[MSAR] Insurance
tm'-fi
TFinkle at erols.com
Mon Mar 8 09:00:57 EST 2004
Insurance issues seem to be a big problem every where and our team has
not found the golden egg (yet) to help us with this problem. We
encourage our team members to obtain a personal insurance policy that
will provide them with adequate coverage and protection. Currently we
are reviewing different insurance plans that would provide team members
with liability and injury protection during (including to and from)
training, public service events and call-outs. So far we are looking at
a cost of around 4K a year. A policy to provide coverage for each
individual's mount would be much higher.
We are a 501 c-3 non-profit, all volunteer, public service response
organization and do not have an operating income. Our biggest fear is
not the injury or loss of a team members mount, but rather a liability
law suit resulting from the actions of a team member (or their mount).
One thing that I suggest for anyone seeking team insurance, is to
remind the insurance agent of Public Law 105-19 (the Volunteer
Protection Act), which was signed into law by the first session of the
150th Congress on June 18, 1997. Then have them review your team's
written procedures and documents. See the below link for more
information regarding this act.
<http://www.mtn.org/handiham/vpa1997.html>
After reviewing the Act, you will have a better understanding why it is
so critical for MSAR teams to adhere to risk management procedures.
Without documented team standards, training requirements, professional
SAR certifications and mandatory in-service training, someone could
easily lose their mount resulting from a Court Ordered Judgment, rather
than due to a mishap in the field.
Maybe that old saying about death and taxes should include a clause
about insurance.
Tomi' (TROT-2)
TROT Search & Rescue Mounted Team
State of Maryland
pennbo at bbv.net wrote:
>Our equines are not covered for anything except basic injuries while on duty.
>Anyone have any suggestions that have worked for them we'd like to hear them!
>
>Chris Pennington
>Big Bear Sheriff's Posse
>MSAR
>
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