How to Insure Your Hunting Club

by Judi Booker Online Researcher

As you focus on establishing a new or even expanding an existing hunting club, you should also think about investing in hunting insurance. How, though, can you go about doing this? What steps will you need to take to accomplish this particular goal?
Focus on the Need for Coverage
Before you dive into selecting specific insurance carriers for your coverage, you need to first identify the specific coverage needs that you must satisfy. In most cases, it is highly recommended to invest in an insurance package that provides a minimum of $1 million per qualifying occurrence for general liability coverage. To further complement that general coverage, you should also invest in $2 million in general aggregate along with a minimum of $100,000 in fire legal liability. There are also additional features that you can add to your coverage package – such as guest liability coverage, member-to-member coverage and liability coverage for additional equipment and goods (such as firearms, limited watercraft, tree stands and ATVs.)
Pay Attention to the Fine Print
In addition to identifying your specific coverage needs, you should also analyze the fine print and exclusions associated with your hunting insurance policy. In most cases, a competitively priced premium (especially one that seems “too good to be true”) may come with an extensive list of exclusions that may go overlooked until it is time for you to file a claim and find out the hard way. Therefore, before you sign the dotted line to finalize any policy purchase, make sure that you study the exclusions and other applicable fine print carefully to ensure you know exactly what you are getting from the proposed coverage and (more importantly) what you are not getting.
Calculate the Costs, Budget Accordingly
The expenses associated with your insurance policy to cover your hunting club can quickly add up as well, which is why you should pay close attention to those costs and calculate your budget accordingly from the very beginning. Keep in mind that there is not a “one size fits all” when it comes to standardized pricing throughout the industry. The prices that you pay with one carrier will vary from the prices that you will pay with another carrier. It primarily depends on the underwriting department and how much they choose to analyze and examine your specific insurance needs and associated risks. In most cases, the annual cost for hunting insurance policies can range between $200 and $360 per year. However, depending on your specific list of associated risks, you may have to pay considerably more (or less) which is why it is important for you to shop around to get the best deal.
Keep An Eye on Your Liability Risks
Even after you have secured an insurance policy for your hunting club, you need to continue keeping a close eye on your liability risks. For instance, take the necessary steps to ensure that all aspects of your property are kept safe at all times. The last thing that you want is for one of your employees or longtime customers to become seriously injured due to a liability risk that you could have prevented and protected them from in advance.