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Ice Skating Rink Insurance Policy Information

Ice Skating Rink Insurance. Ice skating with steel skates may have originated in the Netherlands over 6,000 years ago, but today, people across the globe enjoy ice skating for both athletic and recreational reasons.

Ice skating rinks are used for recreational purposes, ice skating practice and lessons, hockey, curling and related events. Many host birthday parties and other group events and have rooms specifically for these activities.

The rink may sponsor its own competitive teams. Most rinks host competitions for both figure and speed skating, hockey games, and curling tournaments.

Ice skates and equipment are available for purchase or rental. Skate repair and sharpening services are generally provided. Some ice skating rinks are owned by a governmental entity and operated or managed by private companies. Others are independently owned.

A few facilities offer both ice and roller skating as well as other recreational facilities. The ice skating rink is generally located inside a large open area building, although some are outdoors.

The rink is prepared by pouring a sand or concrete foundation and installing a refrigeration system. Water is added and frozen in layers. Lettering, lines, and paint are added to the first and second layers. When the top layer becomes rough, ice surfacing equipment is used to scrape off the old ice and replace it with a new layer.

Dasher boards are placed around the outside of the rink to separate the skating area from spectators. In some cases, tempered glass and Plexiglas are added to protect spectators, especially if the rink is used for hockey.

Snack and refreshment facilities offer soft drinks, pizza, popcorn, and similar items. Sound systems are an integral part of the exposure to provide music and announcements.

Outdoor ice skating rinks may temporarily erected during the winter months in cooler climates, but indoor ice skating rinks can remain open year-round.

If you own and run a commercial ice skating rink, you play an important role in your community by facilitating sports and recreation alike. While you will do your best to ensure that your business runs smoothly and continues to thrive, you also need to consider the consequences of unexpected events.

To protect your business even if catastrophe strikes, investing in the correct types of insurance is essential.

What kind of ice skating rink insurance coverage might be needed? To find out more, keep reading.

Ice skating rink insurance protects ice skating businesses from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked ice skating rink insurance questions:

• What Is Ice Skating Rink Insurance?
• How Much Does Ice Skating Rink Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Ice Skating Rinks Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Ice Skating Rinks Need?
• What Does Ice Skating Rink Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Ice Skating Rinks Need Insurance?

Ice skating rinks are a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, as well as a recreational facility for families and children. However, like any business or public space, ice skating rinks need insurance to protect against potential losses and liabilities.

One of the main reasons why ice skating rinks need insurance is to protect against accidents and injuries. The act of ice skating itself carries some inherent risks and accidents are bound to happen, such as slips and falls, collision, or even a medical emergency. Having ice skating rink insurance coverage can help to mitigate the financial burden of medical expenses or lawsuits that may arise from accidents.

Another important reason why ice skating rinks need insurance is to cover damage or losses to the facility itself, such as equipment breakdowns, or weather-related issues like flooding, snow and ice. Insurance can also cover the damages caused by people inside the skating area that may unintentionally or intentionally damage the equipment and infrastructure.

Furthermore, ice skating rinks also need insurance to cover liabilities such as wrongful termination, discrimination or harassment, as well as environmental hazards that may occur on the property. These types of insurance provide protection for the rink owners and their employees in case of legal actions against them.

Overall, ice skating rinks need insurance for a variety of reasons to protect against potential losses, damages and liabilities. Without insurance coverage, the rink owners and employees may be at risk of significant financial burden, and the public may not feel safe and secure in the premises.

Ice Skating Rink's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are significant due to the large numbers of visitors on premises and the type of operation. While falls are inevitable, the activities and conditions of the rink can be controlled to keep slower skaters separated from more experienced or aggressive skaters and reduce the frequency of falls.

Knee, elbow, and wrist guards, as well as helmets, are recommended for all participants. Skate guards should be present to enforce posted rules. Written rules should be posted, and procedures should be in place to remove individuals who violate those rules.

Skating surfaces should be regularly checked to identify and repair any wet or uneven areas. Any debris must be quickly removed to prevent trips by skaters. Spectator liability is a major concern, especially if hockey games are played.

Parking areas should be well maintained and free of snow and ice. Poorly maintained rental skates can contribute to falls on the ice that can result in broken legs and ankles.

Carbon monoxide or nitrogen dioxide poisoning is a possibility if non-electric ice surfacing machines are not properly maintained and if ventilation systems are not adequate. The rink may present an attractive nuisance hazard when not in use.

There must be adequate security to prevent unauthorized entry. The rink may have personal injury exposures from discrimination, defamation of character, wrongful eviction, false arrest, or unlawful detention. Contracts are important when sponsored events take place on premises.

Product liability exposures are from sales of skates and related equipment, food, and drink. Inadequate equipment repair can result in injury to skaters.

Workers compensation exposures are moderate. Skating employees, including instructors and rink guards, may be injured in falls or from a collision with customers or stationary objects. Customers may become unruly and harm employees.

