How to insure your hunting club

by Pathlie Lee Business consultant

If you’re the owner or operator of a hunting club, you probably already understand that insuring your club against the many potential risks of the sport is critically important. However, how to find and select the right coverage for your club isn’t something that everyone knows when they first start out. Frankly, many operators don’t understand it well into their management career!

 

Here, we examine the things to consider when looking for hunting insurance for your club and how to get the coverage you need.

 

What Coverage Do I Need?

 

This is the most common question for first-time club operators. Determining exactly what your property or club needs will depend largely on what your individual specifications are, such as property size, terrain, number and type of hunters you generally see, what type of game is being hunted and much more. However, most hunting insurance providers will recommend the following as a general rule:

 

●        $1 million general liability insurance per occurrence

●        $2 million aggregate coverage

●        Limited medical expenses coverage, typically $5,000 per occurrence

●        $100,000 fire liability coverage

●        Guest liability coverage

●        Member-to-member coverage

●        Liability insurance for all firearms and other weapons, vehicles used on the premises, tree stands, and other hunting accessories or equipment, and any other property involved in the hunting process

 

Understanding Fees and Exclusions

 

When determining the cost of your coverage, it is important to take any additional fees or exclusions to coverage into account. Exclusions mean additional coverage will be needed to ensure safety in the event of certain occurrences. Fees mean additional costs, sometimes for no additional coverage. Inquire with your property owner or club owner about any specifics and choose to partner with an owner that minimizes these fees. Also look for the most complete packages offered by local hunting insurance providers that are still within your groups’ budget to ensure you’re getting everything you need.

 

Minimizing Risks to Reduce Costs

 

While it may seem that you are stuck paying insurance premiums and getting whatever coverage you’re given, there are definitely ways to maximize that coverage while reducing the amount you have to pay. The best way to do this is to keep your risks low for as long as possible and minimize the number of claims you need to make.

 

How can you minimize risks in one of the riskiest hobbies of all time? It’s all about taking extra precautions and “knowing before you go”. Some examples include:

 

●        Properly marking all areas where firearms will be used, from opening hunting grounds to shooting ranges.

●        Ensuring all guests are wearing the proper safety attire and introducing fines to those who are not to encourage adequate protection.

●        Clear posting of emergency numbers and procedures in all relevant areas.

●        Keeping fire safety gear and detectors in all structures.

●        Providing or mandating hunting and fire safety courses for all participants or members annually.

●        Regular checks and reinforcement of older structures, such as tree stands.

●        Enforcement of safety procedures throughout the property.

●        Clear marking of property limits, so hunters and other members understand how to stay on your designated property.

 

All of these are great ways to keep your rates low and your coverage complete – so you can continue to enjoy your favorite pastime safely.

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Created on Dec 10th 2018 11:24. Viewed 356 times.

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