[TowerTalk] ARRL liability insurance (tower project)

[Pat Barthelow]

When I looked over the many pages of our Club's ARRL Liability insurance policy, I was amazed at the voluime of legalese  that was written that to my untrained mind, seemed designed to provide "outs" to the insurance company having to pay for various contingencies.   There are a lot of terms and conditions, that if not complied with, release the insurance company from financial liability.
One thing that I learned, was quite profound, and to me, non obvious, with light reading of the policy.  It is well known to anyone in the insurance business, and is usually part of any organizational liability insurance policy.   That is, the insurance policy only can be brought to bear for claims originating from parties OUTSIDE of the club membership.  That means,  in many (most)  of the "bad"  scenarios  you might  envision could happen at your next club antenna party are NOT covered.
I am not an expert in insurance matters, but it appears that:

Look at these scenarios:
Situation:  Club antenna Party, Volunteers, all club members at your club station:

1.  Club climber drops wrench, Antenna, nuts, bolts, etc, hit club member on ground, serious injuries:
NOT COVERED    Hits visiting passer-by watching the work... May be covered; IF all rules, regs were complied with, and safety briefings, hard hats, etc were used.

2.
A: Club member/climber drops antenna across power lines, electocutes club ground crew member, whose heirs sue club.   NOT COVERED

 B: Elecrocutes 3 party near scene.... Hmmmm maybe.... Did the proximity to the power line break any laws/rules/regulations/reasonable diligence to safety?   

3. Club antenna falls, hits club member's car, and causes auto accident by passers by.
Pasers-by sue; Club is probably  covered,  Club member's car damages. Sues Club; Not covered

4. Club antenna tower falls, crosses over property line, damages Neighbor's roof.
Hmmm... Maybe covered.....Permits in order?  Engineers Stamps in order?  Setbacks complied with?
Soil testing results available?   

5. Club antenna falls in the night, hits power lines, fries the club station equipment, completely
NOT COVERED    Fries a non club member's loaned rig... May Be covered.

So.... be careful out there...

All this being said, I think you will find that the ARRL Club Liability policy is by far, the best value for the money.


All the best,
Pat Barthelow    (916) 315-9271
aa6eg at hotmail.com
http://www.jamesburgdish.org


> Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 15:00:51 -1000
> From: wmunro at lava.net
> To: w4lde at cfl.rr.com; towertalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] ARRL liability insurance (tower project)
> 
> 
> Hi OM:
> 
> I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the ARRL Club liability  
> insurance program which offers reasonable charge and high dollar  
> coverage without a lot of hassle.
> 
> I wouldn't have the club over if they don't have the ARRL insurance or  
> equivalent, just as I wouldn't go out on FD with a club that doesn't  
> have it.
> 
> 73,
> 
> Warren  KH6WM
> _______________________________________________
> 
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