Whitewater Rafting Business Insurance
Getting insurance for your whitewater rafting business is essential.
This is because whitewater rafting businesses need to be protected against claims involving things that could foreseeably occur and cause them significant financial damage, such as bodily injuries and property damage disputes.
For example, a customer may become injured during one of your rafting sessions, or an employee might become injured and require time off from their job.
We’ll help you find the most personalized and affordable coverage for your unique business.
Recommended: Next Insurance is dedicated to matching small businesses with the right policy at the best price.
Best Insurance for a Whitewater Rafting Business
General liability insurance is — generally speaking — one of the most important insurance policies for whitewater rafting businesses.
Some of the risks general liability insurance covers are:
- Bodily injury
- Property damage
- Medical payments
- Legal defense and judgment
- Personal and advertising injury
Having said that, it is important to note that not all whitewater rafting businesses will be covered with a simple general liability policy.
In some cases, it may be a good idea to purchase additional coverage, such as:
- Commercial property will cover the costs associated with replacing or repairing your business’s equipment if it happens to get damaged or stolen.
- Business income will cover part of your lost income in the event that you are required to temporarily shut down operations.
- Workers’ compensation will cover your costs in the event that an employee files a lawsuit against your business (e.g., due to an injury, etc.).
When acquiring your business coverage, you will also need to decide what type of coverage provider you will pick. There are (generally speaking) two options available for small businesses:
- Traditional brick and mortar insurers (e.g., The Hartford, CNA, etc.).
- Online insurers (e.g., Next, Tivly, etc.).
We recommend going for the second option due to the fact that it’s more affordable. This is because online insurers have significantly lower overhead (i.e., no insurance agent, exclusively online, etc.).
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Cost of General Liability Insurance
On average, whitewater rafting businesses in America spend between $400 - $1,100 per year for $1 million in general liability coverage.
Compare the average cost of general liability insurance for a whitewater rafting business to other professional industries using the graph below.
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.
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Common Situations That General Liability Insurance May Cover for a Whitewater Rafting Business
Example 1: A client is making their way down to the raft launching area when she slips and falls on the rocks below, she breaks several bones in the fall and needs ambulance transport to the hospital. She demands that your business is responsible for her injuries and wants you to pay for her medical costs. Your general liability policy will likely cover her medical bills if you file a claim.
Example 2: An employee is carting some rafting equipment from your shop to the storage facility on-site when he loses control of the hand cart. The cart tumbles downhill and hits a visitor, knocking her down, and she hits her head on the rocky ground. She decides that she wants to take legal action against your business and is seeking damages. Your general liability policy will likely cover the cost of your legal defense, helping you to hire an attorney and pay out any settlements.
Example 3: A competing white water rafting company on the river has decided that your logo is taken directly from theirs and informs you that they’re taking legal action against your company. Your general liability policy will likely cover the cost of your associated legal fees. If you are required to settle with your competitor over the logo design, your policy should cover the damages as well.
Other Types of Coverage Whitewater Rafting Businesses 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 of the most common types of coverage:
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
It’s likely that all of your part-time and full-time employees need to be covered by workers’ compensation insurance to meet state requirements. This vital coverage option works to protect your employees and your business. If an employee is injured on the job or becomes ill after performing job-related duties, workers’ compensation will pay for their medical care and help to cover lost wages while they recover.
Commercial Property Insurance
The costs associated with establishing a white water rafting company are substantial. If you lose your specialized equipment and supplies in a fire or accident, it can be difficult to replace everything and keep your business running. Commercial property insurance can help to protect against losses from fires and other disasters. If your commercial property is damaged or lost due to a covered event, you can file a claim and get the money you need to keep the business afloat.
Commercial Auto Insurance
If your white water rafting company relies on personal and business vehicles, you need to invest in commercial auto insurance. This type of policy is designed to protect your business in several ways. If you or an employee is in an accident, it will cover the cost of fixing or replacing any damaged vehicles. Additionally, your policy will cover medical care for anyone injured in the crash, along with additional damages if your employee is found to be liable.
Commercial Umbrella Insurance
Your primary business insurance policy will protect your company in most legal situations. However, there may come a time when those policy limits are exceeded in a large lawsuit. To prevent paying the difference out-of-pocket, you can purchase additional protection through a commercial umbrella policy. The additional coverage will pick up where your general liability policy leaves off and pay for any remaining 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 whitewater rafting business:
- 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.
Whitewater Rafting Business Insurance FAQ
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.
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.
"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.
Generally speaking, yes — especially for a business in such a high-risk industry.
Purchasing your business insurance before you begin interacting with any clients is the “safest” approach and can end up saving you thousands of dollars down the line.
This is because you will not be able to accurately predict when you will actually need your coverage.
Not necessarily. Certain exceptions may be written directly into your whitewater rafting business insurance policy, and some perils may be entirely uninsurable.
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.