Keep Your Campfire Contained: Safety Specifics

What is camping without a good old campfire? Campfires have been great for cooking, telling stories around and of course marshmallows! Fires however, when not used properly can lead to serious loss.

Fires, and more importantly, forest fires have resulted in devastating destruction in places all around the world. We know of the severity they have brought to the west coast of Canada over the years. In particular, Australia’s forest fires of 2019 also resulted in mass environmental damage.

Because damage is our specialty we are going to go through the importance of fire bans, how you can lessen the risk with fires and substitutes which still give you your campfire experience.

Fire Ban Facts

To prevent many of the forest fires, fire bans are put into place. Fire bans are typically put into place for two reasons.

1. Environmental conditions are dry, resulting in increased risk of fires starting.

2. The number of fires within a certain area has reached capacity in terms of firefighting resource capabilities.

Ways to Reduce Your Fire Hazard

Whether there is a fire ban on or not, there are ways you can ensure you are enjoying a good old camp fire safely.

Know the municipality’s fire safety measures.

Make sure to check out websites, or local boards to see the risks of fires in the area.

Do not leave your fire unattended for long periods of time.

Once you are done with it there are several steps you can take to stop the fire. Firstly, allow the fire to burn down before putting it out. You can then douse it with water, or dirt as an alternative, until the fire is completely out.

Be aware of where your fire is located.

If you start your fire under a tree or awning, close to your trailer or next to something flammable, your chances of the fire spreading are more likely. Try to find a place that is open and free of any debris and flammable materials.

Use a fire containing pit.

Having a fire somewhat contained from the inside will help prevent any fire spreads. Certain campgrounds have these types of pits at every campsite. Check out Friendly Fires for a range of outdoor fire containers.

Refrain from using certain fire starters such as excessive gasoline use.

Using other forms of fire starting methods sometimes can lessen the amount of control you have over your fire. When possible start fires using typical starting methods like kindling or wick fire starters.

What Can I Substitute?

In addition to these best fire hazard reduction practices there are also substitutes you could implement to safely enjoy the perks of camping fires.

Have a fireplace within your trailer.

This more so applies to mobile homes or park models that have more versatility to fit fireplaces in. Although you may not be outside you can still enjoy the fire from the comfort of your vacation home.

A blazing fireplace within a trailer
An outdoor chimnea with a wood fire burning
Chimeneas are also great substitutes for typical fire pits.

This is something the Ontario government suggests to use instead in certain situations when fire ban regulations are in place. 

Use a grill if you are using your fire for cooking. 

Grills are more contained than the typical campfire. In some severe cases however grills and BBQs can also be restricted so know the fire restrictions in your area.

Campground Due Dilligence

Although in some cases forest fires just can’t be prevented, in other cases different parties can also do their due diligence to prevent tragedies from happening. Campgrounds can play a big role in ensuring fire safety measures are taken. Here are some of the ways campground owners can protect their campground and campers from fires.

This ensures all campers know what is expected of them in terms of keeping themselves and others safe. Especially with transient campers, try to provide  information on arrival about fire restrictions. 

This verifies that if a trailer owner causes damage to your property it can be covered. Here is more on why proof of insurance is important. 

Having fire containing pits removes the responsibility being put onto campers. This is more important in parks with transient sites.

This sort of information should be available to everyone. Whether its posted in the employee lunch room, on the public announcement board or on a Facebook page, everyone should know what to do in the case of a fire emergency.

Fire can be all fun and games until someone gets burned. Make sure its not you. Want to know more information about Ontarian fire bans, laws and regulations? Check out Ontario.ca below for more fire tips.

Have Your Insurance Broker do What's Right for You

We care about more than your insurance, we care about your safety. 

Business Insurance For My Campground

Whether you are a new campground owner or looking to shop around, understanding what kind of insurance to look for to protect your campground or resort is important. We’re here to help identify the difference, what to expect when looking for insurance and how MBK caters a little bit more to their clients.

Picture This

Hey MBK! I recently purchased a new campground. It’s great. It has 100 campsites, a clubhouse and a great beach. I know business insurance is a must, but I do not know much about it. I know my rv park is a business but is seems different than insurance you would get for a retail store or restaurant. So, what do I do? 

new campground owner

This is something our clients ask about. Many start looking for insurance through companies that provide general, high-risk, high premium insurance. These companies typically provide a wide range of additional insurance services such as auto, life and travel insurance. For all the insurance services our insurance company, Wynward provides, check them out here.

Campground or Business Insurance?

So, I should just contact any company that offers business insurance?

You sure can. Those brokers could take you on.

But you offer campground insurance, what is the difference?

That is a great question. Like we have said, business insurance can give you the general commercial liability and some coverages, depending on the company. Your typical commercial policy is not commonly all-risk but provides you the basics in terms of insurance. Therefore, campground insurance is technically business insurance, it is just more catered to the risks connected to your park. 

