As outdoor destinations continues to surge in popularity, insurance agents are uniquely positioned to grow their books — if they understand the specialized exposures that come with boutique lodges, hunting clubs, campgrounds and active outdoor destinations.

Here are a few tips for every insurance agent looking to leverage this expanding outdoor destination market.

Independent and Boutique Lodges, Resorts and B&Bs: The "Sweet Spot"

While national agents often focus on large franchise hotels, the real opportunity lies in independent boutique resorts and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) — especially those with fewer than 40 rooms.

Here's why these accounts are so valuable:

  • Boutique and B&B advantage — National agents often pass over one-off high-end properties.
  • Retention excellence — Many accounts have retention rates in the 90% range.
  • Growing demand for escapism — Travelers seek wellness-oriented, intimate experiences.

Hunting Clubs: An Evergreen Opportunity

Guided hunting experiences and private clubs continue to grow in popularity among affluent travelers and corporate groups.

Consider these tips:

  • Look beyond deer hunting — opportunities in quail and waterfowl operations are strong.
  • Standard markets may not address unique risks.
  • Specialized endorsements may be required, such as canine coverage for trained hunting dogs.

Campgrounds and RV Parks: Meeting Modern Traveler Trends

Campground and recreational vehicle (RV) park insurance demand is rising as families and adventure-seekers embrace the open road.

Watch for these prospects:

  • Family-focused parks with multiple pools, lazy rivers, or small water parks.
  • Unplugged experiences offering miniature golf, gaga ball and non-motorized recreation.

Lakeside or Ranch Properties: Active Destinations With Added Exposures

Beautiful landscapes often come with high-risk activities requiring strong risk controls. For example, water activities require the following controls:

  • Clear signage for swim-at-your-own-risk areas.
  • Roped-off areas for swimming versus boating.
  • Mandatory life vests.
  • Hold-harmless agreements, including for minors.

Other considerations for lakeside or ranch properties:

  • Farming/ranching exposures are generally excluded and require separate coverage.
  • Activities like zip lines, jumping pillows, unrelated horseback riding and large festivals are typically declined.

Tips for Smooth Outdoor Destination Submissions

For agents new to the outdoor space, the best first step is a site visit. Seeing the tangible property allows you to identify risks that a paper application might miss.

Here's an checklist for success for agents:

  • Walk the property — Note the proximity of water, the condition of amenities and any excluded activities like all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails.
  • Speak the language — Consult with an underwriter early to understand potential exposures specific to the region or class.
  • Leverage broad forms — Seek policies that include unlimited blanket additional insureds and waivers of subrogation free of charge. In a space where clients often have dozens of entities to list, highlight this massive cost-saving advantage during the sale.
  • Choose collaborative underwriting partners — Your underwriter should offer you valued insights, education and future mitigation ideas rather than a flat "no." Look for a partner who will help you place even the most challenging risks.

Growth in the Great Outdoors

By partnering with a collaborative team like RPS that has the underwriting experience and lives the outdoor life, agents become even more essential partners in their clients' long-term success.

Don't miss out on this fast-growing market — we're here to help along the way.

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