Guides &
Outfitters Overview
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Guides & Outfitters Q&A
Guides & Outfitters Policy Outline (PDF)
Guides & Outfitters
QUOTE Application
SCI GUIDES AND OUTFITTERS LIABILITY INSURANCE
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
1. Who is eligible?
This program is open to USA based guides and outfitters
who are members of their SCI affiliated state guides and outfitters
association, and who also are members of SCI.
All SCI guides and outfitters are eligible except for those who:
Conduct
unguided hunts;
Use three
wheel ATV’s;
Have more
than 15% of their operations from unguided drop camps;
Have more
than 25% of their operations from fishing activities that are separate
from, and not incidental to, hunting;
Have more
than 10% of their operations from boating activities that are separate
from, and not incidental to, hunting; or
Have more
15% of their business derived from activities other than hunting
(guiding and outfitting).
An activity is incidental to hunting if the activity is
an integral part of a hunt (e.g. such as using watercraft or horses to
transport hunters or gear), or if the activity is available as a means to
pass time during hunting breaks (e.g. fishing). One indicia of whether the
activity is incidental to hunting is whether the participant is billed
separately for the non-hunting activity.
2. What does this insurance cover?
This program provides general liability coverage for the
operations of guides and outfitters for third party bodily injury and
property damage claims arising out of your operations.
3. Who is covered by this insurance?
The certificate holder is provided coverage for bodily
injury and property damage claims brought against the named and additional
insureds by third parties (including customers and guests), arising out
of, and in the course of the named insured’s operations as a guide and
outfitter up to the limits of the policy.
4. What is the benefit of the SCI Member Benefit Guides and Outfitters
program?
The SCI policy has been written specifically for the
risks incurred by guides and outfitters. This policy uses standard
liability insurance forms, but also includes expanded coverage that your
local agent may not be able to provide, such as coverage for liability
arising out of the incidental use of watercraft and horses and it also
provides for as many standard land owner additional named insureds as you
are required to carry, at no additional charge to you. In addition, the
SCI policy is underwritten by one of the nation’s leading providers of
liability insurance for gun clubs and game preserves, assuring you that
the SCI insurance is among the most, if not the most, comprehensive and
appropriate coverage available for guides and outfitters at competitive
prices.
5. Who underwriters and administers the policy?
For many years Sportsman’s Insurance Agency has worked
with T.H.E. Insurance Company, Inc. as it’s agent to produce the master
policies for the SCI Gun and Trophy Floaters and Exhibitors Liability
Insurance. Lechner & Stauffer, acting as insurance advisors and brokers to
SCI, have successfully marketed the member benefit Trophy Floater, the
Exhibitors Liability and the Trip Interruption/Cancellation program.
The G&O liability insurance program is underwritten by T.H.E. Insurance of
Treasure Island FL, an A.M. Best “A- VII” rated company. T.H.E.
specializes in unusual risks. They have underwritten SCI’s gun insurance,
trophy insurance and convention exhibitors’ liability insurance programs
for the past seven years.
6. How much coverage is available?
The basic policy limits are $1 million per occurrence,
with additional layers of insurance available in $1 million increments up
to a total of $10 million of coverage for an additional premium. The
Products and Completed Operations aggregate limit is $1 million. The
General Aggregate Limit (the most the policy will pay during the policy
period) other than Products and Completed Operations is unlimited. The
policy has no deductible.
7. How are premiums calculated?
The premiums are based on the revenues of your guide and
outfitter business. Rates may vary for different classifications of
business. The minimum premium based on gross receipts of under $25,000
with more than three years in business is $550. Guides with less than
three years in business incur a surcharge of $275 in addition to their
premium.
8. How do I add additional named insureds to my policy?
There is no cost to add additional named insured land
owners to your policy if you are required by them to do so. These might
include the federal government, state government, and private land owners.
You can list them on your application and they will be added to your
certificate of insurance. The insurance company strongly suggests that you
review your leases and contracts very carefully and that you not list any
additional named insureds unless you are required to do so. If any lease
agreement or contract refers to hold harmless agreements and or
indemnification agreements, then we require that a copy of that contract
or lease be submitted for underwriter approval. There is no coverage for
contracts and leases that are not submitted and approved.
