As a tour guide, you ensure your customers have a memorable and safe experience. It’s your job to make the time of tourists worthwhile so that they make the most of their money paid to the travel agency.
The package assembled by tour operators are costly, you should expect that clients will sue if you perform poorly. That's why tour guide insurance is essential to protect your business. In this article, we'll explore the different insurance options for tour guides and their costs.
| 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 |
General liability insurance is a policy that provides coverage for third-party bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury claims. This type of tour guide liability insurance will also help if you damage your landlord’s property or commit copyright infringement.
Most policies cover up to $1 million in damages per occurrence, with a $2 million aggregate limit.
Equipment coverage–If you use cameras, audio equipment, or other tools during your tours, you can add coverage for them in case they get damaged or stolen
Commercial auto coverage–If you use a vehicle for your tours, you can add coverage in case of accidents or damage
This tour guide liability insurance is not mandatory in all locations but is highly recommended. Without liability insurance, you may be personally liable for any damages or legal fees that arise from accidents during your tours. Liability insurance can give you peace of mind and protect your business from potential financial losses.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance, is another type of insurance coverage that can benefit tour guides. This insurance protects against claims of negligence or mistakes the tour guide makes while providing their professional services. Professional liability insurance for tour guides can help in situations such as:
Misinformation–If a tour guide provides inaccurate information about a location or historical site and a guest is injured or incurs damages, the client may sue to receive compensation
Negligence–If a tour guide fails to follow safety protocols or provide proper instructions, resulting in injury or damage to a guest, the guest may sue for negligence
Breach of contract–If a tour guide fails to deliver the promised tour experience or is canceled without proper notice, guests may sue for breach of contract
Depending on the policy and the insurer, professional liability insurance policies for tour guides typically offer coverage limits ranging from $250,000 to $1 million.
Umbrella insurance–This add-on provides additional liability coverage above and beyond the limits of the tour guide's existing insurance policies.
While general liability insurance can provide some protection in case of accidents or property damage, it may not cover claims of negligence or mistakes made by the tour guide. Professional liability insurance specifically covers these types of claims, so it may be worth considering in addition to general liability insurance.
Public liability insurance is an important coverage option for tour guides who work with members of the public. This insurance can protect against claims of property damage or bodily injury that occur during a tour. Public liability insurance for tour guides can help in situations such as:
If a tour guide accidentally damages someone else's property or causes bodily injury to a guest or third party, the affected party may sue for damages
If a tour guide causes damage to a location or venue during a tour, the venue may sue for damages
If a guest slips, trips, or falls during a tour and suffers an injury, they may sue for damages
Tour guide public liability insurance offer coverage limits ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
Yes, even if you only offer walking tours, accidents can still happen, resulting in property damage or bodily injury to a guest or third party. Public liability insurance can protect in case of such incidents.
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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 |
Commercial property insurance is an important type of insurance for tour guides operating their business physically. This insurance for tour guides can help in situations such as:
Theft or loss of equipment–Tour guides often rely on specialized equipment such as cameras, audio equipment, and GPS devices. If this equipment is lost or stolen, commercial property insurance can help cover the cost of replacing it
Natural disasters–Natural disasters such as floods, fires, and earthquakes can cause significant damage to a tour guide's equipment and property. Commercial property insurance can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property
Vandalism–Unfortunately, vandalism can occur, and a tour guide’s property and equipment can be targets. In such cases, commercial property insurance can help cover the costs associated with repairing or replacing damaged property
Commercial property insurance for tour guides typically offer coverage limits ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
Equipment coverage–This add-on covers your tour equipment, including cameras, audio systems, GPS devices, or any specialized gear you use. It protects against theft, loss, or damage to your equipment
Goods in transit coverage–If you transport equipment or other goods during your tours, this add-on protects them from damage or theft
| 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 |
A business owner's policy (BOP) is an insurance coverage designed for small businesses. A BOP combines two key coverages–general liability insurance and property insurance–into a single policy. A BOP can help protect your tour guide business in situations such as:
Property damage–If your tour guide business accidentally damages someone else's property, your BOP can help cover repairs or replacement costs
Bodily injury–If someone is injured during one of your tours, your BOP can help cover the costs of medical expenses and any legal fees if you are sued
Business interruption–If your business is forced to shut down temporarily due to a covered event, your BOP can help cover the loss of income during that time
A BOP for tour guides typically includes general liability coverage with limits ranging from $1 million to $5 million and property insurance with coverage limits based on the value of your business assets.
Environmental liability insurance–If your tours involve outdoor activities or visits to environmentally sensitive areas, this coverage can protect you against claims related to pollution or damage to natural resources
Product liability Insurance–If you offer any products as part of your tours, this coverage can protect you against claims related to injuries or damages caused by these products
| 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 |
As a tour guide, your tools and equipment are essential to a successful tour experience. Whether leading a walking tour or driving a bus, you rely on your equipment to ensure a safe and enjoyable tour for your guests. However, accidents can happen and your tools and equipment can become damaged or stolen. Tools and equipment insurance can help in situations such as:
Theft–Tools and equipment insurance can cover the items if the equipment is stolen during a tour
Accidental damage–If your equipment is accidentally damaged during a tour, such as dropping your camera or microphone, tools and equipment insurance can cover the repairs or replacement
Natural disasters–If your equipment is damaged or lost due to a natural disaster, such as a flood or fire
Tools and equipment insurance policies typically offer coverage limits ranging from $5,000 to $50,000
Business interruption coverage–If your tour guide business experiences a loss of income due to a covered event, such as theft or damage to your equipment, business interruption coverage can provide compensation for lost income during the period of interruption
As a tour guide, you may use a vehicle to transport guests during a tour. Commercial auto insurance can cover the vehicle used for business purposes, protecting you against financial loss in accidents or damages. Commercial auto insurance can help in the following situations:
If you or your employee is involved in an accident while driving a vehicle during a tour, commercial auto insurance can cover damages and injuries caused to other parties
Commercial auto insurance can cover repair or replacement costs if your vehicle used for tours is damaged due to an accident, theft, or other covered incidents
If the tour guide rents a vehicle for business purposes, commercial auto insurance can provide coverage for accidents and liability claims while driving the rental vehicle
The components of commercial auto insurance for tour guides include:
Auto liability coverage–This covers damages and injuries caused to others in an accident where you or your employee is at fault
Collision coverage–Covers damages to your vehicle caused by a collision with another vehicle or object
Comprehensive coverage–This covers damages to your vehicle caused by theft, fire, or natural disasters
Medical payments coverage–This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers in case of injuries sustained in an accident
Commercial auto insurance policies typically offer coverage limits ranging from $25,000 to $1 million.
Commercial auto insurance policies may also offer additional coverage options, such as:
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage–This coverage protects in case you or your passengers are injured in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver
Hired and non-owned auto liability–If you rent or borrow a vehicle for business purposes, or if an employee uses their personal vehicle for business purposes, this coverage can protect in case of accidents
Normally, personal auto insurance policies do not cover vehicles used for business purposes. If you use your personal vehicle for your tour guide business, consider getting commercial auto insurance to ensure you are adequately covered.
