker will be eligible for a 5% discount on a subscription to the Merit Advantage app. The app assigns a QR code to each asset on a farm or estate, including machinery, buildings, fuel tanks, and tools. This allows users to scan equipment, log maintenance checks, and access inspection records digitally.
The platform replaces paper documentation with a digital system that supports routine safety checks, records servicing history, and flags outstanding issues. Subscriptions include access to both the Merit Advantage and MeritAgCheck platforms, which support health and safety management, risk and fire assessments, contractor oversight, and compliance with COSHH regulations. Additional features include digital farm mapping that identifies hazard areas, removing the need for physical maps.
Some users have already reported operational efficiencies. Bruce Terris of the Altyre Estate in Scotland reported that the app saved the estate between 10 and 12 days of management time per year. Merit Advantage developed the app in consultation with the farming community, focusing on automating routine processes and reducing administrative work.
The partnership between Geo Underwriting and Merit Advantage comes as underwriters across the sector look to differentiate their offerings by providing tools that go beyond traditional insurance cover. With many farms under pressure from regulatory change, environmental risks, and economic uncertainty, insurers are increasingly aligning products with practical support services. This includes risk management platforms, compliance tools, and operational advice, often delivered through broker partnerships or offered at a discount to policyholders.
Geo Underwriting, with staff experienced in the farming sector, aims to help customers manage risk more effectively while supporting day-to-day operations through this partnership. The Merit Advantage platform currently supports over 6,500 users and more than £1 billion in assets.