Maintenance operations may result in lung, eye, or skin irritations and reactions due to exposure to ammonia from the refrigeration equipment. Snack bar employees are exposed to possible burns and kitchen related cuts, slips, and falls.

Employees may be required to work at heights to change lights or to work on overhead equipment. Customers may become unruly and harm employees.

Property exposures from fire are high due to the extensive electrical wiring for equipment such as dehumidifiers, heating systems, lighting and sound systems, and the refrigeration units. Electrical wiring must be in good repair and adequate to support operations. All units must be properly maintained and monitored.

If the rink is located indoors, the roof is susceptible to collapse if the large roof expanse is not adequately supported. Ammonia leaks may occur but are not usually considered a major fire hazard.

The buildings are generally in operation 12 hours or more a day, which puts extra pressure on all systems. Cooking exposures are normally light. If cooking involves more than popcorn makers or pizza ovens, all cooking equipment must be properly controlled.

Rinks may be a target for vandalism. Business income loss potential may be high after a loss due to the unavailability of backup facilities.

Equipment breakdown exposures are high due to the refrigeration systems, electrical control panels and other apparatus, and lighting and sound equipment used for skating events. Breakdown and loss of use to the refrigeration equipment could result in a significant loss, both direct and loss of income, as rinks may have some seasonality in their operations.

Crime exposure consist of employee dishonesty and money and securities. Background checks should be conducted on all employees handling money. As admissions may be paid in cash, cashiers' drawers should be kept stripped with regular bank deposits made. Money should never be left on the premises overnight.

When tournaments, exhibitions, games or other sponsored events occur, cash can increase considerably requiring extra security.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the rink bills customers for services, audio-visual equipment, computers, ice surfacing equipment, and valuable papers and records for suppliers' information.

Computers may be used to program music and other special effects in the rink. If the rink assumes responsibility for the skating equipment or other personal property of guests while on the premises, bailees customers coverage should also be considered.

There may be off site exposures if the rink sponsors teams for competitive skating events.

Commercial auto exposures are generally limited to hired and non-owned for employees running errands. If there are owned vehicles, they must be maintained on a regular basis with all service documented. All drivers must be properly licensed and have acceptable MVRs.

If the rink sponsors a traveling team and provides team transportation, the vehicle driver should not be a team member.

What Does Ice Skating Rink Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Ice skating rinks may face a variety of risks that could result in lawsuits being filed against them. Some of the reasons ice skating rinks are sued include:

Slip and fall accidents: The slippery surface of the ice rink can increase the risk of slip and fall accidents. Customers or employees may sue the ice skating rink if they sustain injuries while on the premises.

Equipment malfunction: Ice skating rinks have equipment such as skates, helmets, and padding. If any of this equipment malfunctions and results in injury, the rink could be sued.

Negligent hiring: If the ice skating rink hires unqualified or incompetent staff, and an accident happens as a result, the rink may be sued.

Physical assault: In rare cases, physical assault can occur on ice skating rinks. The rink may be sued if they did not take adequate measures to prevent such incidents.

Insurance can protect ice skating rinks from the financial consequences of these lawsuits. The following are examples of how insurance can help pay for the lawsuit:

General Liability Insurance: This insurance policy can help pay for any damages awarded to a plaintiff in the event of a slip and fall accident. It can also cover legal fees and other expenses associated with defending the lawsuit.

Product Liability Insurance: This policy can help pay for damages and legal expenses associated with equipment malfunction accidents.

Workers' Compensation Insurance: This policy can help pay for medical expenses and lost wages for employees who sustain injuries while on the job.

Employment Practices Liability Insurance: This policy can help pay for legal expenses associated with a lawsuit that arises from negligent hiring practices.

Assault and Battery Insurance: This policy can help pay for legal expenses and damages associated with an assault that occurs on the premises.

Overall, insurance can provide protection for ice skating rinks and help mitigate the financial impact of lawsuits that may arise.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 7999 Amusement And Recreation Services, Not Elsewhere Classified
• NAICS CODE: 713940 Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9016 Amusement Park or Exhibition Operation & Drivers

Description for 7999: Amusement And Recreation Services, Not Elsewhere Classified

Division I: Services | Major Group 79: Amusement And Recreation Services | Industry Group 799: Miscellaneous Amusement And Recreation

7999 Amusement And Recreation Services, Not Elsewhere Classified: Establishments primarily engaged in the operation of sports, amusement, and recreation services, not elsewhere classified, such as bathing beaches, swimming pools, riding academies and schools, carnival operation, exposition operation, horse shows, picnic grounds operation, rental of rowboats and canoes, and shooting galleries. Establishments primarily engaged in showing or handling animals at shows or exhibitions are classified in Agricultural Services, Industry Group 075.

