Don’t have a hunting lease insurance policy? No vacant land insurance coverage? These are major mistakes. Given the nature of our litigious modern culture, landowner liability insurance is a hot topic. Insuring vacant land through a liability insurance policy, is a smart move. Land insurance for hunting lease agreements is important, too. Either way, these provide protections and assurances. Read on for information regarding land insurance on vacant land and hunting leases.
Editor’s Note: This is not financial, investment, legal, or real estate advice. Consult with a financial planner, investment specialist, real estate lawyer, and real estate professional with questions.
What Are Hunting Leases and Hunting Lease Insurance?
A hunting lease is a contractual agreement between a landowner and hunter. The landowner (lessor) leases the land they own to a hunter (lessee). This agreement allows the latter to legally hunt on the property, and the former receives monetary payment for the access.
Hunting lease insurance covers liability claims arising from hunting activities on the property. It protects the landowner from negligence claims made by the hunters (lessees) and protects the hunter(s) from negligence claims made by the landowner (lessor).
In the event of a lawsuit, this type of insurance also covers court costs, even before a judgement is made.
Generally, the application process is quick and simple.
Fun Fact: The hunting lease insurance idea originated in the South on large hunt clubs. It’s since spread to cover lands throughout the nation, and world.
What Is Vacant Land and Vacant Land Insurance?
Vacant land is just that — vacant. It does not have structures. It doesn’t have a home attached to it. It’s void of improvements, such as buildings.
Vacant land insurance is just for the landowner. It is coverage that provides protection for any potential liabilities caused by the landowner’s negligence. It’s a viable option for those who don’t lease hunting rights, but that might give a family member permission, or who just want protection from potential trespasser liability claims. It provides coverage for claims made by invited or uninvited guests.
In the event of a lawsuit, this type of insurance also covers court costs, even before a judgement is made.
Usually, the application process is fast and easy.
Vacant land insurance is unlikely to cover (or even be needed) for an injury that occurs on the property but is of no negligent fault of the landowner.
Fun Fact: The vacant land insurance concept originated in the South on large pine plantations. It’s since spread to cover lands throughout the nation, and world.
Reasons to Secure a Hunting Lease Policy
There are many reasons to secure a hunting lease policy. While hunting rarely leads to injury or damages, it can lead to accidents. Thus, those who provide permission or lease to hunters, should have a policy in place — even if it’s just family or close friends. This handles any liability issues arising from hunting-related activities on the property.
Potential risk:
- Treestand falls
- ATV and UTV accidents
- Shooting accidents
- Wildlife-related injuries
- Crop damage
- Property damage
- Injury
- Death
- And more
Reasons to Secure a Vacant Land Insurance Policy
As with hunting leases, there are numerous reasons to obtain a vacant land insurance policy. Most landowners will never experience a liability-related event. Some will, though. Everyone must be prepared to be among the latter. This covers them for virtually any liability-related concerns on the property.
Potential risks:
- Falls in old water wells
- Unexpected wildfires
- Livestock-related injuries
- Property damage
- Injury
- Death
- And more
The above bullet points aren’t complete, exhaustive lists of potential risks. They are, however, important starting points for people to consider when contemplating the need for insurance policies.
Understanding Vacant Land Insurance for Landowners
One of the most underutilized protections for landowners? Vacant land insurance. It’s important for landowners to get vacant land insurance for property that they already own or newly purchased. Jake Meyer, a Whitetail Properties Land Specialist in Mississippi and Tennessee, says it’s a necessity, and not something to procrastinate on.
“If you're a landowner, and you're thinking about leasing your property — whether it's to provide a supplemental income to your livelihood or not — it’s important to protect yourself as the owner and your hunting lease tenants,” Meyer said. “Just the liability perspective alone is so important. It's a good practice and approach to any type of leasing partnership.”
In some instances, even a landowner who falls victim to a trespasser on their property can be held liable if something goes wrong. For example, even if trespassing, a landowner might be held liable if the trespasser is injured while on their land. As crazy as it seems, it’s especially likely if the landowner is found to display negligence of some kind. Vacant land insurance addresses this as well.
“Within the many unknowns of owning vacant land, it's important to cover your bases, especially from the liability perspective,” Meyer said. “While I'm not an attorney, I've had exposure to these types of conversations with landowners. They have found vacant land insurance important to protect them from all types of dependent and independent variables, such as trespassers. That’s the only way to protect themselves from any type of liability and unforeseen circumstances.”
Of course, vacant land insurance also covers more common threats.
Thus, signifying the importance of all landowners having vacant land insurance.
“I always recommend that people get vacant land insurance just for liability protection,” agreed Whitetail Properties Land Specialist Matt Tyler. “If you're going to have any livestock there, any ATV activities, or anything else like that, having that liability insurance is key.”
Understanding Hunting Lease Insurance for Landowners and Hunters
One of the most overlooked elements of leasing hunting land? Hunting lease insurance. This effectively protects the landowner and hunters alike from potential liability concerns.
Fortunately, there are insurance policies that specifically address the needs of landowners (lessors) and hunters (lessees) alike. Because of this, landowners who lease their land to hunters, and hunters who lease land from landowners, should be interested in insurance policies.
“I'm of the opinion that hunting lease insurance policies protect both the tenants and the owner of the property,” Meyer said. “Another reason it's so good to consider (for both parties), is liability concerns can be one of the biggest obstacles for why landowners have issues with authorizing hunting permission on their property.”
But with a lease insurance policy in place, it protects all parties from unforeseen damages or injuries, effectively removing this fear and doubt from the leasing equation. These policies are designed to cover varying issues.
“It's a beautiful thing when you can align that type of arrangement for a landowner to supplement their income with the revenue generated from the hunting lease,” Meyer said. “Then, the hunting lease tenants get to enjoy the recreational value of that property. They can hunt it, and possibly fish, camp, ride horses, or anything like that. Everyone wins, and everyone can be better protected with those types of policies.”
“On hunting leases, the liability insurance is cheap,” Tyler said. “And with those hunting activities, they do come with risks. So, it’s an affordable insurance policy with a lot of upside.”
Where to Get Hunting Lease and Vacant Land Insurance
There are multiple places to obtain hunting lease insurance. Some secure it through available programs with conservation organizations, such as with the National Deer Association (NDA). Others might go through the American Hunting Lease Association. The same is true and available for vacant land insurance (https://ahuntinglease.org/vacant-land-insurance). It’s important to know that each source provides different coverage, prices, etc. You can even contact your local Whitetail Properties Land Specialist for recommendations and referrals.
