Insurance
Options
As
a landowner, it’s desirable to seek liability
coverage for hunting activities that will occur on your
land. In many states, hunting lease activities
are covered under a supplement or endorsement to your
general liability policy. Check for coverage under
your general farm insurance policy or other appropriate
insurance policy for this coverage. Read your insurance
policy carefully and engage in dialogue with your insurance
broker. Check with an attorney to discuss insurance
options that are appropriate for your circumstances.
- Hunting leases are sometimes covered as an “incidental
business pursuit,” but ask if this is tied to
gross receipts for the activity. Gross receipts
may be limited to an amount, and therefore additional
coverage may be necessary.
- Some policies may have exclusions from coverage for
certain types of injuries occurring on your property,
and may include common hunting injuries (e.g., falling
from a tree stand).
- Alternatively, you may need to upgrade your existing
policy, develop an umbrella policy, seek endorsements
for recreational activities, or seek supplements from
a specialized insurance broker or agent.
- A less desirable option is to self-insure by setting
aside monies to cover any loss which may occur on your
property. However, due to the potential for high
jury awards should an accident occur and the landowner
is found liable, self-insurance is normally not a desirable
route.
- Another choice, used in conjunction with carrying
your own insurance, is for the hunter to furnish his
or her own liability coverage. This choice particularly
applies to hunting clubs. A hunting club may
be able to purchase insurance customized only for the
time they use your property.
- Another option, particularly for hunting clubs or
groups is to have the club or group purchase the liability
insurance adding the landowner’s name to the
policy and providing them a copy of the policy as proof
of purchase.
Following are some “common-sense” measures
for your hunting lease.
- Get and keep a copy of the hunter’s insurance
policy and make sure it has not expired from lack of
payment.
- Read the policy and make sure it covers the activities
contemplated by the lease, including maintenance and
wildlife management practices.
- Check that the policy is with a reputable firm and
financially solvent insurance company.
- Make sure you are named as the insured, and that
the policy specifically identifies the land where the
hunting will take place.
- Make sure the hunters and other users follow the
terms, conditions, and provisions of the policy.
- Be sure that the policy indemnifies you if a judgment
is obtained against you and covers your legal fees
and expenses if you are sued.
- Make sure the hunters and other users confine their
activities to the location specified in the policy.
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