Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: bmccalister on November 16, 2015, 10:54:47 AM

Title: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: bmccalister on November 16, 2015, 10:54:47 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: jackelope on November 16, 2015, 10:56:33 AM: 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
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on November 16, 2015, 12:02:38 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: bmccalister on November 16, 2015, 12:25:08 PM: Thank you for the info.
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: huntrights on November 17, 2015, 08:24:58 AM: Check out the Sportsmen's Alliance Outfitter Membership
http://www.sportsmensalliance.org/membership/outfitter-memberships/

"Member discounts with USSA outdoor insurance provider"
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: 509 on November 17, 2015, 04:19:43 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: Bean Counter on November 17, 2015, 04:30:06 PM: 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. :bash:

Get a separate bank account for it and, don't comingle personal and business expenses. :bdid:
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on November 17, 2015, 04:48:23 PM: Quote from: 509 on November 17, 2015, 04:19:43 PM
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.
Title: Re: Question Abouyt What Insurance an Outfitter/Guide Business Should Have
Post by: fisheral87 on November 19, 2015, 06:19:29 PM: Quote
Get a separate bank account for it and, don't comingle personal and business expenses. :bdid:

+1

Spoken like a true accountant. :tup: