How vital is errant ball coverage for homeowners that live next to golf courses? Shouldn’t golf course owners or offending golfers be liable for damage caused to the nearby property?
As it turns out, responsibility for damage caused by errant golf balls may fall solely on the owner of the damaged property. Even if a guest causes the incident at an adjacent facility, golf course insurance costs may not cover broken windows or other damages.
An Example of Errant Ball Coverage
A South Carolina resident of a River Oaks condo dealt with this problem recently. The homeowner alleged that a ball careened through her window, breaking the glass and startling her. Moreover, she realized someone had caused this incident by sending a golf ball through her window.
Errant Ball Coverage and the Debate
A subsequent inspection of the interior revealed a broken window and bits of shattered glass everywhere. Also, the homeowner felt disappointment at the actions of the golfers. Instead of knocking at her door and owning up to their wrongdoing, they sped away in their golf carts.
It wasn’t the first time someone had sent golf balls toward the River Oaks residences. Pointing out dings and chips in her stairs, the victim of claimed it was a recurring theme for golf balls to hit her home’s exterior walls.
Complications from the Incident
The problem is that the River Oaks golf course is literally next door, with some sections just a few steps away from the condo’s backyard. Even standing on her property, the resident is close enough to teeing golfers to talk to them! One would think that the golfers, or at least the golf course, would face some liability for the damages. Instead, it is more complicated than that.
The Two Sides
According to Attorney Dalton Floyd, the golf course was already standing when the developers built the condo. Because the new residents were presumably aware of the risks, they assumed liability by building their homes there. So, unfortunately for the hapless homeowner, she will have to foot the bill for the window repair.
Immediately after the incident, the condo resident covered the broken window with cardboard and plastic as a quick remedy. After getting an estimate from Home Depot, her jaw dropped. Consequently, fixing the broken window would cost her $2,000.
She realized it the hurricane-proofing construction would cost a lot of money to upgrade the building. Thus, it was the costliest ball-related incident for the South Carolina resident.
Who Is At Fault?
The main issue here is “errant golf ball liability”, which comes up when a stray golf ball causes damage to someone else’s property. Ultimately, the condo resident believes the golfers and golf course owners hold liability in this case.
But as Attorney Floyd said, neither is responsible unless the incident was intentional. So for property owners living next to golf courses, the only options are to move out or pay for the damages, either from their own insurance or out of pocket.
About T2 Green Insurance
T2Green Insurance provides the best customized and comprehensive protection for your club, resort, or golf management business. Our niche expertise and sole focus is insuring this class, while our industry professionals are dedicated to providing exceptional results so that you can feel confident with your coverage. T2Green offers specialized coverage options that are unique in the industry. With our exclusive program unlike anything else on the market, you can feel peace of mind with protection that is tailored to your club’s unique needs. T2Green is driven by innovation and responsiveness in both coverage solutions and customer service. We understand the challenges that are presented in varying locations and seasons to write policies for clubs from coast to coast and everywhere in between so you can operate with confidence, no matter what conditions arise. Reach us at 844-223-9005 with any questions or so we can begin tailoring a package that works best for your club.
