1998 INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR VOLUNTEERS

Listed below, and on page 14, are brief outlines of insurance coverages provided by or through the local council:

Comprehensive General Liability Insurance

This coverage provides protection for the council, all Scouting professionals and employees, Scouting units, chartered organizations, and volunteer scooters, (whether or not registered) with respect to claims arising in the performance of their duties in Scouting. Coverage is more than $15 million for bodily injury and property damage.

The insurance provided to Scouting volunteers through the BSA General Liability Insurance program is excess over any other insurance the volunteer might have to his or her benefit, usually a homeowners, personal liability Or auto liability policy. There is no coverage for those who commit intentional or criminal acts.

By providing insurance coverage to volunteers on an excess basis, BSA is able to purchase higher limits. Because of the high limits, volunteers should NOT be placed in a position where their assets are jeopardized because of a negligence liability claim or lawsuit.

Automobile Liability Insurance

All vehicles MUST be covered by a liability insurance policy. The amount of this coverage must meet or exceed the insurance requirement of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. (It is recommended, however, that coverage limits are at least $50,000/$100,000/$50,000.) Any vehicle carrying ten (10) or more passengers is required to have limits of $100,000/ $500,000/$100,000 or $500,000 single limit. In the case of rented vehicles, the requirement of coverage limits can be met by combining the limits of personal coverage carried by the driver with coverage carried by the owner of the rented vehicle. All vehicles used in travel outside the United States must carry a liability insurance policy that complies with or exceeds the requirements of that country. The council's automobile liability insurance is excess of the insurance the owner of the auto carries, providing insurance protection above the limits carried on the auto up to the council's $ 15 million limit of coverage. A tour permit or a council short-term camping permit is required when units travel overnight or outside their district. The Council should establish more specific guidelines setting forth when a local council tour permit is required. National tour permits are required for all trips more than 500 miles. These permits should list the driver's names and limits of automobile liability insurance carried.

Unit Accident Insurance Plan (Mutual of Omaha)

Unit Accident Insurance is available through the council; information is sent to units each year in their charter renewal kits, and the coverage must be applied for by the unit. This plan provides coverage for accident medical expenses and accidental death and dismemberment while participating in any approved and supervised Scouting activity, including going to and from meetings. New members are automatically covered under the plan until the renewal date. Non-Scouts attending scheduled activities (including group travel to and from such activities) for the purpose of being encouraged to participate in Scouting are also automatically covered. However, the plan does not cover parents, siblings or other guests.

PLEASE REPORT ALL SERIOUS INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS AND/OR SICKNESS, OR IF A SUMMONS IS SERVED ON A VOLUNTEER, TO THE COUNCIL OFFICE SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY.

Call Cindy Hiatt at 423-588-6514, ext. 16 if you have any questions related to insurance.