Editor’s Note: The Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC) sent out the following message on waivers and why they are important for park owners to implement at their parks. The column was written by Signature Park, an insurance provider in Canada.
RV parks and campgrounds are popular vacation destinations for families, couples and solo travelers looking to connect with nature and explore new destinations. However, these facilities also present unique risks that can result in injury or property damage. To mitigate these risks, RV parks and campground owners and operators must require visitors to sign liability waivers.
Waivers are an important risk management tool that protects RV parks and campgrounds from potential lawsuits and provides visitors with important information about the risks associated with their stay. Advancements in technology now allow for waivers to be read and completed on a mobile phone and then stored online so that they can easily be verified and retrieved if ever needed in the future.
One of the primary reasons that waivers are an important risk management tool at RV parks and campgrounds is that they protect these facilities from liability in the event of an accident or injury. When visitors sign a waiver, they acknowledge that they understand and accept the risks associated with camping and staying in an RV park. This means that if a visitor is injured or suffers property damage while staying at the park, they cannot sue the park for damages. Instead, they are responsible for their own medical bills and other expenses.
Waivers also help to ensure that visitors are aware of the inherent risks associated with camping and staying at an RV park.
For example, visitors may be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that they understand the risks associated with hiking in the area, using campfires, swimming or participating in other outdoor activities. By signing these waivers, visitors are aware of the potential dangers associated with these activities and can take steps to mitigate their risks.
Additionally, waivers can be an important tool for RV Parks and Campgrounds owners and operators to manage their insurance costs. When RV parks and campgrounds have a comprehensive risk management plan in place that includes the use of waivers, the risk of a future claim is reduced which can result in meaningful future savings on insurance premiums. This is because insurance companies see RV parks and campgrounds that use waivers as taking proactive steps to mitigate their risk and protect their visitors.
Finally, waivers can help to protect RV parks and campgrounds from frivolous lawsuits. Unfortunately, there are some visitors who may try to sue RV parks and campgrounds for damages even if their injury or property damage was the result of their own negligence or recklessness. By requiring visitors to sign a waiver, RV parks and campgrounds can help to prevent these types of lawsuits and ensure that they are only held liable for legitimate claims.
In conclusion, waivers are an important risk management tool at RV parks and campgrounds.
By requiring visitors to sign a waiver, RV parks and campgrounds can protect themselves from liability, ensure that visitors know the risks associated with camping and staying in an RV Park, manage their insurance costs and protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits. While waivers cannot eliminate all risks associated with camping and staying in an RV park, they can help to mitigate these risks and provide visitors with a safe and enjoyable experience.
