NAMBA March 2021 Web

Liability and Accident Coverage (Continued from page 20) In addition to liability insurance, NAMBA provides accident coverage as well. In the late 1990’s we were concerned with the high medical costs faced by model boaters if they were injured at a NAMBA event. So many members had no medical insurance because they were between jobs, or their job did not offer such insurance. To help our members in the case of an accident, NAMBA began to provide an accident policy as well as liability coverage. This policy is through AIG, another large insurance company. PROPWASH March 2021 27 This coverage is “secondary”, which means if you already have health insurance coverage, the NAMBA insurance will pay the amount not covered by your personal insurance. The total amount of coverage through NAMBA’s accident policy is $500,000. As an example, if you are injured at a NAMBA event, such as cutting your hand on a spinning propeller, go get medical treatment. Whatever amount is not covered by your personal health policy will be covered by the NAMBA policy. But, your personal policy will be expected to pay first, then what is not covered will be sent to our insurance company. Typically, per- sonal coverage will pay almost everything, but in those cases where a member has no health insurance or limited coverage, NAMBA insurance is there. The reason behind providing accident insurance was that some members without insurance felt they had to quit NAMBA as they could not afford an accident. Over the years, NAMBA has relied on these insurance poli- cies to protect our members from lawsuits and expensive medical bills. Some insurance claims have been small and some quite large. We need each member to think safety first. Just because we have the coverage, does not mean we should take unnecessary chances. I have personally seen two serious injuries sustained by NAMBA members over the years. Both were extremely painful and while the boaters recovered fully, those experiences make us realize how dangerous it can be if we ignore safety concerns. The Traveler’s Liability coverage and the AIG Accident policy are in place for all current NAMBA members, including Single Event Members. The coverage does not apply for an accident you have running a model boat in your backyard swimming pool. But, when you are at a NAMBA event, you have the best insurance coverage provided by any model boating organization. Your membership card is proof that you are a NAMBA mem- ber and that the insurance coverage is there to protect you. Make sure to have your membership card with you at all NAMBA events, as the CD may require you to produce that card to prove you are a member. I hope you never have a serious accident.