Insurance for Petting zoos

by Guest » Tue Sep 21, 2010 11:19 am
Guest

We're looking forward to obtain permit for a new petting zoo. How important is a liability insurance policy for a petting zoo?

Total Comments: 6

Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2010 12:46 am Post Subject:

How important is a liability insurance policy for a petting zoo?



How important is your life savings?

Seriously, you're talking about putting kids and "wild" animals together (sure they're domesticated -- the animals, I mean -- but seemingly tame goats can suddenly revert to their mean-spirited heritage and head butt a kid across the compound. Kids are feeding chow to the bunnies, and the bunnies don't easily distinguish fingers from chow, and a bite occurs. Those cute tortoises can easily take off the finger of an adult, let alone that of a child. A cow poops on the ground, and a kid plays with it and then the kid comes down with an E. coli infection. What's that going to cost to treat?

Any of these possibilities and dozens upon dozens of others can result in a civil suit that could end up costing you everything you possess, including the zoo and your home, cars, cash, and savings. Only your retirement accounts and life insurance have some measure of protection from the claims of creditors.

At a minimum, you'll want a $1,000,000 commercial liability policy, but $10,000,000 might not be a bad starting point either. And you'll need a special endorsement to cover the animals on a commercial property policy.

Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:35 am Post Subject:

See, Max has both options open for you. You could go for the minimum limit to protect yourself from immediate risks. On the other hand, you may choose to cover yourself from a majority of risks concerning such businesses. Now, it's upto you in the end.

Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 06:23 am Post Subject:

You need to undergo USDA certification in order to obtain a permit. Get an AZA accreditation before you think of getting covered.

Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 11:07 am Post Subject:

You must stick to the USDA licensing criteria. You need to look after the well-being and safety of animals. In order to do so, you need to hire trained and skilled animal care providers. You must also be aware of the Animal Welfare Act.

Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 06:14 am Post Subject:

Animals of a zoo need to be insured from illnesses, accidents and sudden destruction. The agreement should provide that at approach of insured event payment will cover both a direct damage, and reasonable and reasonable expenses on salvation of animals and their treatment.

Life Insurance

Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 07:02 pm Post Subject:

Animals of a zoo need to be insured from illnesses, accidents and sudden destruction.



Perhaps. But of much greater concern to the owner/operator of the petting zoo is the liability created by one of the living animals injuring one of the living munchkins playing with them at the zoo. It can wipe out one's life savings to allow that to happen and not be covered.

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