Whether you provide guide and outfitter services for a few hours or for an overnight trip, you want to make sure all your guests, guides, horses and assets are protected.
Guides and outfitters services may include:
- Riding animals
- Pack animals and tack
- Camping and/or other recreation gear and equipment
- Food for guests
- Operators and guides
What you’ll discover in this report:
- The risk level of running a guide and outfitter operation
- Common claims involving guides and outfitters
- How to plan ahead
- Coverage offered by a commercial general liability policy
- Other types of insurance to consider
What’s the Risk Level of Running Guide and Outfitter Operations?
There’s a high risk level when you have guests in the wilderness around animals for long periods of time. You can’t always supervise all your guests, some of whom may have little or no experience with horses.
Accidents happen, and you’re often in remote areas where it’s more difficult to treat injuries.
Top Claims Involving Guide and Outfitters
Some of the most common claims involving guides and outfitters include:
- Injuries while guests ride a horse or mule, caused by a fall, jump or bad weather
- Bystanders injured by a passing pack train
- Property damage by loose animals
- Non-owned supplies are lost or damaged during transport
How To Plan Ahead
We know you care about the horses and the people you lead. Below are steps you can take to protect yourself against potential accidents.
Enforce barn rules
Develop rules for your environment for both horses and people. Train staff members so they understand rules and procedures. Document procedures.
Plan for emergencies
Emergencies happen. But the more prepared you are, the better chance you have of providing proper care to your horses. Preparation can minimize the severity of any accident.
Develop semi-annual inspections of your property
By inspecting your premises for potential hazards, you can take care of them before an incident occurs.
Prepare a written waiver and review your province’s Occupiers’ Liability Act
Your province's Occupiers’ Liability Act could state that the stable owner/operator owes a duty of care to the people who enter their premises, which assures that any property they bring on your premises is also reasonably safe.
Anyone who participates in horse activities on your premises needs to complete and sign your province’s waiver, if applicable. Make sure to keep signed forms on file and safely stored. You are free to restrict, modify or exclude this duty of care through your written waiver.
Follow Provincial Safety Regulations
Check your provincial safety regulations regarding helmet use for minors and if helmets need to meet certain criteria, such as ASTM, BSI or European Safety Standards. Footwear is also often regulated (i.e. hard-soled footwear with a heel of no less than 1.5 centimeters).
Purchase an equine specific liability insurance policy
Protect you and your business with an insurance company that knows horses and your business. You want to make sure that any legal feels are covered, claim costs and settlements to ensure that in the case of an accident, your business doesn’t suffer a financial loss.
What’s Included in the Commercial General Liability Policy?
A commercial general liability policy responds to offer coverage for:
- Lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage caused by conducting your business operations
- Legal defense costs: You can save your business the financial burden of court costs if you’re sued, whether or not the case has merit.
- Claims or settlement costs: Without this policy, the business could be held responsible for bodily injury and property damage claims.
Get Guides and Outfitters Insurance Today
At Henry Equestrian, Powered by NFP, we understand horses and we want to make sure you, your guests, guides and outfitters are protected. Contact us today to learn more or click below for a free, no-obligation quote.