9. Do I have host liquor liability coverage?
If you do not sell alcohol and do not have a license to
sell alcohol but you provide it to your customers after hunting
activities, coverage is included under the host liquor section of the
general liability policy.
10. Am I covered for the food I serve my customers?
In the event that a customer suffers food poisoning as a
result of eating food that you supply as part of your services coverage is
provided within your policy limits. You are required to provide proper
food storage and to use proper food handling procedures.
11. If I lease a ranch or other property to use for hunting, what
coverage do I have?
Liability coverage follows you wherever your hunting
business takes you, whether it is your property, leased property or public
land. The policy does not include coverage for damage to buildings and
property that you either lease or own. You should obtain these coverages
from your local agent.
12. Am I covered if I supply horses and or mules for my customers to
use while hunting?
The policy includes coverage arising out of the use of
horses and mules in your guiding and outfitting business up to the policy
limits. This policy does not include any animal mortality coverage.
13. I use boats to transport my hunters and to carry equipment and
food. Am I eligible for this program?
Boats that are used as a part of your guiding and
hunting activities are covered and do not count against the 10% limit on
revenues from the use of boats unless you charge separately for this
service. The 10% limit on revenues from activities involving boats is
intended to address activities such as the rental of boats for float trips
and other similar uses that are not a part of your guiding and hunting
business. There is no liability coverage for boats that are longer than
26’.
14. My hunting customers have the opportunity to fish during hunting
breaks or at the end of a hunt if they have extra time before they depart.
Am I eligible for coverage?
The restriction on revenues from fishing operations
applies to revenues derived directly from fishing activities that are
billed to your customer as a separate activity. If your hunting customers
are permitted to fish during their hunt and you do not charge separately
for this activity (i.e. an incidental activity), then the fishing does not
count against the 15% limit on revenues from fishing and other non-guiding
and outfitting business.
15. What is the restriction on the use of unguided drop camps?
If your business derives less than 15% of your gross annual receipts from
this activity, you are eligible for the program and coverage is provided
up to the policy limits.
16. If my guides are independent contractors, are they covered under
this policy?
There is no coverage for your independent contractor
guides. You are covered by the G & O liability policy for your liability
from actions of the independent guides, provided that they are acting
under your direction and supervision. Your independent contractor guides
should have their own insurance and should name you as an additional named
insured. You should require them to provide you with these certificates
and keep them on file at all times.
17. Is my insurance still valid if I take my customers into Canada or
Mexico?
Your business must be domiciled in the USA, but your
policy is still valid for incidental activities in Canada. The policy is
not valid for any activities in Mexico.
18. Does this policy provide my business with any insurance other than
liability coverage?
No, this is liability coverage only. There are other
types of insurance that are applicable to your business, some of which may
be required by law. Some of these are worker’s compensation, automobile
liability, coverage for buildings from fire and other perils, etc. We
recommend that you contact your local agent for information on other
valuable coverages appropriate for your business. We would again like to
remind you that if you rent or lease buildings or structures such as a
lodge, you should be sure that the owner has appropriate property
insurance or, in the alternative, insure these properties yourself while
you are using them.
19. Does this policy provide liability coverage for my off road
vehicles such as ATV’s, and snowmobiles?
There is no liability coverage present for licensed
vehicles used in the course of your business. We recommend that you check
with your state regarding its financial responsibility laws. States differ
in the types of vehicles that are required to be insured under an
automobile policy. Customers who bring their own ATV’s and snowmobiles
must provide you with a copy of their insurance.
20. What other insurance programs does SCI endorse?
SCI endorsed insurance programs include:
Disclaimer:
These questions and answers are provided in order to help guides and
outfitters to better understand liability insurance and the specifics of
the SCI policy. These Questions and Answers are not a part of your
insurance policy, and do not have the power to modify your insurance
policy. In the event that the actual policy forms are inconsistent with
these Questions and Answers, then the language of the policy forms shall
govern.
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