Scheme adds insurance to camping sites

FOR generations, campers have sought access to private properties, farms and stations across Australia by asking land owners to camp down by the creek or in the back paddock.

But what happens if someone rolling out their swag, putting up a tent, parking their van or enjoying basic farm tourism is injured or has their property damaged?

In a national first, Australian land-sharing website Youcamp.com has launched a scheme that provides farmers and other landholders automatic insurance coverage against claims by paying campers and other guests.

“Our newly launched policy, Youcamp Safe, is one of the biggest breakthroughs in agri-tourism ever seen in Australia,” Youcamp co-founder James Woodford said.

The scheme was formulated by Sydney firm Honan Insurance Group and underwriters at Lloyd’s of London.

“We believe the launch of this policy could give thousands of farmers, struggling to diversify their income in the face of severe drought, the confidence to open their properties to travellers, without the fear of multi-million dollar public liability claims.

“Youcamp has been established for over six years and in that time the number one question we get asked by potential private land hosts is ‘What about insurance?’ $50 million liability insurance is now included with bookings made via the Youcamp website.”

Youcamp has thousands of campsites located on more than 560 properties across the nation.

Hosts can list not just various outdoor accommodation options but also extras such as meat, honey and other produce but also activities such as farm experiences and other leisure activities.

“We have nearly 50,000 travellers on our database who want access to private property in order to escape the crowds and interact with farmers and other landholders,” Mr Woodford said.

“Australians are quickly realising that some of the best campsites are actually on private land.”

Youcamp Safe has been built to provide coverage irrespective of where landholders are in Australia and what approval process is required.

It is a civil liability policy intended to respond to claims arising from guest bodily injury and/or guest’s property damage and applies to all eligible hosts, independent of local planning laws or exemptions.

The policy requires hosts to take reasonable care and preventative measures to prevent a guest becoming injured or having their property damaged.

This is to make sure hosts are providing a safe environment for their guests.