Why You Need Water Park Insurance

Welcome, water park owners and operators! As you know, running a water park comes with its own set of unique challenges and risks. To ensure the safety of visitors and protect your business, it’s crucial to implement effective risk management strategies. Water parks provide the setting for creating countless happy memories with friends and family.

As the owner of a water park, it’s incredible to give people the opportunity to enjoy a fun summer day together—while, of course, keeping them safe from harm. Despite the many precautions you take to ensure every guest’s safety, accidents can and do happen. That’s why it’s essential to watch out for your own safety, as well, so you can protect your finances and your business. You need water park insurance.

The Need for Water Park Insurance

Water and slippery surfaces pose inherent risks, no matter how carefully your park is maintained and monitored. Though you may have a safe park with no history of claims, it’s important to get insurance coverage before something happens—just in case.

Drowning tends to receive the most attention as a water-related injury. Indeed, it is a serious concern; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says there are 10 deaths by accidental drowning every day in the United States (20 percent of those are children under the age of 14), making it the fifth leading cause of death for people of all ages.

However, there are other hazards at a water park that could cause serious injury or death. These include:

• Slides: In 2014, there were more accidents involving water slides than any other amusement park ride over the five previous years, according to a study done by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
• Stairs: Even carefully ascending wet stairs can result in a slip and fall; of course, children often rush and aren’t always as safety cautious as their parents!
• Wet Pool Decks: Pool decks are often slippery when wet.
• Crowds: The more people in the space, the higher the risk of an incident. Someone might run into someone at the bottom of a slide, or accidentally kick or hit someone as they’re swimming or splashing.
• Poorly Trained or Unskilled Lifeguards: Every lifeguard on duty should be fully trained and committed to his or her duties while on the clock.
• Negligence: This might include a failure to uphold height, weight, or age restrictions, inadequate warning signs, poorly maintained equipment, lack of cleanliness, and more.

Although an incident does not automatically mean you are at fault, you will have to show you took all necessary precautions to prevent accidents and injuries. If you do have to pay a claim, having insurance can mean the difference between keeping your business going and financial devastation.

How to Prevent Water Park Incidents

Although some accidents will happen despite all precautions, there are many things you can do to help ensure the safety of your guests.

• Have Guests Sign a Waiver: Waivers should be written by a professional in clear language so each guest understands the risks they are taking by playing at the water park.
• Train Employees Thoroughly: This goes beyond lifeguards. Every employee should feel empowered to speak up to guests to enforce the rules, respond to emergencies, and more.
• Monitor the Park Carefully: Managers should take care to ensure employees are doing their jobs and guests are not overlooking any safety considerations.
• Post All Rules Clearly: Height restrictions, general guidelines, and other water park rules should be posted in multiple places.

6 Risk Management Tips for Water Parks

1. Adequate Training and Supervision:

One of the most important risk management tips for water parks is to prioritize adequate training and supervision of your staff. Well-trained employees can efficiently handle emergencies, enforce safety rules, and provide assistance to park visitors. Regular training sessions should cover CPR and first aid, emergency response protocols, ride operations, and guest interaction. Additionally, ensure that lifeguards are properly certified and provide ongoing training to keep their skills sharp. 19% of drowning deaths in the US involving children occur in swimming pools with certified lifeguards present. Drowning can happen anytime, anywhere in the water so staff must remain vigilant in supervising.

2. Regular Equipment Inspections and Maintenance:

Water ride accidents can caused by design or manufacturing defects or negligent operation. To prevent accidents caused by malfunctioning equipment, it is essential to conduct regular inspections and maintenance checks. Establish a comprehensive maintenance program that includes routine inspections of water slides, wave pools, pumps, filtration systems, and other water park attractions. This proactive approach will help identify potential hazards and ensure that all equipment is in proper working condition, reducing the risk of accidents.

3. Clear Safety Policies and Procedures:

Create and communicate clear safety policies and procedures to both your staff and visitors. Display prominent signage throughout the park outlining safety rules and regulations, including height restrictions, slide usage guidelines, and behavior expectations. Train your staff to enforce these rules consistently and address any safety concerns promptly. Regularly remind guests about safety guidelines through announcements, brochures, and digital displays.

4. Regular Water Quality Testing:

Maintaining clean and safe water is crucial for any water park. Implement a rigorous water quality testing program to ensure that chemical levels, including chlorine and pH, are properly balanced. Regularly test for bacteria, such as E.coli, to prevent water-related illnesses. Adhere to industry standards and regulatory guidelines to mitigate the risk of waterborne diseases and infections. Providing safe water for your guests will not only protect their health but also safeguard your park’s reputation.

5. Implementing Proper Crowd Management Techniques:

Managing crowds effectively is crucial for maintaining safety and preventing accidents at water parks. Establish capacity limits based on the size of your park, attractions, and staff capabilities. Clearly define and mark queue lines to avoid overcrowding. Train your staff to manage queues, expedite entry, and monitor areas with higher risks, such as wave pools and lazy rivers. Regularly review and update your crowd management plan to adapt to changing circumstances and visitor demand.

6. Obtaining Liability Insurance:

Even with the most comprehensive risk management strategies in place, accidents can still occur. That’s why it is essential to have liability insurance coverage for your water park. Liability insurance provides financial protection in the event of accidents, lawsuits, property damage, or injuries sustained by visitors. It ensures that your business can continue to operate smoothly without facing significant financial setbacks.

XINSURANCE provides specialty insurance solutions for indoor water parks, outdoor water parks, theme parks, waterslides, lifeguards, and more. We can even help you if you’ve been declined, canceled, or non-renewed by another insurance company. If you’re struggling to get the coverage you need, contact us today!

Following Our Top Risk Management Tips for Water Parks:

As a water park owner or operator, prioritizing risk management is vital to the success and longevity of your business. By implementing the top risk management tips discussed in this blog post, you can enhance the safety of your water park, minimize accidents, and protect your visitors.

Remember, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of your visitors should always be your top priority. By adhering to rigorous safety protocols, adequately training your staff, and having the right insurance coverage, you can create a fun and secure environment that keeps guests coming back for more.

Stay proactive, stay safe, and make risk management a fundamental part of your water park operations and remember, XINSURANCE can provide water park insurance solutions tailored to your unique needs!

How to Get Water Park Insurance

It’s easier than ever to get insurance for water parks. Though many insurance companies won’t insure you if you’ve had prior claims, or if they decide your slides are too dangerous, XINSURANCE is there for you no matter what. We offer coverage solutions for indoor and outdoor water parks, theme parks, and water slides, as well as the employees and lifeguards who work hard every day to ensure everyone has a great time and stays safe. No matter where you’re located, how many claims you’ve had in the past, or how big your water park is, we have an insurance solution for you.

Those solutions go beyond water park insurance. We can also provide commercial property liability if you are a property owner, as well as professional, participant, and general liability on their own or in addition to other coverage you may have. Commercial insurance, for example, comes with a wide range of options, including coverage to protect you against allegations of sexual misconduct, product liability, special events, and more.

Learn more about water park insurance and get a quote today. If you have any additional questions, contact us! You can call 877-585-2853 or email [email protected]. We look forward to speaking with you!

Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, President, Chairman, and CEO of XINSURANCE

Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Rick J. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick J. Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick J. Lindsey discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Rick J. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick J. Lindsey to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. XINSURANCE also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are XINSURANCE can help.