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[Snagly]

I posed two questions to the BC provincial fish people via Service BC (website: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/home/services-a-z):

1. Do guides holding classified waters rod days in the Skeena system have to have public liability insurance of at least C$2m?

2. If so, do members of the public have the right to see proof of such insurance coverage from the guide?

In an email reply, they told me, "Please contact FrontCounter BC regarding your inquiry. They are responsible for the administration of Fish and Wildlife Permits, Commercial Licenses, Crown Land, and BC Parks’ Park Use Permits and can provide guidance on this matter.

Please phone: Toll-free 1-877-855-3222 or from outside North America: 1-778-372-0729 Mon. to Fri. 8:30am - 4:30pm."

As I'm in Asia at the moment, the time zones aren't convenient. I'm hoping one of the board members either knows the answer or is willing to make a call to find out.

Thanks in advance.

[roeman]

99% sure freshwater fishing guides in BC have to have liability insurance.  All you have to do is ask them provide proof. There are not that many fishing guides that can guide on classified waters in the Skeena region.

[ShaunO]

A person who is an angling guide must have public liability insurance, in an amount of no less than $2 million, that is:

• Applicable to his or her angling guide business, and
• In effect during the period for which the angling guide will operate.

To get an Angling Guide License you must show liability insurance as described above.  By extension, if you have a valid guide license you clearly met the standard and have insurance.

The regs don't make a distinction between classified and non-classified waters.  Personally, the general liability insurance wouldn't be any different to anyone except possibly the underwriters.

[RalphH]

99% sure freshwater fishing guides in BC have to have liability insurance.  All you have to do is ask them provide proof. There are not that many fishing guides that can guide on classified waters in the Skeena region.

As I understand and IME many of the guides operating are actually guide assistants operating under the authority or employment of a licensed guide. Does the insurance of the licensed guide cover an angler in those circumstances? It's a fair question. These issues have been raised before and it's not clear to me how the Provinces requirement guides have insurance applies. Licensed guides used to be listed on a government website. Don't know if that exists today.

[clarki]

I was reminded of this thread from 5 yrs ago
http://www.fishingwithrod.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=43588.msg413801#msg413801

[clarki]

Maybe I'm splitting hairs with regards to your second question @Snagly, but (IMHO) "members of the public"  do not have a "right" to see proof of a guide's insurance. If I was a guide, I would not share may Certificate of Insurance with Joe Public who demanded to see it.

However as a potential customer of a business, you have every right to "ask" for proof of a business' or individual's compliance with regulatory bodies. Whether it be a counsellor, massage therapist, carpenter, or fishing guide you can ask for proof or compliance with regulatory bodies, or membership in governing bodies. That's just doing your due diligence as a customer. At some point you have to operate with a bit of trust, but if it's that important to you, then you have every right to make that request.

But just as you have a right to ask, they also have a right to decline to provide it. And then you have a decision to make: to be their customer, or not. 

[RalphH]

Don't get  too hung up on the requirement a guide have liability insurance. It's not to protect you. It is to protect the Province. Going fishing in the wilderness is a risky undertaking and if something goes wrong chances are an insurer is going to argue any liability they have to cover is lower as a result. If the guide is liable and doesn't have the required insurance, they are still liable. It will just be harder to collect a reasonable amount of compensation.

Suggest you get your own coverage. Your post made me think the same for me since I have an in Canada trip coming up and it just makes sense to get some sort of coverage. It's not that expensive. I already have some from credit card membership but usually get additional coverage if I was going out of the country.

[Snagly]

Spurred on by the above comments, I searched for BC fishing guides and came up with this website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/fishing/freshwater-angling-guides (see https://portalext.nrs.gov.bc.ca/web/client/-/angling-guide-licence-freshwater) and assistant guides (see https://portalext.nrs.gov.bc.ca/web/client/-/assistant-angling-guide-licence)

These sites confirm that the guide must have $2m in liability insurance, pass the Angling Guide Exam (80% minimum mark), file a 5-year Angling Guide Operating Plan (one each for Classified--see chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://portalext.nrs.gov.bc.ca/documents/processed_files/AGOP%28Classified%29.pdf--and non-Classified waters) with the regional fisheries manager.

The Angling Guide Operating Plan sounds grander than the blank 2-page PDF form referenced above indicates.

Assistant guides don't appear to have any standalone insurance.

There doesn't appear to be anything along the lines of 'The angling guide license/ proof of insurance/ other information' must be available for public inspection during normal business hours M-F."

I have sent a follow-up email asking if there's an online list of the licensed guides by region. (I have one that's about ten years out of date, sourced from one BB or another.)

* * * * *

I certainly concur with the views that fishing in the wilderness (guided or unguided) carries risks, and anglers need to exercise caution (and have their own insurance).

[GordJ]

It is pretty common that, when engaging services, one is asked to supply proof of insurance. If I had any concerns I wouldn’t hesitate to ask for proof of compliance with any regulations that I felt were important.

[SuperBobby]

I can only imagine the amount of impulsive young people who go bungee jumping at some dive outfit that runs out of a Facebook page and never ask to see proof of insurance that protects the client. Then they get injured by faulty equipment or something and there is no way to get compensation.
Any activity or outing with any sort of guide outfit that involves risk, would see a person with even limited intelligent ability.... ask for proof of client insurance.

If the guide outfitter says I'm not showing you proof, then take your business elsewhere. No insurance...one accident....your life could change for the worst....and forever.

You see this sort of thing all over. It's like a (fake) landlord that somehow shows you a rental apartment he doesn't own and wants a down payment. You have every right to ask for proof that he owns that apartment. If he says no....then move on. I can't believe how many people get scammed out of a down payment on a home that the (fake) landlord never owned.