Ashley Michalson, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance

Ashley Michalson, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ashley Michalson, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance, Insurance broker, 942 14th Street, Sturgis, SD.

Do you know if your business is covered for flooding?Most business owners are surprised to learn it typically isn’t.🚩Wha...
07/29/2026

Do you know if your business is covered for flooding?

Most business owners are surprised to learn it typically isn’t.

🚩What you need to know about flood coverage:
-Standard property policies usually exclude flood damage
-Coverage must be purchased separately through a specialized policy
-Flood risk isn’t just coastal; heavy rain, runoff, or nearby water can all trigger losses
-Damage can include buildings, equipment, and lost income

📝Something many business owners misunderstand:
-Just because your bank doesn’t require flood coverage does not mean your property will never flood

🚫Where businesses get it wrong:
-Assuming “water damage” coverage includes flooding
-Not considering their actual exposure
-Waiting until a threat is imminent (when coverage is often unavailable)
-Relying solely on lender requirements instead of real risk

Flood coverage is not automatically included and whether it’s required or not doesn’t change your exposure.

If you’re unsure whether your current policy would respond to a flood loss, it’s worth reviewing before it becomes a very real problem.

Are you fully protected if an employee gets injured on the job?Workers’ comp is one of the most overlooked and most impo...
07/22/2026

Are you fully protected if an employee gets injured on the job?

Workers’ comp is one of the most overlooked and most important coverages for businesses.

📝What proper workers’ comp coverage should address:
-Medical expenses for job-related injuries
-Lost wages while employees recover
-Coverage for seasonal, part-time, or transient staff
-Protection tied to higher-risk activities (maintenance, equipment use, guest interaction)

‼️Something many campground & RV park owners don’t realize:
If you have work campers, the state generally views them as employees in the event of an injury even if they’re trading labor for a site

🚫Where businesses get it wrong:
-Misclassifying workers or relying too heavily on contractors
-Not updating payroll or staffing changes
-Assuming general liability covers employee injuries
-Overlooking unique arrangements like work campers

Workers’ comp isn’t just a requirement, it’s a critical safety net for your team and your business.

If you’re unsure if your policy is structured correctly, I can review it with you and make sure everything is aligned with how your operation actually runs.

Is your trampoline park with the right insurance agent?Not all carriers understand the risks that come with your operati...
07/15/2026

Is your trampoline park with the right insurance agent?

Not all carriers understand the risks that come with your operation and that can leave gaps.

What a strong market should offer:
➡️Experience specifically with trampoline and active entertainment risks
➡️Coverage that reflects real exposures like open jump, dodgeball, and foam pits
➡️Flexibility for special attractions or future expansions
Claims handling that understands the industry

What we’re seeing right now:
➡️A new market actively looking to write trampoline parks
➡️Competitive options for accounts that may have felt stuck before
➡️Opportunities to improve terms, structure, and overall fit

Common mistakes:
➡️Staying with the same carrier without reviewing options
➡️Assuming all policies cover the same exposures
➡️Not revisiting coverage as operations evolve

The right agent matters just as much as the coverage itself. A better fit can mean stronger protection and fewer surprises.

🧐If you’d like, I can take a look at your current policy and let you know if it’s truly aligned, or if there’s a better option available.

07/09/2026

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Are you keeping track of what you’ve invested into your property?Small upgrades add up fast and overlooking them can cos...
07/08/2026

Are you keeping track of what you’ve invested into your property?

Small upgrades add up fast and overlooking them can cost you.

What to track in a live spreadsheet:
-Property improvements (new structures, renovations, repairs)
-Equipment purchases (mowers, carts, rental gear, playground additions)
-Dates, costs, and vendor details for each item
-Estimated replacement costs, not just purchase price
-Photos or notes documenting each addition

Common mistakes:
-Waiting until renewal time to remember upgrades
-Overlooking smaller purchases that still carry value or liability
-Using outdated values that don’t reflect today’s costs

Bottom line:
A simple, living spreadsheet helps ensure your coverage keeps up with your business.

