Stay Informed

Indiana will soon be center stage for a total solar eclipse, a cosmic phenomenon that will take place on April 8, 2024. The Hoosier State is in the path of totality, where the face of the sun will be completely blocked by the moon. There are watch parties scheduled around the state, but many Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance clients have been individually contacted about allowing visitors to use their property as a watch site. 

Hosting a private party with friends and family is fine, but if you plan to take advantage of the entrepreneurial opportunity and charge people to watch the eclipse or stay on your property, it may increase your liability exposure. If you plan to do this, please reach out to your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent soon to discuss a “special event” policy through our in-house Rural Insurance Agency. Having additional insurance in place before your planned event is important. 

Even if you’re not charging a fee, if you are hosting an event that will include vendors, activities or attractions, or if you plan to sell or serve alcohol, you are increasing your liability. Work with your agent to see if you need additional coverage to protect yourself. If you don’t plan to host an event but will allow people on your property, you still are exposed to increased liability risk, and you should check with your agent to see if coverage is required. 

Prepare a safety plan. Ensure you have the resources for basic first aid. Communicate with local first responders if you're hosting the event in a large open field so that 911 operators and responders can pinpoint your location. 

Be aware of the weather. The National Centers for Environmental Information, a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has a cloudiness map at www.ncei.noaa.gov/news to help you track the likely viewability of the eclipse. Keep in mind that clouds and rain impact viewability. And remember, it will be spring in Indiana, so have a safety plan ready in case severe weather strikes. 

The partial eclipse will be visible in Indianapolis at about 1:30 p.m. and will last until almost 4:30 p.m. The total eclipse should occur at around 3:06 p.m. and will last less than 4 minutes. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources reports that there hasn’t been a total solar eclipse visible in Indiana since 1869, and the next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. isn’t until August 2044.