Scouting
Insurance Information
Everyone involved with Scouting is concerned
with the safety and well-being of each participant.
Safety is stressed in literature, at training
and in the advancement program. Still, accidents
happen and these days no one knows if a family
has accident insurance. In order to provide
adequate emergency treatment and protect our
units and leaders, the council requires units
to be covered by a unit accident policy. The
council purchases coverage for all participants
and asks units to include a $.50 per youth
and adult fee with the annual registration
packet. Units do not need to pay for their
own policy, the council can help a unit with
forms or information and, best of all, everyone
is protected. The Council carries accident
insurance with the American International Companies(A.I.G.).
This coverage is secondary to the accident
insurance that a registered Scout or Leader
may have. Claims must be filed directly with
A.I.G. Claim forms are available at the Council
Service Center. Taken from the Council Newsletter
Insurance
coverage 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 Scouters (whether or not registered) with respect
to claims arising in the performance of their duties in Scouting.
Coverage is more than $15,000,000 for bodily injury and property
damage.
The insurance provided 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 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.
Certificates of Insurance
Each local council is authorized to issue
certificates of insurance with limits of
$500,000 with the stipulation that a copy
of each certificate issued is forward the
Risk Management Service at the National Office.
To assure there is no question of coverage,
a copy must be on file with Risk Management.
Any request for a certificate
of insurance from this council must be made
through your District Executive and must be
made at least two weeks in advance of the event.
The two-week period gives us an opportunity
to type the certificate and mail it to the
National Office prior to the date of the event.
We do realize that a two-week advance notice
is not always possible, but we strongly suggest
planning ahead in your requests for a certificate
of insurance to ensure that proper notification
of insurance coverage is given.
Automobile Liability Insurance
All vehicles MUST be covered by a liability
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 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 $15,000,000
limit of coverage. A tour permit or a council
short-term camping permit is required when
units leave their immediate area. National
tour permits are required for all trips more
than 500 miles. These permits should list
the drivers' names and limits of automobile
liability insurance carried.
Directors & Officers Liability
A Directors & Officers Liability policy
in the amount of $1,000,000 covers those volunteers
serving on boards, committees and as officers
of the local council.
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.
ALL
SERIOUS INCIDENTS, ACCIDENTS, AND/OR
SICKNESS, OR IF A SUMMONS IS SERVED
ON A VOLUNTEER, PLEASEREPORT TO
THE COUNCIL SERVICE CENTER IMMEDIATELY.
Reporting
Deaths or Serious Injury
The following procedures apply
to adult leadership at the scene
of a serious injury or fatality.
First and foremost, care of the injured
and prevent further injuries. Call 911 for
help and provide immediate first aid. If
the accident occurs at camp immediately notify
the Camp Director or Camp Ranger. If the
accident occurs at a location other than
a council camp notify unit leader or other
adult leadership. If injury is life-threatening
always call 911 first.
Adult leaders are responsible for informing
their council Scout executive or designee,
as soon as possible, of a death or serious
injury or illness. A serious injury or illness
is defines as:
-
Any period of unconsciousness;
-
Any hospital inpatient
admission; or
-
Any surgical intervention
other than suturing of the skin or setting
of simple fractures.
Leaders should be prepared
to give specific facts of:
Who? Name of subject, age;
name and complete address of parent(s) or
next of kin
When? Date, time of day
Where? Location and community
What? Nature of illness or accident
How? If known, e.g., swimming, boating, hiking
Prompt and accurate reporting
to the news media is most important. The local
council has a crisis communications plan, and
the Scout executive will designate one spokesperson
in order to avoid conflicting reports. Parents
or next of kin will be informed by personal
contact before any release is made to the public.
Once proper authorities, parents and Scouting
officials have been notified gather factual
information at the scene including statements
of witnesses, leaders and members of the
group. These reports can be supported by
photographs and/or diagrams.
Non serious injuries need not be reported
to the council office. It is recommended
that a report be prepared regarding each
such incident and maintained by the unit
for future reference.
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On October 26 we will be honoring the Gemperle family
at the Modesto Doubletree and Convention Center at
our 3rd annual Distinguished Citizen's Dinner. Tom
Stone and Vera Girolami are co-chairing this event.
Plans are underway now to include a tribute to the
Gemperle family as well as a report on Soccer and
Scouting. Last year this event honored Roger Schrimp
and raised over $40,000 for Scouting in the Greater
Yosemite Council.
As of July 20, 2005 Friends of Scouting for the
Council stands at 80% of goal or $421,000. The family
campaign is at 73 % of goal while the community side
is at 75 % of goal. The LDS campaign is at 103 %
of goal! Congratulations to the LDS church and President
Tom Weed of the Merced Stake for his leadership and
the church members support of Scouting!