Liability insurance
Paul H. Brown (phbrown@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Mon, 29 Jan 1996 18:48:58 -0500
It has been suggested that scouters carry an umbrella liability policy.
i do, but have had one since well before I was registered as a scouter.
Does my council's liability policy (which, I hope, protects me) have a
large deductible, which requires that I have my own liabilty policy?
An example. I live in Virginia. A (IMO, benighted) commonwealth that
does NOT require public liability insurance for its drivers. If I, as an
uninsured scouter, get in a wreck while on BSA errands, does the council's
insurance defend and pay any ensuing liablity suit against me?
If I have some liability coverage (say, $25,000 worth), and have the same
accident, does my liablity insuror defend and pay $25,000 worth, with the
council stepping in for any >$25,000 judgment? If so, then why should I
carry any excess liablity, or umbrella insurance? (I learned in law
school -insurance law isn't my specialty, BTW- that a good reason to
carry lots of insurance is that more insurance buys a better defense: an
insurance company with $1 million on the line will spend more, and hire
more experience, than a company with $25,000 on the line.)
Same accident, but I'm a risk adverse a/r type. Insured for $300,000 on
my car. $1,000,000 umbrella policy. Again, does the council participate
in my defense, as well as any settlment/judgment >$1,000,000?
To add to the scenario, assume the same accident, but I've neglected to
get a tour permit? Still covered by the BSA policy?
What if we're ultralight flying? When does BSA say to me: it wasn't a
real scout activity (eventhough all present are registered
scouts/scouters), so you're on your own?
Paul H. Brown, UC, GW District, National Capital Area Council, BSA
phbrown@capaccess.org
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