Financial protection against WSSV disease, cyclone, flood, and water quality disasters — for vannamei and tiger prawn ponds across India's coast. A high-value, high-risk enterprise deserves serious protection. the insurer rural product — PMMSY premium subsidy up to 75% eligible.
Rural Insurance
Aquaculture (Shrimp/Prawn) Insurance is a specialised rural insurance product by Probitas Insurance Brokers Ltd. (the insurer) that provides financial protection to shrimp and prawn farmers against mass mortality loss of their crop in brackish water / coastal ponds due to disease, natural disasters, and water quality events. India is the world's second-largest shrimp exporter — concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. A single WSSV outbreak or cyclone can destroy a pond worth ₹5–₹15 lakh in 24–48 hours. PMMSY premium subsidies of 40%–75% are available. Probitas Insurance Brokers Pvt. Ltd. (IRDAI Lic. No. 528) is your licensed broker.
L. vannamei — White Leg Shrimp, 60–90 day crop, dominant in Indian ponds
P. monodon — Black Tiger Prawn, 120–180 days, higher market value
Coastal / estuarine ponds — mixed salt & fresh water, ideal for shrimp
Specific Pathogen Free post-larvae from MPEDA / CAA approved hatcheries — mandatory
Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and NFDB Blue Revolution, shrimp farmers can avail structured premium subsidies — the government's share is paid directly to the insurer; the insured pays only the balance.
| Farmer Category | Govt. Pays | You Pay | Example (₹10,000 premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Farmers | 40% | 60% | ₹ 4,000 govt. / ₹ 6,000 you |
| SC / ST / Women Farmers | 60% | 40% | ₹ 6,000 govt. / ₹ 4,000 you |
| NFDB Blue Revolution Beneficiaries | 75% | 25% | ₹ 7,500 govt. / ₹ 2,500 you |
Who Can Apply
Method 1: No. of PL stocked × Avg. weight per shrimp at expected harvest (kg) × Market price per kg agreed at inception
Example (1 ha vannamei pond):
5,00,000 PL × 0.012 kg × ₹350/kg = Sum Insured ₹21,00,000
Method 2: Total expected biomass (kg) at harvest × Market price per kg agreed at inception
Policy period = one crop cycle (60–120 days vannamei / 120–180 days tiger prawn)
Only Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) post-larvae from MPEDA / CAA approved hatcheries are eligible for insurance cover. The stocking certificate confirming SPF status and the PCR test report at stocking are mandatory for claim settlement. Using non-SPF seed or uncertified hatchery seed voids the policy entirely. Always retain stocking documents from day one.
The shrimp farm must hold a valid Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) registration / licence. Unlicensed coastal shrimp farms are not eligible for insurance. Ensure your CAA licence is current before applying for this policy. Contact Probitas on 022 4302 0000 if you need guidance on licensing requirements.
Actual stocking density must not exceed the density approved at policy inception as per MPEDA / Aquaculture Authority norms. Overcrowding (exceeding approved stocking density) voids or proportionally reduces disease-related claims. A stress-weakened, overcrowded pond is also far more susceptible to WSSV — always stock within approved limits.
Plan Comparison
Compare coverage across Basic Disease+Disaster, Comprehensive, and PMMSY Government Subsidised plans under the insurer Aquaculture (Shrimp/Prawn) Insurance.
| Points of Difference | Basic Disease + Disaster | Comprehensive | PMMSY Govt. Subsidised |
|---|---|---|---|
| WSSV (White Spot Syndrome Virus) | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| EMS / AHPND | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| IHHNV and other notified shrimp diseases | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Cyclone, Typhoon, Storm Surge, Flood, Inundation | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Hailstorm, Lightning, Earthquake, Landslide | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Officially Declared Drought — salinity/temp stress | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Sudden DO crash / acute water quality event | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| Third-party External Pollution | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes* |
| Toxic Algal Bloom (certified) | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes |
| PMMSY Premium Subsidy 40% (General) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes |
| PMMSY Subsidy 60% (SC/ST/Women) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes |
| NFDB Subsidy 75% (Blue Revolution) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes |
| Nil / Reduced Deductible | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Eligible |
| Standard Deductible | 5%–10% of SI | 5%–10% of SI | Nil or Reduced |
| PCR Test Required for Disease Claims | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| 24-Hr Notification Required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Premium Level | Base | Higher | Subsidised (pay 25%–60%) |
* Third-party pollution coverage under PMMSY subsidised plan subject to state scheme design — confirm with Probitas at 022 4302 0000.
