Airsoft is fun but nothing beats the thrill of using real guns. Did you know that according to IBIS World, revenues at shooting ranges are steadily growing? Accidents can be a significant concern for gun clubs and shooting ranges. The National Institutes of Health found that suicides at shooting ranges are rare, but they still happen and can be prevented. The best way to protect your business against liabilities is to assemble a protective gun range policy. This article will cover what you need to know about gun range insurance.
Gun ranges must have workers compensation insurance. This is the only requirement. However, it’s not bad to have at least $1 million general liability insurance in case someone in the gun range gets hurt. Also having commercial property and equipment insurance ensures you have comprehensive protection.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | No | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
| Can you get a certificate of insurance online? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Gun club insurance with a general liability policy protects your business from third-party claims. You get coverage from personal injury, bodily injury, and property damage claims. Examples include:
A customer injures themself at your gun range and sues you for the damage
Someone wanders into your gun club property and slips and falls
Typically you will find general liability coverage that has a $1 million limit per occurrence and $2 million by aggregate.
Customer property coverage–This add-on to general liability insurance can reimburse a customer’s financial losses if his gone, bag, phone, or any other personal belonging got lost or damaged while under your gun range’s care, custody, and control
HNOA coverage–Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage takes care of expenses if a vehicle you hired or borrowed causes an accident and injures third parties
Generally no. General liability covers liabilities costs from third parties. The policy doesn’t grant coverage to damaged equipment you own. However, this can be addressed by including a tools and equipment add-on to general liability insurance.
Gun insurance requirements might be instituted for the first time in 2023. Laws in some states might require that owners of firearms obtain and maintain a form of liability insurance.
Shooting club insurance with public liability protection covers third-party claims from customers and the general public. This policy typically covers between $1 and $2 million per occurrence and $2 to $4 million in aggregate coverage. Examples include:
A customer damages their rifle on the range and blames it on the clutter at your business
Someone slips and falls on your business property, requiring medical treatment
No, this is typically not required by law, but it is a good idea regardless. Legal fees for injuries and damages can be costly, and an insurance policy can give you greater peace of mind.
Generally yes. Public liability insurance policies are considered a business expense by the IRS. You will want to keep track of your policy payments throughout the year so you can get a benefit on your taxes when tax time rolls around.
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| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $260,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $22,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $25,000 | $60,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/10,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Included | Excluded |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Included | Excluded |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Excluded |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Included | Excluded |
Insurance for shooting ranges should often include commercial property coverage. This helps you get reimbursed and protected when your commercial property gets damaged or stolen. Examples of when to use this policy include:
A thief breaks onto your premises and steals some of your equipment on the gun range
A physical event like an out-of-control fire causing property damage to your business building
Outdoor sign coverage–This covers the cost of replacing or replacing signs outside your business to help draw people to your store
Employee dishonesty coverage–This covers losses in case an employee commits theft, social engineering, or any other dishonest acts against your business
Flood coverage–This covers repair or reconstruction costs if your business gets damaged or destroyed by floods
Typically commercial property has a coverage limit of around $60,000 on average for businesses. Higher limits are available based on the value of your property.
No, although commercial property insurance covers many types of physical events, negligence on your part is not covered. This means the policy will not cover rusted pipes, termite damage, and other sources of property damage that stem from your improper maintenance on your property.
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| CoverWallet | Thimble (Best) | NEXT | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $300,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $500,000 | $260,000 | $25,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Business owner’s policy combines the coverage of a general liability policy and a commercial property policy. This means you are getting some third-party liability protection and some first-party protection in one package. Example situations include:
Someone slips and gets injured on your property, also damaging your own business property in the process. BOP would cover both sources of costs.
A flood causes physical damage to your property
Business owner’s policy will have a general liability coverage limit of $1-2 million and a commercial property limit that ranges between $15,000 and $60,000. You can get higher limits if necessary.
A critical add-on for BOP is business interruption insurance. This allows you to cover things like moving expenses and lost income resulting from a physical peril like a flood.
| NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
Tools and equipment insurance protects your business property, even when it is off the premises of your business. It can help you with the costs to repair or replace a tool that is stolen or a piece of equipment that breaks down. Examples include:
Someone steals your gun range equipment while you are transporting it to another site
A windstorm blows over some of your work tools, requiring costly repairs
The median average coverage for tools and equipment is $5,000. Higher limits exist, which can go up to $15,000 or more for the length of your policy.
