ANALYZING 2023 INCIDENT TRENDS
categories, collisions emerge as a significant contributor, constituting 15 percent of overall claims and averaging $283,000 per incident. Passenger transportation incidents involving vehicles such as ATVs and UTVs account for 10 percent of claims, with an average cost of $400,000 per incident. Falls from height, though comprising a smaller portion of claims at 6 percent, still incur significant costs, averaging $128,000 per claim. Additionally, slip, trip, and fall incidents represent the second largest share of claims at 31 percent, albeit with a lower average cost of $1,500 per claim. Notably, inherent risk factors contribute significantly to incident claims, consti - tuting 38 percent of total claims with an average cost of $7,600 per claim. A note on causation categories: Based on suggestions from operators, we have changed the way we classify and measure claims. This year, we broke down incidents into different categories than in years past. We aim for these cat- egories to be more easily understood and definable. For example, in lieu of the categories “operator error” and “equipment failure” (which accounted for an average 13 percent and 1 percent of claims, respectively) we now include “collisions” and “falls from height.” Because of this change, it is difficult to draw comparisons with last year’s data and against the five-year average for collisions and falls from height. Passen- ger transportation claims are slightly above the average percentage for the past five years, but up significantly in average claim cost. Data for slips, trips, and falls, as well as inherent risk, are in line with the previous five-year trends in terms of both the percentage of claims and average claims costs.
A data-driven perspective on incident causes and costs can help operators understand how to mitigate the risks.
By Cameron Annas, CEO, Granite Insurance
The zip line and aerial adventure in- dustry has experienced exponential growth in the past decade, offering adventure enthusiasts thrilling experiences high above the ground. However, this surge in popularity de- mands an increased focus on safety and risk management. By examin- ing incident trends and associated incident costs, we can gain valuable insights into the safety landscape of this dynamic industry.
per 100,000 guests for 2018-2021 was approximately 2.5. The escalation in incidents underscores the need for con- tinued vigilance in mitigating risks. A note about “developed” numbers: The numbers referenced for 2022 and 2023 in this article are “developed.” Since some claims will not be filed until one, two, or three years after an incident, final inci - dent numbers for a year are typically not fully “developed” until five years out. To account for that delay, we use “development factors,” multipliers that help estimate the eventual developed total for a year. For example, we expect the number of incidents we know about for the calendar year 2023 on Dec. 31, 2023, to grow by 3.5 times, as more in- cidents are recorded over the next five years. The development factor reduces each year that we go back in time, as the “development” or incidents that have not been reported shrinks with each year that we go back.
INCIDENT TRENDS
Granite Insurance has led an incident data analysis study over the past five years in which we have measured several critical data points. According to those data, incident rates within the zip line and aerial park sector have shown an upward trend over recent years. In 2023, there were 4.5 incidents per 100,000 guests. In comparison, 2022 reported 4.3 incidents per 100,000, while the average number of incidents
CAUSATION ANALYSIS
INCIDENT RATE
The financial repercussions of incidents within the industry are substantial, with the average liability claim for 2023 amounting to $136,000. Understanding where claims are com- ing from provides information you can use to prevent these incidents from becoming issues at your operation. Delving deeper into specific incident
INCIDENTS PER 100,000 GUESTS
YEAR 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018
SOLUTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
4.5 4.3
Collisions Reducing collision risks on zip lines requires a meticulous approach to communication and oversight, as a breakdown in communication is a common cause of collision incidents.
1.29 2.57 3.43 2.69
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