Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides Insurance

Specialty amusement Parks and Rides Insurance is a specialized type of insurance coverage designed specifically for amusement parks and other recreational facilities that offer unique or specialized rides and attractions. This type of insurance is intended to protect the park and its operators from financial losses and liabilities that may arise from accidents or other incidents that occur on the property.

One of the main features of Specialty Amusement Parks and Rides Insurance is that it provides comprehensive coverage for a wide range of risks and hazards that are specific to amusement parks and other recreational facilities. This includes coverage for accidents and injuries that may occur on rides and attractions, as well as coverage for property damage, loss of income, and other types of financial losses that may result from an incident.

Another important aspect of Specialty Amusement Parks and Rides Insurance is that it is tailored to meet the specific needs of the park and its operators. This means that the coverage can be customized to fit the unique risks and hazards that are associated with the park and its attractions. For example, a park that has a high-speed roller coaster may require more extensive coverage for accidents and injuries than a park that primarily offers more traditional rides and attractions.

In addition to providing coverage for accidents and injuries, Specialty Amusement Parks and Rides Insurance also typically includes liability coverage. This coverage is intended to protect the park and its operators from financial losses that may result from legal claims and lawsuits that may be brought against them in the event of an accident or other incident. This may include coverage for medical expenses, legal fees, and other costs that may be incurred as a result of a lawsuit.

Overall, Specialty Amusement Parks and Rides Insurance is an essential form of coverage for any amusement park or other recreational facility that offers unique or specialized rides and attractions. It provides comprehensive coverage for a wide range of risks and hazards, and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the park and its operators. By purchasing this type of insurance, park owners and operators can rest assured that they are protected against financial losses and liabilities that may arise from accidents or other incidents that occur on their property.

This class of business can be difficult to place. The popularity of coin-operated amusement devices has spread from amusement parks and carnivals to supermarkets, public parks, and shopping centers. Most standard markets are unwilling to write such devices because they are often unattended.

Permanent amusement parks and fairgrounds are easier to insure than movable, portable, and short-term carnivals and circuses. Property coverage may be a problem due to electronic devices, food service operations, lack of public fire protection, the potential for vandalism, and because many of these operations are seasonal. Liability coverage protects the amusement park owner or fairgrounds operator against claims for bodily injury and property damage that arise from premises and operations at specific locations.

Amusement rides range from relatively tame and mundane carousels and merry-go-rounds to breath-taking roller coasters and other thrill rides. Permanent, fixed-base amusement rides are more desirable insurance risks than the carnival rides that are constantly moving from one location to another. Permanent rides are considered safer because they are not constantly being disassembled at one location, moved, and then re-assembled at a new location. Another advantage is that the concessionaire or one of its employees is assigned to a device and must meet established minimum safety standards. These rides are also subject to various state safety inspections. Coverage is available for midway stands, games of chance, and shooting galleries. Some companies also provide property coverage on these rides.

Animal ride concessions are popular attractions and can be found at permanent amusement parks, zoos, carnivals, shopping centers, and church, civic, and fund-raising bazaars. The primary underwriting concern is injuries to young children that arise when careless attendants are combined with untrained animals.

Carnivals and circuses are similar to amusement parks but they are much more difficult to place because they are mobile. They travel to and from a number of different locations, employ short-term employees (or hire short-term contractors or concessionaires), and must dismantle and reassemble rides and amusement devices at each stop. It is much easier to obtain liability insurance for sponsors of carnivals and circuses, such as churches, schools, municipalities, and fraternal organizations, than it is to cover the carnival or circus itself and its variety of concessionaires.

Horse-drawn carriage operators conduct rides through downtown hotel and theater districts as they cater to tourists and business convention attendees. Liability coverage is also available for carriages and sleds that are used in commercial livery businesses for touring or as a part of a special event such as weddings, after proms, or convention tours. Underwriters are concerned about where carriages operate, the extent of lighting when operations are performed at night, the routes used to get the horses from their stables to the operating area and the experience of the drivers.

Special events often include inflatable devices such as bouncy houses, slides, and other types that are designed for children and adults. Liability coverage is often provided by the vendor supplying the items but due to the potential for injury, supplemental coverage should be considered.

Bouncy houses and other types of inflatables are common attractions at birthday parties, community activities, and corporate picnics. Liability exposure includes not only the device itself but also the proper installation. Inland marine coverage may be needed to protect the specific items while off premises while property coverage could provide coverage while on premises.

Following are some examples of Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides Insurance claims and the corresponding insurance coverages that can help pay for them:

1. Physical Injury: A common claim that arises in amusement parks and rides is physical injury. For example, a patron might fall from a ride, or a ride may malfunction causing injury. In this instance, Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides Insurance would cover the cost of the potential lawsuit, which may include medical expenses, legal fees, and any awarded damages. The liability coverage in the insurance policy is specifically designed to handle such situations, protecting the amusement park from major financial losses.

2. Food Poisoning: Another example could be a group of patrons claiming food poisoning from a restaurant or food stand within the amusement park. If the claimant can prove negligence on the part of the amusement park, then they could potentially sue for medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc. The product liability aspect of the Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides Insurance would cover these costs, ensuring the amusement park can continue its operation without significant financial setbacks.

3. Property Damage: If a ride malfunctions and causes damage to surrounding property, a claim could be made against the amusement park. For instance, a ride may break apart, sending debris into a nearby parking lot, damaging vehicles. In this scenario, the property damage section of the insurance policy would step in to cover the costs of repairing or replacing the damaged vehicles.

4. Equipment Breakdown: Specialty amusement rides are complex machines that can break down, leading to significant repair costs and business interruption. A claim might arise from an equipment manufacturer or repair service for unpaid bills. The equipment breakdown coverage in the Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides Insurance would cover these costs, ensuring that the park can repair or replace the equipment and resume operations as quickly as possible.

5. Employee Injury: Employees operating the rides or working in other areas of the park can get injured, leading to workers' compensation claims. For instance, an operator could get injured while performing maintenance on a ride. The workers' compensation portion of the insurance policy would help cover these costs, including medical bills and lost wages, protecting the park from potential lawsuits.

6. Reputation Damage: Suppose an incident occurs in the park that brings negative publicity, leading to a significant drop in ticket sales. A claim could be made under the business interruption coverage of the insurance policy to recoup some of the lost revenue. This part of the Specialty Amusement Parks And Rides Insurance can help the park survive a period of bad publicity, providing financial support until the situation is rectified and the park's reputation is restored.