A Look at the Differences

Typical Commercial Policy Inclusions

  • Commercial general liability on policies typically cover bodily injury and medical expenses and also serves as protection if you are a tenant.
  • Cyber liability can be related to privacy violations, potential computer security breaches resulting in business interruptions, or copyright infringements.
  • Fire and lightening damages are typically covered however on some policies damages from wind, could be excluded.
  • Business interruption insurance is something that can be added to policies for extra costs. 

M.B. Kouri Campground Specialized Policy Inclusions

  • Pollution clean up coverage is included in the campground policy. 
  • Hydro polls and lines that you own on your property that could cause potential damage to your buildings are covered.
  • Accidental death and dismemberment of individuals on the policy are included. The coverage is similar to a life insurance policy.
  • Vandalism and theft are covered in our campground specific policies.
  • Extra expense endorsement is included and provides inclusion for expenses associated with any claim, no questions asked. 
  • Business interruption is included within your policy.
  • Care, custody and control endorsement covers you in a case where you accidently cause damage to one of your campers property.
  • Rental coverage is available for extra if you have cottages, cabins or trailers that are rented. This ensures that if buildings are incapable of producing income momentarily, it is covered.

*all campground specialized policy inclusions are within MBK’s policy wordings, other campground insurance policies might be subject to change.

With M.B. Kouri Insurance Brokers campground insurance we are more specialized. We include the coverages associated with business while customizing your policy according to what your rv park offers.

We go the Extra Mile

In addition to what we do, we also have some special coverages and add ons offered to campground owners. Some of our highlights include:

Home owners policy

We can easily include your home on your policy, that way you do not have to get a separate policy and unnecessarily additional premiums. 

Watercraft and water toy

This could include certain slides, trampolines and boats. Contact us to verify if your water toy could be added to your policy.

Wagon rides 

Although COVID might restrict this activity temporarily, this inclusion allows for guests and employees to be protected from any dangers that may happen during the rides.

Fireworks

What is a long week like Canada or labour day without fireworks? This is a large risk that some companies don’t take on. Unlike these companies, MBK’s policy guards against any accidents that might happen to guests and surrounding property while enjoying the show! 

What to Expect 

Now that I know what I can have covered at my new campground, what will the process look like?

Another great question! Here is a sample of what might be asked in the quote process.

This includes the year the park was established, number of years you’ve owned it and what your typical season length is

Topics such as fire department & hydrant locations, burglar alarms, fat fryers and extinguishing questions might be asked

This section will typically ask questions around the operations of your business. For example the club house or any snack bar would be included in this part. Even potential trailer sales you take part might be asked

This section would typically ask about the measurements and value of buildings on the campground property.

So the Jury is Out

Should new and experienced campground and resort owners get specialized campground insurance?

Patricia from Saugeen Cedars Family Campground has experience with different insurance companies. Yet she believed MBK offered the right insurance for her campground.

“We left MB Kouri for a few years, but it was a terrible experience. So happy we’re back – you are all great to deal with. You make insurance a very easy process!!! Thank you!”

Click on the logo for more about Saugeen Cedars.

Feel more comfortable with the process now? Think we’re the company for you? Give us a call or fill out our application and receive a fast, reliable quote.

1-800-465-7864

Get the Right Business Insurance For You

We care about making sure your business is covered. Contact us to see if we are the right broker for you.

What Makes Proof of Insurance Important

What is proof of insurance?

To begin with, proof of your insurance comes in many forms. No matter the item you hold, certain parties may request one of these forms to know that you are covered. Essentially, your insurance coverage can be presented in 2 ways. As a result, parties have a choice when it comes to how they want proof of insurance presented.  

insurance broker Ontario

A certificate of insurance – this includes details like policy type, number and expiry date. On top of that it reports the liability and coverage of the given asset. Additionally, it allows brokers to identify the party the certificate should be made out to.

Policy declaration page – this is also accepted by certain parties and includes all of the same details as the certificate of insurance. However, this is not something that needs to be requested. Under these circumstances, it is typically given in your policy package.

When is proof of insurance requested? 
Firstly, providing proof of insurance is quite common. Being a trailer owner, many campgrounds request insurance verification in order for you to park in their campground.
In the same way, campground insurance might be requested by municipalities in certain situations. Additionally, campgrounds may also ask for insurance from organizations that are working with the park for any events. Lastly, maintenance contractors that may be entering campground premises might also be required to provide proof insurance.

Why proof of insurance is important?

Campgrounds 
To begin with, you should ensure any parties that enter your park are insured. In fact, this means that insurance companies can assign responsibility if there is a case where your property causes damage. Additionally, insurance companies can also step in if an individual damages your property as well. 
 
Scenario

Thus, you are a campground owner who recently hired a company to pump your sewage out. Unfortunately, the worker is new and damages your tank. As a result, the sewer backs up into your camper’s trailers. In this case, lets say that you did not request a certificate of insurance. Additionally, it also turns out that the company did not have business insurance. Because of this you would personally have to replace the tank. Not only that but you would be responsible for paying for any damage to customers trailers. So, why not ensure that if anything went wrong you’re covered?

