Uninsured climbers may look to you if hurt in your facility regardless of their expertise, prior experience, or any agreement you might have in place with them. Climbing wall operators should be concerned not only with liability insurance, but also with the quality of the medical coverage of your patrons.
Consider purchasing Accident Medical Insurance to cover participant injuries. Accident medical insurance, unlike liability insurance, is payable without regard to fault and is intended to “make whole” the participant for out of pocket medical costs in the event of an accident. Liability insurance provides relief to the injured person only if you were somehow responsible for the incident.
The participant accident medical insurance is available only to current members of the CWA as a member benefit through Stratus Insurance Services. The primary insurer for the program is National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh PA; a member of American International Group, an A rated company.
Insurance rates with the new carrier have been reduced by nearly half, making the coverage even more affordable. Contact Cameron Allen at Stratus for more information or get an application form (www.climbingwallindustry.org/insurance.php)