Insurance for Winter Operations
As winter gets closer on the calendar, it is time to think about insurance for winter operations. Insurance for winter operations covers insureds like skiing and snowboarding instructors, rentals, and resorts, snowmobile rentals and those who rent snowmobiles, tubing companies, and other outdoor recreational rentals and businesses.
Winter itself brings risk. Cold weather, slippery surfaces, and icy conditions make operations a bit more dangerous than they would be in summer. And activities like snowmobiling, skiing, and snowboarding are risky too, with a higher potential for injury or damage to property. According to the SnowSport Safety Foundation, “During one hour on the slopes and trails of California ski areas there is five times or greater risk of death than during one hour behind the wheel of an automobile and 15 times or greater risk of injury.”
Put together, these risk factors make insurance for winter operations very important for your clients and their ability to operate successfully. Some individuals participating in winter operations will purchase their own extra coverage for medical purposes. Even knowing that, it is important to have coverage on the operations side, too.
Options for Insurance for Winter Operations
Just because people participating in winter operations arguably understand the inherent risk involved, it does not mean that operators should skip out on appropriate coverage. Even with a waiver signed, operators still have a responsibility to do things safely and avoid operator negligence. If your clients think their customers have voluntarily assumed risk, let them know that they would have to show a few key things in a lawsuit:
- that the injured or damaged party gave up their right to litigate with a full understanding of the nature and extent of the risk, and
- that they agreed to absolve the operator of any liability.
General liability insurance is important for businesses of any kind. This coverage protects against risks like bodily injury, property damage, medical payments, and legal costs. For winter operators, this insurance would be valuable in a situation like a ski lift malfunctioning and injuring a guest, or if an employee accidentally damages a snowmobiler’s property. That being said, insurance for winter operations can be specialized beyond general commercial liability. It is a good idea for your clients to have general liability coverage, but it may not be enough.
Property insurance works to protect your clients’ equipment, supplies, and property. Whether it is a natural disaster, theft, or some other problem impacting the business property, commercial property insurance pays for any arising issues. Business interruption insurance can also be valuable, protecting winter operators from the financial implications of a temporary, unavoidable closure.
If your winter operator clients use commercial vehicles in any manner — to transport guests or equipment, for example – commercial auto insurance protects the vehicle, the driver, and any other vehicles and drivers involved in an accident or incident.
Professional liability insurance is key for winter operators who are guiding or teaching guests. If something goes wrong during a lesson or trip, professionals are often the first people on the hook for damages. This type of coverage can help with legal costs.
On top of all these options, commercial umbrella insurance exists to extend coverage and fill in gaps for winter operators. It goes to show how flexible insurance for winter operators can be, to adequately meet your clients’ needs and provide coverage to protect their businesses.
Securing Insurance for Winter Operations
Prime Insurance Company has a long-standing history of matching the best insurance coverage to producers, like you, who are working to help clients. We have experience with specialty risks, including securing insurance for winter operators who have been turned away in the past. We recognize the risks in sports, recreation, and winter weather, and will assist in risk management and mitigation using our knowledge.
With Prime Insurance Company as your partner, you will be able to write more business when you offer insurance for winter operations. We pride ourselves on our ability to handle any claims that may arise quickly and fairly, giving you the opportunity to work just as fast to keep your clients in the loop and satisfied with the results.
Winter operations can be risky, but they can also be a lot of fun, and lucrative for operators. Insurance protects and lets businesses thrive, even through various forms of risk.
Prime Insurance Company is pleased to offer insurance for winter operations to help you write more business and keep your clients fully insured. Contact us online, call 800-257-5590, or email us at info@primeis.com. You can also stay in touch with us via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, CEO, President, and Chairman of Prime Insurance Company
Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. Prime Insurance also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are Prime Insurance can help.
