Pennsylvania Golf Course Insurance

Golf courses are a hub of activity, with golfers of all skill levels enjoying the sport, groundskeepers maintaining the course, and events held throughout the year. With so many moving parts, it's important for Pennsylvania golf course owners to have the right insurance coverages in place to protect their business from potential financial losses.

Coverages for Pennsylvania Golf Course Insurance

Golf course insurance is actually a bundle of several policies intended to protect the company's grounds, employees, equipment and bottom line. Below we cover the various insurance policies available for Pennsylvania golf courses and what they cover.

Pennsylvania Golf Course Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers the golf course owner in the event of a lawsuit brought against them by a third party for bodily injury or property damage. This type of insurance covers incidents such as a golfer being injured by a stray golf ball or a guest slipping and falling on the course.

Without liability insurance, golf course owners could face significant financial losses in the event of a lawsuit. Liability insurance can cover legal fees, settlements or judgments, and medical expenses for the injured party.

Pennsylvania Golf Course Property Insurance

A property insurance policy is designed to protect the physical property of the golf course. This includes the clubhouse, carts, equipment and the course itself. Property insurance can cover losses due to natural disasters such as fires, floods or severe weather, as well as theft or vandalism.

Without property insurance, golf course owners would be responsible for repairing or replacing damaged property out of their own pockets, which could be a significant financial burden. Property insurance can help businesses recover after a loss.

Pennsylvania Golf Course Workers' Compensation Insurance

Workers' compensation insurance is a type of insurance that covers employees who are injured on the job. This includes injuries from operating machinery, lifting heavy objects, or slipping and falling on the job.

Workers’ comp policies are priced based on employee payroll and the type of work employees do. Some golf course jobs are very physically demanding, involving heavy lifting or pulling and putting workers at higher risk for strains, sprains and repetitive stress injuries.

If you're a golf course owner in Pennsylvania, it's important to understand the state's workers' compensation insurance requirements, because it's one of the rare insurance policies that's required by law. State law mandates that nearly all employers must have an active workers’ compensation insurance policy, including small businesses with one or more employees, even part-time or family members working for the business.

The Construction Workplace Misclassification Act (also known as Act 72) makes misclassification of employees as independent contractors illegal in Pennsylvania.

Employers cannot classify employees as contractors to avoid workers' compensation insurance. In fact, misclassification could expose a small business to legal and financial liability, including fines of up to $2,500 per day for non-compliance and up to one year in prison.

When there is a contested workers' compensation claim, it will be up to the courts to decide if the worker in question meets the criteria for being classified as an employee. (If the court ruled in favor of the workers, the employer would have to pay the claim, plus any penalties and fees).

The law also established a narrow definition of an “independent contractor.” To ensure you're in compliance with state law and avoid penalties, talk to an insurance representative who is familiar with Pennsylvania's workers' compensation system. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your employees and your business.

Pennsylvania workers' compensation insurance rates were 20th in the nation in 2020, with employers paying between $1.50 and $1.99 per $100 in payroll on average.

Pennsylvania Golf Course Business Owner's Policy (BOP)

A business owner's policy (BOP) is a package policy that combines general liability and property insurance into one policy. This can help Pennsylvania golf course owners save money on their insurance premiums while still maintaining comprehensive coverage.

A BOP typically includes general liability insurance, property insurance and business interruption insurance. This type of insurance can cover incidents such as slip and fall accidents, clubhouse or course damage, and lost income due to other unexpected events.

Pennsylvania Golf Course Umbrella Policy

An umbrella policy is designed to provide additional liability coverage beyond the limits of a primary insurance policy. This type of policy can be especially beneficial for Pennsylvania golf course owners who may be at a higher risk for liability claims due to the nature of their business.

Umbrella policies can provide additional coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury claims. This type of policy can help golf course owners protect their assets and avoid potentially devastating financial losses in the event of a lawsuit.