Frequently Asked Questions & Facts About Hunt Lease Liability Insurance

FAQs

§                Does my club have to be sued for coverage to apply?

No, a lawsuit is not necessary for coverage, but legal obligation or liability determination is necessary before coverage applies.

§                What protection is provided my club in the event of legal action?

If the hunting club becomes legally obligated to pay any members, guests or non-member, any damages for bodily injury or property damage arising from claims against the club, the hunting lease liability insurance policy will pay all sums due up to the policy limits.  These payments will be made on behalf of the club except as otherwise excluded by the master policy.

§                Does my hunting club have to pay for legal fees associated with a liability claim?

No, the plan pays for all legal costs required for your club’s defense, even if the suit is groundless, false or fraudulent.

§                Why does a landowner want to be named as an additional insured?

The landowner may wish to be named as an additional insured so that he may be provided protection should he be named in a suit caused by an occurrence of the hunting club.

§                My club leases from a large landowner that provides coverage on their property. Can coverage be extended to other landowners that my club leases from?

Yes, coverage can be extended to other landowners on a separate master policy or a separate individual club policy.

§                How do insurers draft a “master policy” that allows for variations by different policy holders?

Variations by specific clubs can be a problem. Where the policy fits it fits extremely well.  When it does not, other issues can arise. The most common problem is effective date. Individual policies can be written with whatever effective date is necessary, but the minimum amount needed to begin is $500-$750. Master policy minimum is usually around $150, therefore clubs generally make accommodations to fit the master policy.

§                What are some of the exclusions?

The legal liability coverage provided within the program is shaped by exclusions and conditions presented in the master policy. Examples of these exclusions are bodily injury or property damage arising out of use of an automobile, aircraft, or watercraft; pollution; workers compensation; assault and battery; intentional or expected acts; and commercial hunting operations. All coverages are subject to the terms, conditions and/or exclusions presented in the master policy.

§                Hunt/Lease insurers make strong suggestions regarding the use of check-in stations, hunt management and tree stand safety. Are these required?

Safety issues are put out for information purposes. No policy wording specifically addresses those issues.

§                Who determines rate per acre for landowners?

Master policies through associations have a set per acre rate.

            (Examples:  25 cents per acre in North Carolina; 19 cents per acre in Maryland)

§                Who determines how many cents per acre of the premium billed the forestry organization receives?

The association determines this rate; the average rate is around 3 cents per acre.

§                How are dues for the Hunt Club determined? 

Dues for hunt club are determined by the association, most pay between $25-$50.

Facts

§                Average annual lease fees for the private sector range from $2.61 per acre (Arkansas) to $4.89 per acre (South Carolina).  The average cost is $3.92 per acre.

§                Additional benefits of possessing a hunt lease program include protection values and public relations.

§                Protection benefits occur when hunt clubs and individuals act as an unpaid police force to limit trespassing on properties and reduce property damage costs.

§                A recent study about hunt lease programs by Clemson University placed a value of $1.86 per acre on public relations benefits and $3.33 per acre on protection benefits.