Campground Business Insurance
Every campground needs insurance. Knowing which type of insurance you need and the best place to get it is the next step.
This article will cover the main types of business insurance and help you find the best campground business insurance.
Recommended: Next Insurance is dedicated to matching small businesses with the right policy at the best price.
Best Insurance for a Campground
The most common and comprehensive type of campground business insurance is general liability insurance. We recommend general liability insurance as your first line of defense against a variety of the most general and commonly occurring claims.
Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Medical payments
- Legal defense and judgment
- Personal and advertising injury
While a campground isn’t legally required to carry general liability insurance, operating without it is extremely risky. If your campground is sued, you could face fees totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars (or more).
Find the Right Policy at the Best Rate
Using a fully online insurance provider saves time and money and offers the most accurate quotes.
Cost of General Liability Insurance
The average campground in America spends between $450-$1,500 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.
Check out the chart below for a snapshot of average general liability insurance expenditure across a variety of industries:
Several factors will determine the price of your policy. These include your:
- Location
- Deductible
- Number of employees
- Per-occurrence limit
- General aggregate limit
You may be able to acquire general liability insurance at a discounted rate by purchasing it as part of a business owner’s policy (BOP) rather than as a standalone policy.
A BOP is a more comprehensive solution that includes multiple forms of coverage, such as business interruption and property insurance.
Start an Online Quote for Insurance
Finding the most affordable premium starts with getting accurate quotes from highly rated providers.
Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a Campground
Example 1: If a visitor to your campground is injured due to poor maintenance or upkeep surrounding a fire pit and/or grill, you could be held liable for their injuries. General liability insurance would likely cover their injuries in a lawsuit.
Example 2: A camper takes their boat out on the water using the boat launch provided. But the boat launch wasn’t properly repositioned in the spring, and it damages their boat. General liability insurance will likely help to pay for the repairs.
Example 3: Many modern campgrounds feature supply shops and general stores for visitors to restock their supplies during their stay. If a camper slips and falls on a freshly cleaned floor, your general liability coverage would likely help to pay for their injuries.
Check out our review of the Best Small Business Insurance Companies.
Other Types of Coverage Campgrounds Need
While general liability is the most important type of insurance to have, there are several other forms of coverage you should be aware of. Below are some other types of insurance all campgrounds should obtain:
Commercial Auto Insurance
All of the vehicles that are used in relation to your business must be covered under a commercial auto insurance policy. Personal insurance will not pay for any damages if you are involved in an accident while operating your business vehicle.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
If one of your employees suffers an injury or becomes ill due to work-related duties, workers’ compensation coverage will cover their medical treatment and any other relative expenses. Most states require this type of coverage for both part-time and full-time employees.
Data Breach Insurance
When visitors register at your campground, they are trusting you with their personal and private information that may include their home address, credit card numbers, bank account information, and more. With the help of this important insurance coverage, you can help to protect your business and customers in the event of a computer breach that results in stolen data.
Commercial Umbrella Liability Insurance
This specialized insurance coverage is designed to kick in when your other primary policies have been exhausted. So if you end up facing a lawsuit that has already gone beyond the limits of your other insurance coverage, commercial umbrella liability insurance works to cover the remaining costs and damages.
Additional Steps To Protect Your Business
Although it’s easy (and essential) to invest in business insurance, it shouldn’t be your only defense.
Here are several things you can do to better protect your campground:
- Use legally robust contracts and other business documents. (We offer free templates for some of the most common legal forms.)
- Set up an LLC or corporation to protect your personal assets. (Visit our step-by-step guides to learn how to form an LLC or corporation in your state.)
- Stay up to date with business licensing.
- Maintain your corporate veil.
Business Insurance is the Best Way to Protect Your Business
If you're starting a new business, then you need business insurance. It's as simple as that. The protection offered by an LLC will protect your personal assets, but your business's assets are still open to liability in the case of a lawsuit or other loss.
Be sure that everything you've built is safe by getting business insurance.
Campground Business Insurance FAQ
Can I buy business insurance online for my campground?
Yes, absolutely. You will need to first get a quote from an online business insurance provider like Next Insurance. Next allows you to then purchase a policy immediately and your coverage will be active within 48 hours.
What is included in a business owner’s policy?
A typical business owner’s policy includes general liability, business interruption, and commercial property insurance. However, BOPs are often customizable, so your agent may recommend adding professional liability, commercial auto, or other types of coverage to your package depending on your company’s needs.
What is the difference between business insurance and general liability insurance?
"Business insurance" is a generic term used to describe many different types of coverage a business may need. General liability insurance, on the other hand, is a specific type of coverage that business owners need to protect their assets.
Do I need insurance before I start a campground?
You should invest in business insurance coverage for your business before your first interaction with a customer. Although the cost of insurance may seem high for a brand new business, it’s best to be proactive when it comes to protecting your assets. After all, you can’t buy insurance to cover a loss that has already occurred.
Will insurance protect my campground from everything?
Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your campground insurance policy, and some perils may be entirely uninsurable.
Is general liability the same as business owners?
A general liability insurance policy covers only liability losses. A business owner's policy covers both liability and property losses.
How do I choose the best general liability insurance?
The best general liability coverage for your business really depends on the amount of coverage you’re comfortable with and how often you expect to file a claim. A relatively safe business with a very low risk of accident or legal liability could opt for lower premiums with higher deductibles.
However, if you are in an accident or injury-prone industry or are making advertising claims about the effectiveness of your service or product, you may wish to consider more extensive coverage. We recommend using a digital insurance provider like Next Insurance.
Do I need business insurance if I already have an LLC?
Yes, an LLC is meant to create a legal barrier between your business and your personal assets and credit. If you haven’t formed an LLC yet, use our Form an LLC guide to get started.
An LLC doesn’t protect your business assets from lawsuits and liability– that’s where business insurance comes in. Business insurance helps protect your business from liability and risk.