Insurance for Private Clubs in Connecticut: Country, Beach, Golf, and Yacht Clubs

Short answer: A Connecticut private club needs property coverage for clubhouses, courses, pools and waterfront facilities; general liability that contemplates pools, beaches, golf, tennis and children's programs; liquor liability under Connecticut's Dram Shop Act; directors and officers liability for the volunteer board; employment practices liability for a large seasonal workforce; and workers' compensation, cyber and crime coverage. Clubs on the water add marine and flood exposures.

Property

• Clubhouses, pro shops, maintenance buildings and course equipment, often historic or custom; insure at true replacement cost with ordinance or law.
• Golf courses: greens, tees and irrigation systems need specific coverage; standard forms often exclude land and growing plants.
• Waterfront clubs: docks, moorings, launches and seawalls, plus flood and named storm; see docks and seawalls.
• Members' property in lockers and on the premises, which can generate claims.

Liability exposures

• Pools and beaches: lifeguard staffing and certification, diving boards and swim programs are central underwriting questions.
• Liquor: clubs that serve alcohol face Connecticut Dram Shop Act exposure and need liquor liability; see liquor liability.
• Children's programs and camps: sexual abuse and molestation coverage is frequently excluded or sublimited and must be addressed deliberately, with screening and training.
• Events and outside rentals: weddings and private parties need contracts and certificates; see event insurance practices.
• Golf carts and course vehicles, including on public roads between holes.

The board and the staff

• D&O: membership decisions, assessments, discipline and capital projects generate member suits. Clubs are nonprofit or member-owned entities; see D&O for Connecticut boards.
• EPLI: seasonal and young staff, tipped employees and supervisors create employment claims; Connecticut's harassment training rules apply. See EPLI.
• Workers' compensation for groundskeepers, kitchen and dock staff; marine staff may raise federal Longshore Act questions at yacht clubs.
• Crime and cyber: member billing data and payment systems.

Private clubs are concentrated along the Fairfield County and shoreline corridor. New England Insurance, an independent Connecticut agency in Bridgeport since 2012, reviews club programs for boards and general managers. See commercial insurance or contact us.