Do you really have all your resort’s risks covered, or do you just think you do?
What would happen if a storm shut down your golf course while a fuel spill at your marina triggered an EPA investigation?
If you’re managing a resort in Georgia that spans both fairways and waterfronts, you’re navigating one of the most complex risk landscapes in hospitality. This guide will help you turn that complexity into a competitive advantage by showing you how to build a seamless, integrated insurance program that protects every part of your property.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Why modern resorts need unified insurance strategies
- What specific coverages Georgia golf courses require
- How to protect your marina from legal and environmental threats
- How to bring all your coverages together into one resort-wide policy
Modern Resorts Are a Web of Risks
Today’s resorts aren’t just hotels; they’re ecosystems. Your property might include a hotel, golf course, spa, marina, restaurants, and retail. Each of these brings its own risks, but most operators mistakenly insure them separately.
The result? Gaps, overlaps, and surprise exclusions.
A golf course might face liability for pesticide runoff, while the marina deals with high-value watercraft and environmental hazards. These aren’t just operational differences; they are legal, regulatory, and financial pitfalls waiting to happen.
You need an insurance program that works as holistically as your resort does.
Instead of stacking individual policies that might not fit together, a smart insurance strategy connects them into one cohesive safety net. You reduce exposure, simplify management, and often save on total premiums.
What Every Georgia Golf Course Needs to Be Covered
Georgia’s climate makes it a prime golf destination, but it also introduces unique risks. A complete insurance package for a Georgia golf course must cover both general liabilities and location-specific exposures.
Core Coverages:
- General Liability
Protects against injury or damage claims such as an errant golf ball or a slippery clubhouse entrance. - Property Insurance
Covers the clubhouse, maintenance buildings, and course structures from damage due to fire, weather, or vandalism. - Workers’ Compensation
Required in Georgia for businesses with three or more employees. It covers medical costs and wages for on-the-job injuries. - Commercial Auto
Insures maintenance vehicles, guest shuttles, and equipment haulers. - Inland Marine
Covers mobile tools like golf carts and turf equipment during transport or off-premises use. - Business Interruption
Replaces lost income if the course is shut down by a covered event, such as a hurricane. - Umbrella Liability
Adds an extra layer of protection above your general and auto policies.
Georgia-Specific Insurance Considerations
- Severe Weather
Georgia is prone to hurricanes and floods. Standard property insurance often excludes flood damage. Be sure to add Flood Insurance and Windstorm Coverage. - Municipal Risk Dilemma
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-1), municipal golf courses are immune to many lawsuits unless they carry liability insurance. Buying coverage waives that immunity, so policy structure is critical. - Environmental Regulation
EPA oversight is increasing. A Pollution Liability policy is essential, as general liability usually excludes chemical spills and pesticide runoff.
Marina Coverage: Unique, Critical, and Often Overlooked
Waterfront properties may elevate guest experiences, but they also bring complex risks. From floating docks to fueling stations, marinas require specialized insurance.
Essential Marina Coverages:
- Marina Operators Legal Liability (MOLL)
Covers damages to customers’ boats while in your care for docking, storage, or repair. - Pollution Liability
Pays for cleanup costs and penalties from fuel spills or other hazardous discharges. - Commercial Property
Must be tailored to include docks, piers, boat lifts, and other waterfront structures. - General Liability
Covers injuries to guests and visitors on marina grounds. - Workers’ Compensation
Protects staff like dockhands and maintenance techs who face physical risks daily. - Equipment Breakdown
Covers mechanical or electrical failure of essential gear like boat lifts and fuel pumps.
Why You Need a Unified Resort Insurance Program
Managing separate policies for each area of your resort is inefficient and risky. Georgia resort operators are increasingly turning to bundled programs that offer complete, resort-wide protection.
Benefits of an Integrated Resort Insurance Plan:
- No Gaps in Coverage
A single policy ensures your golf course, marina, hotel, and more are all protected without overlap or omission. - Simplified Management
One renewal date, one provider, one claims process. - Potential Cost Savings
Bundling can reduce premiums, especially through programs tailored to resorts.
Programs like Amwins’ Destination Resorts & Hotels policy are specifically built for properties with diverse amenities. They can include liquor liability, equestrian facilities, waterparks, and even golf-specific inland marine coverage, all under one roof.
Final Thoughts: Is Your Resort Fully Protected?
If your resort includes both a golf course and a marina, your insurance coverage cannot be an afterthought. Siloed policies leave dangerous gaps that only show up when it’s too late.
Your resort is more than the sum of its parts. Your insurance should be too.
Now that you understand the insurance challenges unique to Georgia resort operations, the next step is to work with an insurance professional who specializes in hospitality and leisure. Together, you can craft a resort-wide program that not only protects your assets and people, but also supports your long-term success.
Ready to secure your resort the right way? Get a quote and build your custom protection plan today.
