In 2013 Resmark Systems launched a cutting-edge system called WaiverSign, a digital technology that enables businesses to effortlessly obtain liability waivers from clients.
In 2016 the company reports that businesses signed to date in the recreational sector run the gamut from zip lines to dude ranches. WaiverSign calculates that a company that process 8,000 waivers annually will save more than $5,000 from the cost of handling paper waivers when it comes to time, labor, tracking and materials.
In this litigious society, people signing up for yoga and fitness activities and for virtually any group and/or brand-organized physical pursuit may now be asked to sign personal injury and liability waivers. In fact, whether or not a company asks customers to sign waivers is a good way up front to assess how responsible and professional an organization is, noted Brandon Lake, founder of Resmark Systems based in Salt Lake City (http://www.resmarksystems.com/).
“We haven’t begun to scratch the tip of the iceberg in regard to the kinds of enterprises that can stand to benefit from this fool-proof, easy-to-use digital waiver system that we’ve created,” Lake added.
WaiverSign (http://www.waiversign.com/) allows companies to produce and execute digital liability waivers, release forms and rental agreements that those planning to engage in a program or activity can read and sign online on a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone well in advance of arrival. Or they can sign on location using a simple kiosk. The process of reading and signing the waiver kicks in when a purchase or reservation is secured. Participants are emailed a link to an online waiver with a very easy signing process that asks them to authorize and apply an electronic signature. The system allows a business to better manage its liability exposure by allowing participants to read and sign waivers in advance instead of immediately before participation.
Because participants who have made advance reservations are emailed a copy of their signed documents, businesses using WaiverSign report an increase in the accuracy of participant email addresses gathered. This electronic transaction eliminates the time, expense and storage related to paper waivers. The electronic transaction makes handwritten and often illegible participant information on paper a thing of the past. Dates and emails are verified for proper formatting. The exchange of information electronically means that data is confirmed prior to saving the online waiver.
Better liability protection is a key benefit of a digitally signed waiver. It helps eliminate the issue of a participant claiming they never received a copy of the waiver and/or didn’t have time to fully read the waiver before their participation in an activity. This is often a common defense used with paper liability waivers.
And thanks to the gathering of emails, opportunities are enhanced for improved marketing outreach and post-trip follow-up.
For a company switching over from paper to digital it simply means transferring existing paper waivers or agreements they now use to the on-line system. A custom title and content are assigned that reflect the business. Easy-to-use editing tools assist with formatting and as-needed modifications.
So far Lake has identified eight key benefits reported by businesses using WaiverSign:
- Quick and easy setup – Digital waivers are ready for electronic signatures within minutes.
- Automatic integration - Participant information updates automatically in third-party systems.
- Save time and money - No more collecting and entering participant data from paper forms.
- Easily manage groups – A simple pass along a link to gather info and signatures from all group members.
- More client information and accurate email addresses – The process gathers emails of all participants as well as demographic data - all 100% legible.
- Secure Storage - A PDF copy of all signed digital waivers is securely stored online.
- Easy Retrieval - Within seconds, access a signed digital waiver with a simple search.
- Save paper and space - Eliminate boxes of paper waivers requiring years of storage.