• Aerial tramways, amusement or scenic
• Amusement concessions
• Amusement rides
• Animal shows in circuses, fairs, and carnivals
• Archery ranges, operation of
• Astrologers
• Baseball instruction schools
• Basketball instruction schools
• Bath houses, independently operated
• Bathing beaches, public
• Betting information services
• Billiard parlors
• Bingo parlors
• Boat rental, pleasure
• Boats, party fishing: operation of
• Bookies
• Bookmakers, race
• Bowling instruction
• Bridge club, nonmembership
• Bridge instruction
• Cable lifts, amusement or scenic: operated separately from lodges
• Canoe rental
• Card rooms
• Carnival operation
• Cave operation
• Circus companies
• Concession operators, amusement devices and rides
• Day camps
• Exhibition operation
• Exposition operation
• Fairs, agricultural: operation of
• Fireworks display service
• Fishing piers ant lakes, operation of
• Fortune tellers
• Gambling establishments not primarily operating coin-operated
• Gambling machines, except coin-operated operation of
• Game parlors, except coin-operated
• Games, teaching of
• Gocart raceway operation
• Gocart rentals
• Golf courses, miniature operation of
• Golf driving ranges
• Golf professionals not operating retail stores
• Golf, pitch-n-putt
• Gymnastics instruction
• Handball courts, except membership club
• Horse shows
• Houseboat rentals
• Hunting guides
• Ice skating rink operation
• Judo instruction
• Karate instruction
• Lifeguard service
• Lotteries, operation of
• Lottery club and ticket sales to individuals
• Moped rental
• Motorcycle rental
• Natural wonders, tourist attraction: commercial
• Observation tower operation
• Off-track betting
• Pack trains for amusement
• Parachute training for pleasure
• Phrenologists
• Picnic grounds operation
• Ping pong parlors
• Pool parlors
• Racquetball courts, except membership clubs
• Rental of beach chairs and accessories
• Rental of bicycles
• Rental of golf carts
• Rental of rowboats and canoes
• Rental of saddle horses
• Riding academies and schools
• Riding stables
• River rafting, operation of
• Rodeo animal rental
• Rodeos, operation of
• Roller skating rink operation
• Scenic railroads for amusement
• Schools and camps, sports instructional
• Scuba and skin diving instruction
• Shooting galleries
• Shooting ranges, operation of
• Skating instruction, ice or roller
• Skeet shooting facilities, except membership clubs
• Ski instruction
• Ski lifts, cable lifts, and ski tows operated separately from lodges
• Ski rental concessions
• Slot-car racetracks
• Sporting goods rental
• Sports instructors, professional: golf, skiing, swimming, etc.
• Sports professionals
• Swimming instruction
• Swimming pools, except membership
• Tennis clubs, nonmembership
• Tennis courts, outdoor and indoor operation of, nonmembership
• Tennis professionals
• Ticket sales offices for sporting events, contract
• Tourist attractions, natural wonder commercial
• Tourist guides
• Trampoline operation
• Trapshooting facilities, except membership club
• Waterslides, operation of
• Wave pools, operation of
• Wax figure exhibitions
• Yoga instruction

Ice Skating Rink Insurance - The Bottom Line

Having the right ice skating rink insurance coverage is important. To discover what types of policy options are available to you, how much coverage you need, and how much your coverage will cost, speak to a commercial insurance agent.

Additional Resources For Sports & Fitness Insurance

Learn about small business sports & fitness insurance policies and what they cover so that your customers, employees, and equipment are protected.

• Golf Course & Country Club
• Gym Fitness
• Hole-In-One Insurance
• Ice Skating Rinks
• Martial Arts
• Pilates
• Professional Sports
• Sports Team
• Swim Clubs
• Yoga Teacher
• Specialty Sports And Hobbies

The sports and fitness industry is a high-risk industry that requires insurance to protect businesses and individuals from unexpected accidents and injuries. This is especially important for businesses that offer physical activities or equipment, as they are more likely to face lawsuits if a customer is injured while participating in their services.

Additionally, the sports and fitness industry often involves high-value equipment and facilities that need to be protected from damages caused by natural disasters, vandalism, or theft. Commercial insurance can provide coverage for these types of losses, ensuring that businesses are able to continue operating and providing services to their customers.

Business insurance also plays a critical role in protecting the personal health and safety of those participating in sports and fitness activities. Accidents and injuries can occur at any time, and having the right insurance coverage can provide financial protection for medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs.

Overall, the sports and fitness industry needs insurance to safeguard businesses and individuals from the risks and challenges that come with providing physical activities and equipment. Without insurance, the industry would be vulnerable to significant financial and legal losses, which could ultimately harm its ability to thrive and grow.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Employee Dishonesty, Money and Securities, Accounts Receivable, Bailees, Computers, Contractors' Equipment, Golf Carts, Valuable Papers and Records, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Environmental Impairment, Umbrella, Hired and Non-owned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Equipment Breakdown, Flood, Mobile Equipment, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Liquor Liability, Business Automobile Liability and Physical Damage, Garagekeepers, Stop Gap Liability and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) (Drones).