A Summary of USOF Insurance Coverage

-- Summary provided by the VP for Club Services
 updated15 May 2009

> USOF Insurance Certificate Request Form       

USOF buys insurance covering itself and its members, chartered clubs, volunteers, and members of USOF chartered clubs. The annual cost is passed onto member clubs as part of their annual assessment. The following summary is a brief description of the coverages, conditions, and exclusions of the policies and in no way affects or alters the scope of coverages provided. For full details of terms and limitations, please refer to the actual policies.

What insurance does USOF buy for us?  There are three policies in place. One is a "Commercial General Liability" policy protecting USOF, USOF chartered clubs, USOF members, members of USOF chartered clubs, and volunteers from third-party bodily injury and property damage that the insured is held liable for as a result of negligence. The second is an "Umbrella” policy which increases the dollar limit of coverage over that provided by the underlying Commercial General Liability" policy. The third is an “Accident Medical” policy providing secondary, excess coverage to registered participants at events for covered accidental injuries.

How much are we insured for? The general liability limit offers $1 million per occurrence with a $3 million aggregate. The umbrella offers an additional $1 million coverage limit and has a $1 million aggregate. The accident medical policy has a limit of $10,000 per incident with a $1,000 deductible.

Are there deductibles?  The general liability policy has no deductible. The umbrella policy has a $10,000 retention. The accidental medical policy has a $1,000 deductible.

Who is an insured?  The “Commercial General Liability” and “Umbrella” policies state USOF chartered clubs, USOF members, and members of USOF chartered clubs as named insureds during orienteering activities. Volunteers are also insured. Registered participants at orienteering events are insured under the “Accident Medical” policy.

What is covered? The general liability and umbrella insurance provides legal liability protection from third party claims for bodily injury or property damage that may result during the member club's orienteering activities. These policies are designed to cover the usual and customary orienteering activities of a club. All commonly held orienteering events are covered, such as foot-O, ski-O, trail-O, mountain bike-O. Member clubs and individual members are also covered for rendering or failure to render health care services by non-professionals, and for the sale of foods and beverages and other products. The accident medical policy pays for medical expenses that are rendered as a result of an accidental injury that occurs during orienteering events held by the member club. This is excess over any other valid and collectible insurance that may already be in place.

What are some of the notable exclusions of the general liability and umbrella policies?  Auto liability of any kind is not covered, except for the USOF home office. Specifically, USOF has been unable to obtain what is known as Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability insurance for member clubs. The policies exclude liability for acts of sexual molestation or harassment. Downhill skiing, whitewater rafting and rock climbing are excluded. Liquor liability is excluded if you are in the business of manufacturing, distributing, selling, serving or furnishing alcoholic beverages.

My club wants to hire a van or operate a shuttle. What do you mean there is no Auto Liability coverage? Clubs are welcome to purchase their own individual Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability policies through our insurance broker. For an insurance application, contact:

Michael Richards
Bollinger Insurance

Michael.Richards@BollingerInsurance.com
800-350-8005, ext. 8284

How does the Accident Medical coverage work? If a registered participant at an orienteering event sponsored by USOF or a USOF chartered club is injured as a result of an accident during orienteering activities, this coverage will pay for covered medical expenses up to $10,000. There is a deductible of $1,000 and the benefit period is 52 weeks. This insurance is secondary, not primary, meaning that it is excess over any other valid and collectible insurance that may be already in place.

Do we have to notify the insurance company of every event?  No. Coverage applies without notice to the insurer. However, most land owners require proof of insurance in the form of a certificate of insurance. Some land owners also require an endorsement to be named an Additional Insured on the policy. To obtain a certificate of insurance and/or an “additional insured” endorsement, contact:

Bollinger Insurance
Attn:  Kathleen Galante
101 JFK Parkway
Short Hills, NJ  07078

E-mail: Kathleen.Galante@Bollingerinsurance.com
Fax:  973-921-2876
Phone:  800-350-8005, ext. 8262

Suppose I have questions about coverage?  Send an email to the USOF Vice President for Club Services, Gary Kraght, (gkraght [at] ffic.com) and he will try to supply an answer. You can also contact our insurance broker directly:

Michael Richards
Bollinger Insurance

Michael.Richards@BollingerInsurance.com
800-350-8005, ext. 8284