Liability insurance for clubs
I am president of our local club. The question came up about liability insurance. Do any of the other clubs carry insurance for liability issues?
Sad but true.
Having a release of liability is great but in this sue happy world, I would recommend all clubs carry insurance, especially if the club holds events for members or the public. It will run around $400 per year for a million dollar policy. You just seen the lady that fell in the pond at the mall because she was busy texting instead of watching where she was walking. Guess what, she is suing for being stupid and no one wants to admit they are stupid. So now both her lawyer and the malls lawyers will make out like fat rats in a corn bin. It is a necessary evil (insurance) if the club has any amount of money or equipment.
About 10 years ago myself and a couple hunting buddies got together and started a ring and a jewerly finding business. (it never really took off) We did get some liability insurance and it was quite reasonable. I think we had around a quarter million dollars worth and it was only around $30.00 a month if I remember right. It was mostly for in just in case. Basically just to cover our butts. We had all the paperwork to sign off on injuries and other stuff while on their property also for recreational hunting which people found some piece of mind and did open some doors up to hunt on some land. I got a few calls. One in the winter snow where a man was throwing snowballs with his wife and children and was throwing a snowball and threw his wedding band off his finger. I drove over to his house and asked where he thought he lost it. The best parts about this hunt was the ground was frozen and no digging was required. You could follow his footsteps because his were bigger. So I got out the ole 6000 DI pro SL and ground balanced it and started looking within minutes I got a good signal and brushed the 5 or so inches of Ohio snow away and there it was . Gleaming in the white powder lied a Huge mans gold wedding band. He asked how much do I owe you and I replied nothing for I found more pleasure in his and his wifes and kids reactions and smiles than money would have bought me. A GOOD HANDSHAKE WAS ENOUGH FOR ME THAT DAY. THANKS for reading even though I got off the topic of insurance. Business cards work wonders too.
Thanks for your response. We sign release forms also, but talking to an attorney at a free legal 'law lapolooza' she said you can still be sued. The judge would probably dimiss it because of the release forms but we would still be liable for the legal fees. We were wondering if other clubs had insurance.
The clubs I have contact with has eyeryone sign a release of liability when you join, and the clubs that have mineral claims have a release signed every year.
Thanks for your response. We sign release forms also, but talking to an attorney at a free legal 'law lapolooza' she said you can still be sued. The judge would probably dimiss it because of the release forms but we would still be liable for the legal fees. We were wondering if other clubs had insurance.