We do not provide general liability
coverage for site owners for all possible
hazards which can occur at their lake,
but merely for those caused directly or
indirectly by an insured NAMBA
member. In addition, this coverage does
not cover the site owner if an uninsured
boater or a boater who has insurance
through another organization causes an
accident at the site.
And yes, NAMBA's coverage is in
effect any time you are running, not
merely at sanctioned events. This
includes practice running or
unsanctioned club or fun events.
Of course, coverage would not be valid
if you are blatantly breaking one of the
NAMBA safety regulations, such as
operating a boat while swimmers are in
the water, running while other full size
water craft are in the water, or
consuming alcoholic beverages or illegal
drugs while running a boat. In addition,
NAMBA insurance does not cover you
when you are participating in a
sanctioned event of any other
organization which has its own insurance
coverage, whether primary or secondary.
So make sure that you are confident that
the coverage provided by the sanctioning
organization is sufficient to protect you
during that event, as you will not be able
to rely on your NAMBA insurance if it
is not.
Also, please note that NAMBA
insurance does not cover you when you
are flying R/C airplanes or driving R/C
cars. This coverage had been provided a
number of years ago but has not been
part of our coverage for a number of
years. We are a model boating
organization and that is all that our
insurance covers.
PROPWASH
2
April 2014
Recently our insurance carrier audited NAMBA and many things came to light that
we either forgot or did not know. I have included a quote from a recent letter from our
insurance company.
“I still remember Jay’s (insurance underwriter) comments to me
after he attended the event. He was very impressed with the seriousness that the rules,
regulations and safety procedures were given and that impression was probably the
biggest factor in obtaining insurance from Travelers. I can also still remember Jay’s
biggest concern after attending the event was the exposure the open propellers
presented when the boats were being handled in the pits”.
The safety of our boaters and the diligent effort to enforce our rules (all rules) is
what keeps our insurance intact. We can, at any time, be visited from a field auditor at
one of our races or practice days with out notice. It is imperative that we continue to
be safe even when we don’t think anyone is looking. The attitude that we exhibit is
also of the up most importance. Remember, we have safety rules that cover,
properly
shrouded propellers
. Even on practice days it is important to follow this rule as well as
all of the other NAMBA safety rules. The auditors have visited our NAMBA web site
and many of the district web sites in order to find our race dates and locations. They
will visit our boating sites just as well since we are such an insurable oddity. BE
SAFE AT ALL TIMES AND WATCH OUT FOR EACH OTHER. NO SHORT
CUTS!!!
On a side note I will become a Grandpa soon. Maybe by the time you read this.
Natalie (my better half) and I were contemplating what we would like to be called
from our grand daughter. Natalie went with the customary NANA. After much
thought and deliberation I have chosen Grandpa THOR.
Have fun at the races and stay safe.
NAMBA Insurance Coverage Explained
Al Waters
NAMBA Executive Secretary
As we begin a new year of model boating, I thought it might be a good time to
provide a reminder of just what our insurance coverage is all about. NAMBA
membership provides you with liability and property damage coverage in the
unfortunate event that your boat should be involved in an accident in which a spectator
is injured or damage is done to someone else’s property. This coverage is $1,000,000
per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate. Of course, this does not cover damage done
to another model boat in the normal course of running. This coverage is primary
coverage, so you do not have to look first to your homeowner's policy for protection as
is the case with some of the other boating organizations. In addition, it is individual
insurance rather than site insurance, which protects you no matter where you are
running, not just at pre-approved lakes and ponds, as with some of the other
organizations. Of course, keep in mind that you are also expected to be complying
with all local and state laws and restrictions. If you are running a boat on a lake on
which you are trespassing you may not be covered. Several years ago the NAMBA
Board of Directors authorized the addition of a $1,000,000 umbrella policy to add to
the above mentioned coverages.
In addition, NAMBA offers additional
site coverage to protect the owner of the
running site with the same $2,000,000 as is
afforded the individual member. While this
is not required for the individual insurance to
be in effect, some cities and site owners
require this additional coverage. Registered
clubs may purchase this coverage at a cost of
$45.00 per year. However, please keep in
mind that NAMBA site insurance provides
insurance for, and names as an additional
insured, the site owner only when the
accident involves a NAMBA member.