Is there such a thing as babysitting liability insurance?

Question

HI! My friend and I are starting a business called Discovery Days...we basically are going to meet with families and offer to babysit in a non-traditional manner...we would take the kids out rock climbing, surfing, skateboarding, teach photography, teach piano, violin, kayaking....lots of other things that both of us are good at...basically a babysitter who doesn't just sit the kids in front of the tv. What kind of liability insurance would I need? Any help? Thanks!

Answer 1

OK, well, there IS daycare liability; and traditional babysitting, where you are a minor, and go to people's houses, well, there's coverage for that under your parent's homeowners policy.

But you're looking at basically an adventure babysitting thing.  Depending on what you do, liability for that is going to START at $1,000 and go from there.  Plus, you've got the commercial auto cost, as you'll be hauling the kids around in your car.

People get killed doing some of these things. . . . and you're talking about MINORS here, so it's going to be VERY VERY expensive to do the rock climbing, skateboarding, white water rafting, etc.

**excess liability -  or umbrella liability - is NOT what you need.  It's an EXTRA layer of insurance, an extra million dollars of coverage, on top of a "primary" policy.  You have to buy the primary coverage FIRST, before you can get "excess".  The DEDUCTIBLE on an excess or umbrella policy, is probably going to be $250,000, or more.  It does NOT take the place of PRIMARY coverage.**

Answer 2

You will need an excess liability policy.  Check what you already have on your homeowner's insurance policy and see what the limitations are.  Call your agent to get recommendations for the amount of excess liability insurance coverage you will need for the type of day care business you want to start.  I would also ask about medical coverage for the kids in case of an accident...