[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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>MSAR-riders at lists.ibiblio.org
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