Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have

[bmccalister]

I am looking into what type of insurance an outfitter/guide business needs or should have. Also, is their a professional group, organization or agency that can help or an outfitter/guide should go through? Any recommendations on company or agent? I have asked insurance companies and some guides and I get a blank confused look or told just fill out a waver.

[jackelope]

You might check with the Washington Outfitters and Guides Association for insight. Also there are a few guides on the forum that might chime in here.

http://www.woga.org/index.html

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

You are required to have General Liability Insurance to be legal in Washington.
In order to get the required permit to operate on State or Federal land you need to have the named landowner (DNR or FED) on your insurance as  in order to get a special use license.
Most National Forest and Federal lands have limits on number of outfitters permitted for area, extremely limited and available only through a transfer of business.
State land (DNR) is not as regulated, although just as difficult to obtain.
Private timber companies are just as reluctant to allow any commercial operation.

[bmccalister]

Thank you for the info.

[huntrights]

Check out the Sportsmen's Alliance Outfitter Membership
http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/membership/outfitter-memberships/

"Member discounts with USSA outdoor insurance provider"

[509]

The Forest Service requires that ALL permitted businesses  carry insurance.  I believe the BLM is the same.

You could stop by an FS office and ask for a survey of which companies the outfitters use.  They probably will give you that info as long as it is not tied to a particular outfitter.

[Bean Counter]

For an additional level of protection you should form an LLC for your business. If its just you  or you&spouse that own it, it wont add any complications to your federal income tax return. You would still report your income on Schedule C. As soon as you add another owner/shareholder, it has to go to schedule E, and K-1s must be cut for all shareholders. 

Get a separate bank account for it and, don't comingle personal and business expenses. 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

The Forest Service requires that ALL permitted businesses  carry insurance.  I believe the BLM is the same.

You could stop by an FS office and ask for a survey of which companies the outfitters use.  They probably will give you that info as long as it is not tied to a particular outfitter.

Landowner must be named in coverage.
Will not permit without it.

[fisheral87]

Get a separate bank account for it and, don't comingle personal and business expenses. 

+1

Spoken like a true accountant.