Insuring Liabilities at Summer Day Camps

During summer 2020, many people haven’t been able to enjoy the same experiences they normally would. However, many children have been able to benefit from summer day camps. Many camps have been able to make social distancing work with proper precautions. Still, social distancing is just one precaution that day camps must take now and in the future. They have an ongoing obligation to protect participants from all liabilities. What are some of these? How can you insure your camp against them? 

What is liability insurance?  

Countless businesses, organizations and individuals buy liability insurance. It is coverage that insures the policyholder in case they ever cause harm to a third party. In a business sense, it applies when the business causes harm to the client. They can use this coverage to compensate the affected client.  

Even if a business doesn’t intend to cause a problem for the client, the fact that one occurred still means the business might have to take responsibility for it. They might have to step up to ensure that the affected party is able to pick up the pieces. It is liability insurance that will compensate this person on behalf of the business. Both parties can settle their differences and get on with their lives securely.  

Liabilities at Summer Day Camps  

A summer day camp might teach writing, math, technology or science. They might also include Vacation Bible Schools or camps for parents and children to attend together. Various businesses or organizations might sponsor these camps.  

Whenever you operate a summer day camp, you have to see to your participants’ safety. If you don’t, then an accident could cause your guests a significant personal loss. The cost of restitution also might fall onto your business. Since managing your camp often requires a budget, then you might not be able to weather the storm of settling damage costs alone. Liability insurance can work as your bedrock.  

Consider some of the accidents that might happen at these events:

• Someone might get hurt while participating in the camp. They could face significant medical bills or other recovery costs.  

• You might damage someone’s personal property.  
• A participant or one of your employees might damage the property you are renting to host the camp. 
• A predator might gain access to this camp as an employee, using it as an opportunity to prey on or hurt a child. 
• An item you create or a service you provide at the camp might cause a participant or other party harm. This harm might occur immediately or might not appear until later. 
• An employee might commit theft against the camp or participants and their families. 

The correct liability insurance will help you cover the losses arising from such accidents. Yet, you will need to work with your agent to determine the right coverage package to benefit your business. 

Understanding Day Camp Liability Insurance  

All liability insurance must come with coverage tailored to the policyholder in question. As a result, when putting together your day camp’s liability coverage, you’ll have to do so carefully. Most of the time, you will need several types of coverage. These include:

• Bodily injury liability coverage: If you make a mistake that leads to harm to someone else, then this coverage can compensate them. Coverage might pay for both their medical treatment and their pain & suffering costs.  
• Property damage liability coverage: There are times when you might damage a participant’s belongings. This coverage can repay the harmed individual so that they can replace the damaged item.  

• Medical payments coverage: Someone might get hurt on your premises by accident. You might have no fault in the ordeal. However, with this coverage, you can still compensate the involved individual.  
• Participant accident coverage: Medical payments insurance might not automatically cover camp participants. Work with your agent to extend coverage to those who participate.  
• Premises liability coverage: If you rent a space for this camp, then this coverage will cover damage done to the space.  
• Products/completed operations coverage: If a product you make harms someone, or if someone sustains harm after the camp ends, then this coverage can compensate them.  
• Legal liability coverage: Should someone sue you for a liability claim, then this coverage can pay your legal costs and the costs of the claimant.  

• Sexual abuse/molestation allegations coverage: Some policies automatically include this coverage. In other cases, you might have to expand an endorsement to it. The coverage can protect you against both damage costs and legal costs.  

Any day camp might offer a lot of different services. However, they must do so in a way that protects their participants and their families. Since you can’t avoid all accidents, liability insurance can help you out in worst case scenarios. So, don’t hesitate to work with your agent to find the most appropriate benefits for your particular camp.  

Sources:  

https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/specialty-liability/camp/https://www.sadlersports.com/daycampinsurance/
https://www.trustedchoice.com/business-insurance/industry-types/camp/