Why do gun ranges need insurance?
From lead exposure to accidental shootings, risks are everywhere at gun ranges. Business insurance helps you recover financially from an unintentional discharge that injures someone, theft of property, or a fire that damages your facility. It's often required by laws, contracts, and leases.
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Insureon will help you find insurance quotes that match the unique risks of your shooting range.
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What types of business insurance do shooting ranges need?
These policies cover common risks at gun ranges, hunting clubs, and other businesses in the firearms industry.
General liability insurance
A specialized general liability policy for shooting ranges covers third-party risks, such as accidental discharge of a weapon. It's often required when you rent a commercial space.
- Customer injuries
- Accidental damage to a customer's property
- Product liability coverage
Business owner's policy
A BOP bundles commercial property coverage and general liability coverage under one plan. It's often the most cost-effective type of commercial insurance for a shooting range.
- Shooting accidents
- Damaged customer property
- Stolen or damaged business property
Professional liability insurance
This policy, also called errors and omissions insurance (E&O), covers lawsuits related to professional negligence. You can often combine it with a general liability policy or BOP.
- Lack of safety protocols
- Poor maintenance of guns
- Other negligent acts
Workers’ compensation insurance
Most states require workers' comp for employees at a gun range. It also protects sole proprietors from work-related medical expenses that health insurance might deny.
- Employee injuries, such as hearing loss
- Disability benefits
- Lawsuits from employee injuries
Commercial auto insurance
Commercial auto insurance covers financial losses when a gun range's vehicle is involved in an accident. Most states require this coverage for vehicles registered to a business.
- Property damage caused by your vehicle
- Bodily injuries from an auto accident
- Vehicle theft and vandalism
Cyber insurance
Cyber insurance helps gun ranges recover from costly data breaches and cyberattacks. It's recommended for any business that stores personal information.
- Customer notification costs
- Data breach investigations
- Fraud monitoring services
How much does gun range insurance cost?
A private indoor range will likely cost less to insure than an outdoor range that hosts shooting sports tournaments.
Factors that affect business insurance pricing during underwriting include:
- Type of business, such as a gun club, archery range, or gunsmith
- Events you offer, such as a skeet shooting competition
- Value of your guns and other property
- Business revenue
- Number of employees
- Safety measures
- Types of insurance purchased
- Policy limits and deductibles
- Coverage options, such as an additional insured
How do I get gun range insurance?
It's easy to get insurance for gun ranges, firearm manufacturers, and other firearm businesses if you have your company information on hand. Our application will ask for basic facts about your business, such as revenue and number of employees. You can buy a policy online and get a certificate of insurance with Insureon in three easy steps:
- Complete a free online application.
- Compare insurance quotes and choose a policy.
- Pay for your policy and download a certificate.
Insureon's licensed agents work with top-rated U.S. providers to find the right insurance solutions for your shooting range. We'll help you get coverage for your specific needs, giving you peace of mind to focus on your business.
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FAQs about business insurance for gun and shooting ranges
Review answers to common questions about shooting range insurance coverage.
Does firearm insurance exist for gun ranges?
Yes, firearms present unique risks that require a variety of coverages. For example, a gun range might invest in the following:
- Firearms liability insurance to cover accidents involving firearms, which might be otherwise excluded from general liability insurance.
- Firearms rentals or inventory insurance to cover theft or damage of firearms, including those rented to customers.
Depending on the insurance company, you can likely add firearm liability insurance to your general liability policy and coverage for your guns to your commercial property insurance policy.
What is the difference between lead contamination insurance and general liability insurance for shooting ranges?
General liability insurance does not cover lead contamination, which is why shooting ranges need both types of coverage. Here's a quick breakdown:
A general liability policy covers third-party accidents, such as:
- A patron injured by a ricochet
- A visitor who slips and falls at your business
- A firearms instructor who drops and breaks a patron's custom rifle
Some areas, including the state of Texas, may require general liability insurance for shooting ranges. Common exclusions for general liability include criminal acts, intentional acts, and pollution—such as lead contamination.
Lead contamination insurance is a type of environmental insurance. It can help pay for:
- Soil and groundwater contamination from spent bullets
- Third-party lawsuits from neighboring properties
- Environmental cleanup costs
- Regulatory fines for violations of environmental laws
- Lead exposure claims from employees
General liability covers the everyday risks of running a business, while lead contamination insurance covers the specific risks of lead at a shooting range.
What safety measures can help reduce insurance costs for a shooting range?
It's possible to save money on insurance by implementing a strong risk management plan. Safety measures help you avoid accidents and prevent losses, which lowers your chance of a claim that could hike up your premium.
Here are several examples of safe practices and loss control measures at gun ranges:
- Employ a certified range safety officer (RSO) to supervise activities
- Hold mandatory safety briefings for patrons
- Train staff regularly on safety and emergency procedures
- Ensure participants sign liability waivers
- Properly maintain guns and other equipment
- Install a security system with cameras
These preventative steps help you avoid claims and can lead to insurance discounts with some providers.
What other types of insurance are essential for operating a gun range?
Shooting ranges often invest in the following insurance products to protect against unexpected out-of-pocket costs:
- Commercial property insurance covers your building, guns, cash registers, and other property at your business location in the event of a fire, storm, or burglary.
- Inland marine insurance protects items in transit and used off-site, such as rifles brought to a tournament venue.
- Business interruption insurance helps your gun range recover from a forced closure due to a fire or other covered property claim. It's also called business income insurance.
- Equipment breakdown insurance covers the unexpected failure of specialized machinery, such as a target retrieval system.
- Commercial umbrella insurance, similar to excess liability insurance, provides coverage when your general liability, commercial auto, or employer's liability insurance reaches the limit on a claim.
- Crime insurance, such as a fidelity bond, provides reimbursement in the event of employee theft or fraud. It's sometimes called employee dishonesty coverage.
- Liquor liability insurance covers legal costs if a customer becomes intoxicated at your gun range and goes on to harm someone or damage their property. It's essential if your business sells or serves alcohol.
Our agents can help you find the right products for your insurance needs and answer any questions you might have.