If you don’t have one started, I can send you a simple spreadsheet template to help you keep everything organized and up to date.

❤️🤍💙America is turning 250!  Are you prepared for what that could mean for your business?❤️🤍💙Big celebrations often brin...
07/01/2026

❤️🤍💙America is turning 250! Are you prepared for what that could mean for your business?❤️🤍💙

Big celebrations often bring big crowds… and bigger exposures.

What to think about as we approach the 250th:
-Increased guest volume and peak capacity risks
-Special events, fireworks, or live entertainment exposures
-Temporary structures, added attractions, or rented equipment
-Vendor contracts and third-party liability
-Parking, traffic flow, and crowd management concerns

Where businesses get caught off guard:
-Assuming current coverage automatically scales with larger events
-Not updating policies for temporary additions or one-time activities
-Overlooking vendor or participant insurance requirements

Milestone celebrations create opportunity...but also added risk.

Planning ahead helps ensure your coverage grows with your event, not against it.

If you’re thinking about hosting something for the 250th, it’s a great time to review your setup and make sure everything is properly protected.

📄 A waiver does NOT make you lawsuit-proof.• Waivers help show acknowledgment of risk, but they don’t eliminate liabilit...
06/24/2026

📄 A waiver does NOT make you lawsuit-proof.

• Waivers help show acknowledgment of risk, but they don’t eliminate liability

• They must be properly written and executed to hold up

• Courts can still challenge or disregard them

• They are just one layer of protection, not the whole plan

🫢 Relying on a generic waiver or assuming it replaces insurance coverage

Waivers support your defense, but your coverage is what protects your business.

🚗 Golf carts are one of the biggest hidden liabilities in campgrounds.Most owners don’t think twice about them… until th...
06/17/2026

🚗 Golf carts are one of the biggest hidden liabilities in campgrounds.

Most owners don’t think twice about them… until there’s a claim.

Here’s what you need to know:

➡️ Injuries happen more than you think

-Tip-overs, passengers in the back, inexperienced drivers...these claims are more common than most realize.

➡️ Your policy may not cover what you think it does

-Guest-operated carts are often limited or excluded, leaving you exposed when something goes wrong.

➡️ Rules alone aren’t enough

-Yes, you need speed limits, driver age requirements, and usage rules...but you also need the right coverage backing it up.

👎 The reality:

If guests are driving golf carts on your property, you have a liability exposure whether you planned for it or not.

Make sure you’re protected before something happens.

This is how easy a claims happen.Not a fire.Not a storm.A simple trip hazard.Slip, trip, and fall incidents are one of t...
06/10/2026

This is how easy a claims happen.

Not a fire.

Not a storm.

A simple trip hazard.

Slip, trip, and fall incidents are one of the most common causes of liability claims in campgrounds.

This is your reminder to check your walkways. A 10 minute daily walk through could save you thousands.

Service Animals & Campgrounds: What You NEED to KnowThis is one of the most common areas I see campground owners get wro...
06/05/2026

Service Animals & Campgrounds: What You NEED to Know

This is one of the most common areas I see campground owners get wrong and it can create serious compliance issues.

Here’s the reality:

1. 🚫Service animals are NOT pets

They are working animals trained to perform a specific task related to a disability.

2. 👍 You must allow them, even with a “no pets” policy

They are allowed anywhere your guests are allowed.

3. 🐶 Emotional support animals are different

They do NOT have the same public access rights.

4. 2️⃣ You are limited to ONLY 2 questions

Is the animal required because of a disability?

What task is it trained to perform?

5. 💸 No extra fees or deposits

You cannot charge pet fees for legitimate service animals.

Where campground owners get into trouble:

-Denying access based on breed or size

-Asking for certifications or paperwork

-Charging pet fees

-Treating service animals like pets

Bottom line:

Understanding this correctly protects your business and ensures you’re treating guests fairly.

If you’re not 100% confident your policies are compliant, it’s worth reviewing as this is one that gets missed often.

Address

942 14th Street
Sturgis, SD
57785

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