Coverage Under Shrimp/Prawn Insurance
Two main categories of coverage — disease-related mortality (requiring PCR test confirmation) and natural disaster mortality (requiring Fisheries Dept. inspection). Both require notification within 24 hours — shorter than any other rural insurance product due to the rapid progression of WSSV.
Shrimp insurance requires notification within 24 hours of first observing mass mortality or disease symptoms — significantly stricter than the 48-hour window for other rural products. WSSV progresses from first visible symptoms to 100% pond mortality in as little as 3–5 days. Call Probitas immediately on 022 4302 0000. Do NOT remove dead shrimp, lime the pond, or apply any disinfectant or chemical before the inspector visits — doing so voids the claim entirely.
Unlike natural disaster claims, all disease-related shrimp mortality claims require laboratory confirmation by PCR test from a MPEDA / Fisheries Department approved laboratory. Visual observation of white spots or dead shrimp alone is not accepted. The insured (or the Fisheries Dept. inspector) must collect live / dying shrimp samples for PCR testing immediately. A negative PCR result or delayed testing may result in claim rejection.
After WSSV or any disease outbreak, the farmer's instinct is to immediately lime the pond, apply disinfectants, or siphon dead shrimp to prevent disease spread. All these actions void the insurance claim if done before the authorised inspector / loss assessor visits and certifies the mortality. Take photographs and video immediately — but wait for inspector clearance before any pond remediation.
How Claims Are Calculated
Claim = (No. of PL stocked × Avg. weight per shrimp kg × Market price per kg at inception × % mortality certified) − Deductible
OR: (Biomass lost kg × Market price per kg agreed at inception × % mortality) − Deductible
% mortality is determined exclusively by the authorised Fisheries Department / lab inspector.
Standard deductible: 5%–10% of sum insured per crop cycle (as per policy schedule at inception). For PMMSY / NFDB scheme beneficiaries, the deductible may be nil or significantly reduced. Confirm with Probitas at inception — 022 4302 0000.
To avoid disputes at claim time, the market price per kg of shrimp is agreed at policy inception and stated in the policy schedule. This rate is used for all claims — actual market price at time of loss is not used. Choose a realistic, verifiable prevailing market price. Tiger prawn prices (₹500–₹700/kg) are significantly higher than vannamei (₹300–₹400/kg) — declare accurately per species.
If actual stocking density exceeds the density declared at inception, claims are reduced proportionally — the same principle as the Average Clause. Overcrowding also increases WSSV susceptibility dramatically. MPEDA norms: Vannamei ≤ 30 PL/m² for standard, ≤ 60 PL/m² for intensive systems. Always stock within declared limits.
| Parameter | WSSV — 100% Loss (1 ha Vannamei) | Cyclone / Flood — 60% Mortality | EMS / AHPND — 80% Tiger Prawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Vannamei (L. vannamei) | Vannamei (L. vannamei) | Tiger Prawn (P. monodon) |
| PL Stocked / Biomass | 5,00,000 PL | 5,00,000 PL | 3,000 kg biomass |
| Avg. Weight / Biomass at Loss | 12 g = 0.012 kg → 6,000 kg | 12 g = 0.012 kg → 6,000 kg | 3,000 kg (tiger prawn, 30g) |
| Market Price per kg (agreed) | ₹ 350 / kg | ₹ 350 / kg | ₹ 600 / kg |
| Sum Insured | ₹ 21,00,000 | ₹ 21,00,000 | ₹ 18,00,000 |
| % Mortality Certified | 100% | 60% (Fisheries Dept. certified) | 80% |
| Gross Claim | ₹ 21,00,000 | ₹ 12,60,000 | ₹ 14,40,000 |
| Deductible (5% of SI) | ₹ 1,05,000 | ₹ 63,000 | ₹ 72,000 |
| Claim Payable | ₹ 19,95,000 | ₹ 11,97,000 | ₹ 13,68,000 |
* Illustrative only. These are the highest-value claim scenarios in our entire rural insurance range. Actual settlement depends on Fisheries Dept. / PCR lab certified % mortality, market price agreed at inception, and policy schedule terms. All disease claims subject to PCR test confirmation.
