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It’s a crisp, early autumn morning in picturesque Long Lake. The leaves have just begun to turn their brilliant shades of red, gold, and orange, and a gentle mist hovers over the tranquil forest landscape.
Tucked away in the heart of this idyllic Adirondacks setting is your cozy rural camp—a treasured retreat with views of meadows and mountains where memories are made and dreams recharged.
But you and your young family are away for the season, so the rustic camp sits empty and closed up for winter.
Several weeks pass, and the temperature gradually starts to drop as winter sets in. The once serene and pleasant weather starts to get icy and cold. One night, the temperature dips far below freezing, and the water in the pipes of your rustic camp begins to freeze as well.
As the water freezes, it expands, putting tremendous pressure on the pipes. One of those pipes can’t handle the pressure and bursts.
A substantial amount of water floods your seasonal home, causing extensive damage to the floors, furniture, the lower portion of the walls, and many personal belongings. Since you and your family are away, the damage goes unnoticed for months, leading to exorbitant repair and replacement costs.
Even if you develop a proven plan to winterize your seasonal home, such as draining water pipes or having a smart home system to monitor temperature changes and detect water leaks, accidents like this can still occur.
That’s why you need to have adequate insurance for such mishaps.
You want to enjoy your seasonal retreat well into your golden years. And passing the camp to your children and grandchildren will only be possible if you safeguard it now.
That requires the right insurance policy.
We understand that you may find the world of insurance to be a muddled affair filled with confusing jargon and policy components that make little sense. But we’re here for you. We’re here to guide you to a tailored policy that protects your seasonal investment so it can be enjoyed by future generations.
We have years of experience finding the best insurance for our clients’ second homes. Seasonal homes like camps have different risks than houses in subdivisions or suburban settings. We’ve witnessed the devastating damages that can occur to camps.
We will recommend coverages that provide maximum protection in worst-case scenarios.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to three critical coverages you should have for your rural camp and why those coverages will provide the protection you need to secure your camp for future generations.
Why Camps Need More Insurance Protection Than Regular Homes
Camps are more vulnerable to disasters than regular homes. Why? Because they’re often left unattended for long periods of time. A small problem can quickly escalate into a major crisis without anyone noticing or intervening.
- A pipe can burst and flood the entire camp
- A fire can spread and destroy the property, or
- A trespasser can injure themselves and sue you for negligence.
That’s why you need to have adequate insurance coverage for your camp. You don’t want to risk losing your precious investment or facing a costly lawsuit. There are many types of coverages that can protect your camp, but these three are the most essential ones. Don’t ignore these recommended coverages.
Critical Camp Coverage 1: Replacement Cost Value
Apply This to Both the House and Contents
Your camp insurance policy may not work the same way as your homeowners policy for your primary home. You need to make sure that your policy covers the full cost of rebuilding your camp if it’s destroyed by a covered peril.
Some insurers may only offer actual cash value coverage (ACV), which means they’ll deduct depreciation from your payout. This could leave you with a big gap between what you receive and what you need to rebuild.
To avoid this, you should look for a policy that offers replacement cost value coverage (RCV) for your dwelling. This type of coverage will pay for the current cost of labor and materials to rebuild your camp, regardless of depreciation.
For example, imagine your camp sits on the edge of Lewis County, with access to a choice ATV and snowmobile trail system—ideal because you have a decent snowmobile policy in place.
But you bought a camp insurance policy that only offers actual cash value coverage for your dwelling. You thought you were saving money by choosing a cheaper policy and didn’t consider the impact of depreciation on your payout.
One day, a severe storm hits your area and causes a tree to fall on your camp. The roof collapses, and the interior is damaged by water and debris. You’re thankful that no one was hurt, but you’re worried about the extent of the damage.
When you call your insurance company to file a claim, hoping to get enough money to rebuild your camp, you’re disappointed by their offer. They tell you that they will only pay for the depreciated value of your camp, which is much lower than the current cost of rebuilding it.
You realize you have to pay the difference out of pocket, which could be tens of thousands of dollars. If only you’d chosen a policy that offers replacement cost value coverage for your dwelling since that would have paid for the full cost of rebuilding your camp, despite depreciation.
The same principle applies to your personal belongings inside the camp. If you have valuable items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, or clothing, you don’t want to settle for actual cash value coverage. This could result in a low payout that won’t cover the cost of replacing your items with new ones.
Instead, you should opt for replacement cost coverage for your personal property. This kind of insurance will compensate you for the complete expense of purchasing new items of comparable quality and type.
Replacement cost coverage may cost more than actual cash value coverage in terms of premiums, but it can save you a lot of money and hassle in the event of a claim. It can also help you preserve your investment and legacy for future generations.
Most insurers have a minimum requirement for replacement cost coverage, which is usually 80% of your home’s replacement value. If you fall short of this requirement, your insurer may only pay a portion of the replacement costs.
Therefore, it is important to review your policy regularly and update it as needed to reflect the current value of your camp and belongings.
Critical Camp Coverage 2: Special Form
One of the most important things to look for when buying camp insurance is the type of policy form you’re getting. Some policies may have exclusions or limitations that could leave you exposed to certain risks that are common for seasonal homes. That’s why you should always choose a policy that offers Special Form coverage, also known as HO-3 or HO-5.
This may sound a lot like insurance jargon, but we’ll make it plain for you.