A few add-ons you can customize your tools and equipment policy with include:
Equipment breakdown–Covers equipment breakdowns that result from things like power outages as well as the costs to repair and replace them
Transit coverage–Covers your business property when it needs to be transported from one place to another place
Workers' compensation insurance is a policy that protects employees you have if they are injured while performing their work. Employers pay for this policy, and benefits include things like wage replacement and medical care. Examples include:
While setting up the target, an employee falls over and breaks their leg
An employee inhales lead dust while working, which causes them to develop a health condition that requires treatment
Yes, many policies will cover workers’ compensation injuries for employees, no matter who is at fault. Some exceptions include working while intoxicated and other examples of extreme negligence.
In some states, workers' compensation policies are bought from the government instead of a private insurer. This is what is called a monopolistic state. These monopolistic states are listed below.
| Ohio | Apply with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | Companies buy policies from North Dakota Workforce Safety & Insurance |
| Washington | Coverage is provided by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries |
| Wyoming | You can get policies from Wyoming Workforce Services |
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $62 | $744 | $0-$500 |
| Commercial property insurance | $81 | $972 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner's policy | $143 | $1,716 | $1,500 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $70 | $840 | $500-$1,000 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $167 | $2,004 | $1,000-$2,500 |
The average gun range insurance cost is $62 per month or $744 per year for a $1 million general liability insurance. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are claims history, business history, revenues, policy limits, deductibles, and more. Here’s another table showing the cost of $1 million general liability insurance from companies we recommend:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $35 | $420 | Overall best for gun range insurance |
| The Hartford | $54 | $648 | Business owner’s policy for gun range insurance |
| CoverWallet | $45 | $540 | Policy options for gun ranges |
| Tivly | $49 | $588 | Easily buying your gun range policy |
| Thimble | $53 | $636 | Getting coverage quickly |
| Hiscox | $59 | $708 | Bundling multiple gun range policies |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
Now that you know the prices and components of gun range insurance, take a look at our reviews of some of the gun range insurance companies. Proceed below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability insurance.
Best overall
Issues an online proof of insurance instantly
Fastest general liability insurance for gun ranges
Great customer service and reputation
Excellent rates
Outstanding value for money
Get a 10% discount if you buy two or more policies
Couldn’t find any
NEXT is the overall best pick for gun range and gun club insurance. The company offers general liability, commercial property, business owner’s policy, and tools and equipment insurance. Next has an A- AM Best rating for long-term financial security and a B+ from the Better Business Bureau. Their general liability policy includes medical payments, reputational harm, advertising injury, and more.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for gun ranges
Average cost: $35 per month
Our rating: 10/10
File your claims online
Quotes are easy to generate
Some states may not be covered
The Hartford has a nice selection of policy components for your gun range insurance. One that stands out is their business owner’s policy, which can be customized with specialized policy. They help you make your policy custom-fit for your specific business and help you avoid losses early on in your business. The company has an A- rating from AM Best.
Best for: Business owner’s policy for gun range insurance
Average cost: $54 per month
Our rating: 10/10
The dashboard makes filing, tracking, and shopping extremely simple
Excellent selection of policy components
Compare quotes online quickly
HNOA coverage automatically added to general liability insurance
Not an insurance company but an insurance broker
CoverWallet offers general liability policy, commercial property, workers' compensation, business owner’s policy, and more. Your gun range policy is maximized thanks to CoverWallet comparing your policies with their partners. CoverWallet has an A+ rating from the BBB.
Best for: Comparing gun range insurance quotes online
Average cost: $45 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Compare quotes over the phone
Helps connect you to insurance providers
Highly personalized approach
Quick customer response
You have to call to get a quote
Tivly is an insurance platform that offers policies from over 200 partners. They help you generate multiple quotes at once and get connected to the right insurance policy quickly. Tivly has been in the insurance business for 20 years and has an A rating from the BBB. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing gun range insurance quotes over the phone
Average cost: $49 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Easy-to-use mobile app
Great online resources
Numerous add-ons to BOP and general liability insurance
ACORD 25 certificate of insurance
Customer service isn’t 24/7
At Thimble you get gun range insurance components like general liability, business owners policy, commercial property, business equipment, and workers compensation. Thimble is great for first-time buyers because they offer helpful resources to help you decide. 75% of their business comes from first-time buyers, and they have an A rating from AM Best.
Best for: On-demand coverage for gun ranges
Average cost: $53 per month
Our rating: 10/10
14-day refund policy
Discounts for bundling policies
Some policies have a company size limit
Hiscox has policies that are designed for small businesses. They tailor the policy based on your business needs and help you bundle multiple policies thanks to their discounts. This company offers a nice selection of policies like general liability, business owner's policy, and workers' compensation. Their claims center provides 24/7 assistance and is highly reviewed with a 4.7/5 rating. Hiscox has an A rating with AM Best.
Best for: Bundling multiple policies
Average cost: $59 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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