Hunting with Guns and ATV: Risk? What Risk?

This Advisor was published back in '07 before all the concrete made I-10 the glorious freeway it now is!  However, the parts about huntin' still apply.  Seeing that hunting season is upon us again, we decided to dust it off and put on the front page as a reminder.  Enjoy.

Been on Interstate-10 much lately? Not if you can help it, right? We kind of feel the same way, but the good huntin’ is out West, so sometimes you just cannot avoid it. Next time you are sitting in I-10 traffic, count how many trucks or SUVs you see hauling their ATVs and camo gear to their hunting leases. You will get a big number. Of course, every time you see one of those rigs you are thinking, “I wonder if they have taken some simple and cost effective steps to ensure that their liability exposure is covered while hunting.”

OK, OK, you probably are not thinking that, but WE ARE. That may sound a little weird, but we get paid to think like that. There are a few steps you can take that are cheap and can be handled with one telephone call that will make sure that warm blanket called “liability insurance” covers your next hunting trip.

Make sure the liability coverage you pay for under your Homeowner’s policy covers you on your hunting lease.
It is pretty clear (at least as clear as an insurance policy can get) that the liability coverage included in your homeowner’s policy will cover most accidents that may take place while you are hunting (assuming they do not involve an ATV). An accidental shooting on a hunting lease will be covered in 99% of all cases.

HOWEVER, if there is bodily injury or property damage “arising out of a premises,” for example, some hidden condition on the property that causes an injury to a guest, such an injury may be excluded IF the lease is not listed as an “insured location.” To eliminate any gray area or any question about whether your homeowner’s policy will speak to injuries that occur on your lease, the lease should be added to your policy as an “insured location.” The small expense of adding the location is more than outweighed by the peace of mind you will receive.

Obtain specific coverage for your ATV to insure coverage.
Call us crazy, but the simultaneous use of guns and ATVs might be a little dangerous. But, ATVs are fun, and using one while hunting can make the experience much more enjoyable. Just make sure you have liability coverage when you are using that ATV.

Your homeowner’s policy will provide liability coverage while you are using your ATV, but only if you are doing so on the “residence premises.” To be considered a “residence premises,” your lease will have to be listed as an “insured location” in your homeowner’s policy. Of course, you already did that because you took the step listed above.

Are you really only going to use that ATV at your lease? What if you get invited to that exclusive hunting club? What if your brother-in-law wants to take you to his lease?

To end any question about liability coverage for that ATV (and to get coverage for damage to the ATV), you need specific coverage for the ATV. This can be accomplished by purchasing a separate ATV policy that covers liability and physical damage. Surprisingly, the expense is not that great. It is down right cheap when you think of the risks you are covering with your ATV.

These are two of the essential steps you should take before heading out on your next hunting trip. Call us and we can help you make it a safe one.

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