Special Form coverage means that your policy covers your dwelling and other structures on an open perils basis. This means that your policy will cover any damage or loss to your camp unless it is specifically excluded in the policy.
This is different from other policies that only cover your camp for a list of named perils, such as fire, lightning, windstorm, etc. If your camp suffers damage from a peril that isn’t on the list, you won’t be covered. Simple as that. Some of the perils that may not be covered by other policies but are covered by Special Form policies include:
- Water damage (including from ice and snow)
- Vandalism
- Burglary
- Theft
- Power failure
- Falling objects
- Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
- Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
- Sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, burning, or bulging of a built-in appliance like a water heater or centralized air conditioner or heating system
Perils that are not covered could affect your camp and cost you a lot of money if you don’t have adequate coverage.
Let’s say you have a cozy camp way up in North Country—in Colton, New York—and buy a seasonal home insurance policy that only covers your dwelling and other structures for a list of named perils, such as fire, lightning, windstorm, and so forth.
You thought you were getting a good deal at the time and didn’t pay attention to the exclusions or limitations of your policy.
One night, while you’re away from your camp, seasoned burglars break in and clean out your valuables—including expensive fishing gear, hunting rifles, and more. They also vandalize your walls and furniture with graffiti and damage your appliances. The vandals leave a mess of water and steam from the overflowing sink and the broken water heater.
When you return to your camp, you’re devastated by the scene. You call your insurance company to file a claim, hoping to get some compensation for your losses. But you’re in for a rude awakening.
Your agent says your policy doesn’t cover burglary, vandalism, theft, or water damage. These are some of the perils that are covered by Special Form policies but not by named peril policies. You’re left with no coverage and have to pay for the repairs and replacements out of your own pocket.
In cases like this, Special Form coverage is worth the extra cost because it covers any damage or loss to your camp unless it is specifically excluded in the policy.
The difference between HO-3 and HO-5 policies is that HO-3 policies only cover your personal property (such as furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.) on a named perils basis, while HO-5 policies cover your personal property on an open perils basis as well.
HO-5 policies offer higher coverage limits and replacement cost coverage for personal property. Replacement cost coverage means that your policy will pay for the full cost of buying new items of similar quality and kind without deducting depreciation.
HO-5 policies are more comprehensive and expensive than HO-3 policies, but they offer more protection and peace of mind for your camp and belongings. Depending on the value and condition of your camp and personal property, you may want to consider getting an HO-5 policy instead of an HO-3 policy.
Critical Camp Coverage 3: Liability
Max Out the Liability on Your Camp
Rural seasonal camps allow you and your family to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the countryside. But owning a seasonal camp also comes with some risks and responsibilities. One of them is the possibility of trespassers on your property.
Since you’re not always present to monitor your camp, you may not know who is passing through or staying on your land. Some trespassers may be harmless, such as hikers, hunters, or neighbors, but others may be malicious, like vandals, thieves, or squatters.
If any of them get injured or cause damage on your property, you may be held legally liable for their medical bills, repairs, or lawsuits. This is true even if you’ve posted signs that say “No trespassing” or “Private property” on your land.
That’s why it’s essential to have adequate liability insurance for your rural seasonal camp. Liability insurance covers the costs of legal fees and settlements if someone sues you for an injury or damage that occurred on your property.
It also protects you from claims that arise from your own actions or negligence, such as accidentally starting a fire or injuring someone with your vehicle. Liability insurance can help you avoid financial ruin and legal troubles in case of an unforeseen incident.
The amount of liability insurance you need depends on several factors, such as the size and location of your property, the frequency and duration of your visits, the activities you do on your land, and the potential hazards that exist on your property.
You should consult with an insurance agent who specializes in rural properties to find the best coverage and rates for your situation. And purchase as much liability insurance as the carrier will sell you because the costs of lawsuits can be very high and unpredictable.
Rural seasonal homes can be a great source of enjoyment and relaxation for you and your family. But they also require careful planning and protection to avoid legal problems and financial losses. By investing in a good liability insurance policy, you can have peace of mind and enjoy your rural retreat without worrying about trespassers.
Secure Adequate Coverage for Your Cherished Retreat
Now that you’re aware of the essential coverages you need for your rural camp, it’s time to take action. Don’t let a random accident ruin your cherished rural retreat. Whether it’s a fire, a storm, a theft, or a lawsuit, you need to be prepared for the unexpected. Your seasonal camp is more than just a property—it’s a legacy.
That’s why you need an insurance policy that covers all the bases.
You’ve worked hard and probably searched tirelessly to secure the perfect property. We know your camp is a special place for you and your family. That’s why we want to help you protect it with the right insurance policy.
If you’re ready to obtain the seasonal camp coverage your family will thank you for, click the Get a Quote button below to get started. We’ll reach out to you and ask some questions about your camp and how you use it. Based on your answers, we’ll customize a policy that covers the specific risks and challenges camps and seasonal properties face.
We have the expertise and experience to guide you through the process and help you make a smart choice about your insurance coverage. Start enjoying your camp without worrying about the what-ifs.
Let us take care of the insurance so you can focus on making memories with your loved ones.
If you still need time to decide and would like to expand your knowledge on seasonal camp insurance, read “Navigating Insurance Challenges for Your CNY Camp: Tips and Insights for Protecting Your Dream Retreat.”