Policy Conditions
The following 12 conditions are binding under the the insurer Aquaculture (Shrimp/Prawn) Insurance Policy. Non-compliance — especially around SPF seed, 24-hour notification, and pre-inspection pond treatment — will result in claim rejection.
SPF Seed Mandatory: Only SPF post-larvae from MPEDA / CAA approved hatcheries are eligible. Stocking certificate with PCR test report at stocking is mandatory for all claims. Non-SPF seed voids the policy entirely.
CAA / MPEDA Licence: The shrimp farm must hold a valid Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) licence / registration. Unlicensed farms are not eligible for this policy.
Declaration at Inception: Pond area (ha), GPS / survey number, species, stocking density (PL/m²), stocking date, expected harvest date, and market price per kg must all be accurately declared.
Notification within 24 HOURS: Farmer must notify Probitas (022 4302 0000) and the insurer within 24 hours of first observing mass mortality symptoms. This is stricter than other rural policies due to the rapid progression of WSSV.
Do NOT Destroy Crop Before Inspection: Dead / dying shrimp must NOT be removed, siphoned out, or pond treated with disinfectants / lime before the authorised inspector visits. Pre-inspection pond remediation voids the claim.
PCR Test Mandatory for Disease Claims: All disease-related mortality claims (WSSV, EMS, IHHNV) require PCR test confirmation from a MPEDA / Fisheries Dept. approved laboratory. Visual observation alone is not accepted.
Stocking Density Limit: Actual stocking must not exceed the density approved at policy inception. Overcrowding voids or proportionally reduces disease-related claims — and dramatically increases WSSV susceptibility.
Pond Monitoring Records: Insured must maintain pond management logs (DO, pH, salinity, temperature, ammonia, TAN) and feeding records throughout the crop cycle. Absence of records may prejudice claim settlement.
Multiple Ponds: Each grow-out pond is a separate policy unit. A single policy cannot cover multiple ponds — a separate proposal is required for each pond.
Policy Period = Crop Cycle: Policy covers the declared crop cycle (PL stocking to harvest). A fresh policy is required for each new crop. Continuous automatic renewal is not available.
Government Subsidy: For subsidised policies, the insured's balance premium must be paid before cover commences. Non-payment of balance premium voids cover for that crop cycle.
Subrogation: On settlement of any claim (including third-party pollution claims), all rights of recovery against the responsible party automatically transfer to the insurer.
How to File a Claim
Shrimp disease claims have unique requirements — PCR test confirmation AND Fisheries Dept. inspection are both needed. The 24-hour notification window is CRITICAL. Probitas assists at every stage — call 022 4302 0000 immediately.
Call Probitas immediately on 022 4302 0000 — within 24 hours of first observing mass mortality / disease symptoms. Do NOT remove dead shrimp, lime the pond, or apply disinfectants. Photograph / video the pond and dead shrimp immediately.
For disease claims: collect live/dying shrimp for PCR testing at a MPEDA / approved laboratory. Fisheries Dept. inspector visits the pond to assess % mortality. For natural disaster claims: Fisheries Dept. inspector certifies pond damage and % mortality.
Submit: Claim Form, Policy doc, Stocking certificate (SPF + PCR at stocking), PCR test report (disease claims), Fisheries Dept. inspection report, pond management logs, photographs / video of dead shrimp, CAA / MPEDA licence copy, FIR (if pollution), bank details.
Claim = (Biomass lost kg × Market price/kg at inception × % certified mortality) − Deductible. Standard deductible: 5%–10% of SI. PMMSY: nil / reduced deductible. Payment by NEFT within 30 days of complete documentation per IRDAI TAT norms.
Common Questions about Shrimp/Prawn Insurance
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