Trailers 

Next, trailer owners should hold proper trailer insurance. Along with this, they should be prepared to provide proof of it at any given time. Initially this guarantees that your park owner is covered for anything you damage. It also ensures that in a case where damage is done to your property, your insurance company can carry the burden, not you.

Scenario

Picture this, you have recently parked your trailer in a local family campground. In this case, a visitor to the park accidently backs into your trailer. While going to address the damage with you, they slip and fall on your deck. As a result, this not only ends up in damages to your trailer but also a lawsuit for bodily injury. Overall, a lawsuit from this could mean large legal bills. Therefore, if you had insurance, financial burdens resulting from the accident fall onto your insurance company.

Request your proof of insurance 

If you are currently insured with us and require proof of insurance you can:

Call us at

1-800-465-6874

Email us at 

[email protected]

Get the Right Insurance for You

We care about your peace of mind and knowing you are covered. Get a free quote to see if we are the broker for you here

Advice from the Experts: Winter Campground Maintenance

It’s winter and you are thinking about the holidays, hot cocoa and cozying up by the fire. The last thing that is probably on your mind is your campground.

Most policies, including MB Kouri Insurance Brokers, offer coverage for loss that could occur during the winter months. These coverages include ice damning and snow load, and helps to ensure that damage caused by the unexpected harsh winters does not fall back on you. Not to mention, although you are covered for damage resulting from winter weather, you can also do your due diligence to reduce the chance of this happening to your business.  

Initially we spoke with our campground insurance specialist Dave Kouri to see how he suggests beating the winter hazards. In sum, check out why its important, stories of losses and how to prevent winter damage.

“I think this is an important topic of conversation. People should know how they can better protect themselves.”

Campground Insurance Specialist

Why is it Important?

Dave can easily vouch for the importance of winter maintenance of a campground. Considering the family ski resort and campground he worked at growing up, he has seen firsthand why maintaining your park is essential during the off season. With that, Dave explains that this coverage has been around for decades, just like Canadian winters will continue to be. “The best thing to do is prepare for anything”

Ensuring your campground is cared for is important for customers that keep trailers in the park over the colder months. Subsequently, Dave can account of cases where snow load, fallen trees, ice and wind has damaged buildings and customers trailers.

Cardinal/Ottawa South KOA Campground Winter Wonderland

Cardinal/Ottawa South KOA Campground Winter Wonderland

Here are 5 Ways to Care for Your Campground in the Winter

Check snow accumulation on roofs and structures.

Doing this helps prevent snow load where the weight of snow can result in damage to certain structures. Not only this but by clearing snow can also prevent ice damning in eavestroughs.

Lake Edge Cottages
Ensure ANY steps or walkways that are open to the public are clear & salted.

This prevents risks of physical bodily injury to customers, potential visitors or employees. 

Lake Edge Cottages remains open in the winter and recently installed a safety rail in their hot tub to make winter usage safer!

Check-in with higher risk areas

Monitor or have someone periodically check into the campground on the following elements:

  • Heated buildings to prevent freezing pipes in the case of power outage
  • Highly forested areas for potential tree damage to buildings and trailers

 

This may be Cardinal KOA in the winter but check out their summer availability here

Campground Maintenance

Whistle Bare Campground keeps their campground maintained in the winter. Check out what a summer with them looks like

Keeping park security gates & entrances blocked to prevent access to customers trailers

This prevents several hazards from occurring. Firstly, it stops potential trailer owners from coming into areas that are not monitored and maintained. In addition, it also restricts chances of theft or vandalism of yours or camper’s property by through making entering difficult.

Ensuring you are maintaining your campground helps not only prevent damage but also reduces long term damage that could occur by not checking on your business for months. Not only does it prevent loss but it also helps you be the best RV campground.  

Other things to Consider – Are you Covered Properly

Lake Edge Cottages

Lake Edge Cottages

An area Dave says people fail to consider in terms of campground insurance is contents within buildings. Even though buildings are covered, unless things like machinery and tools are added to the policy, some contents are not covered. He has had cases where winter conditions have caused damage to campground buildings and the items inside.

Scenario

In a particular case, a campground building held equipment and machinery which were damaged beyond repair when weighted snow entered the building. Because the owner decided not to include this on their policy, which is an option with MBK, the equipment was not covered. Dave explains that it is important to make sure your covered. Premiums are ever so slightly changed with add-ons like that, making it worth it to help prevent situations like that one from happening. 

Dave is Your Guy

If you are not one of our current customers and were hoping to talk about insurance for your campground, park or resort Dave is your guy. Not convinced? Check out his bio to see if he is the specialist for you. 

Get the Right Insurance for You

We care about protecting our customers. Not part of our family yet? Get a free quote to see if we are the right insurance broker for you. Click here.