Boy Scouts of America® Gulf Stream Council

Insurance

Important Insurance Link:

Council Accident & Sickness Brochure Link: http://www.hsri.com/BSA/docs/Brochure.pdf

Various types of insurance are provided, required of, or available to Scouting members, leaders, and chartering organizations.

• Comprehensive General Liability Insurance. This type of policy responds to allegations or claims from a third party that they suffered personal injury or property damage due to negligent action.
  
  Coverage is limited to official Scouting activities, and those activities must be consistent with the values, Charter and Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, operation manuals, and applicable literature of the Boy Scouts of America. Local councils, chartered organizations, and registered volunteers are provided with primary coverage. Scouting youth (age 17 and younger) are not insured under this policy. The insurance provided to unregistered volunteers through the general liability insurance program is excess over any other insurance the volunteer might have to his or her benefit.                                           
• Accident and Sickness. This insurance provides medical coverage to Scouting participants on an excess basis for injuries or fatalities that arise out of an official Scouting activity. For example, if a youth falls during a hike and breaks a wrist, the parent’s health coverage may pay for the ER visit minus a $500 deductible; this insurance can reimburse the $500.                                                                   
• Automobile Liability Insurance. Coverage is provided above the vehicle owner’s insurance plus any automobile liability insurance provided by a local council. Vehicles MUST be covered at the minimum amount required by the state for automobile liability. It is recommended that coverage limits are at least $100,000 combined single limit. Vehicles carrying 10 or more passengers should have at least $1,000,000 in coverage.
  Note: The use of 15-passenger vans manufactured before 2005 is prohibited.                                                        
• Coverage for Non-Owned Boats. General liability insurance coverage on an excess basis, after other applicable insurance is exhausted, is available for boat owners above their liability coverage limits. It is recommended that boats under 26 feet have at least $300,000 and boats 26 feet or over have at least $500,000.

Who is covered? All registered youth and seasonal staff are eligible; registered leaders and volunteer leaders.

The coverage provided has maximum limits it pays and a maximum benefit period, usually 52 weeks from the date of the incident. Claims should be filed with the accident and sickness carrier as soon as possible (must be submitted within 90 days of any incident), along with any other source of medical insurance or other healthcare benefits.

To process a claim, download the claim form (see downloads list below) and submit directly to HSR as instructed within the form. Questions may be directed to Nancy Maxwell at the council office.

Certificates of Insurance Requests

When another organization requests that they be provided a Certificate of Insurance, usually when a unit (pack or troop, etc.) is renting or otherwise utilizing the property or facilities of another group, a certificate can be requested using the Certificate of Insurance Request Form (see downloads area below). 

Please complete the form and return to your District Executive and allow two (2) weeks minimum for processing. Approved certificates will returned by email after processing. 

Incident Reporting

Anytime an incident occurs when persons are injured - or even when there was almost an injury (a 'near-miss'), leaders are requested to provide an Incident Report (download below). These reports are compiled to give volunteer and staff risk managers a big-picture view of risk areas so that Scouting can continue to become safer and safer. Please provide this form whenever ANY incident occurs, preferably within three days of the incident.

Unauthorized and Restricted Activities

The Boy Scouts of America’s general liability policy provides coverage for a bodily injury or property damage claim that is made and arises out of an official Scouting activity. The Guide to Safe Scouting contains a listing of unauthorized and restricted activities. Unauthorized activities are not considered official Scouting activities.

Volunteers (registered and unregistered), units, chartered organizations, and local councils are jeopardizing insurance coverage for themselves and their organization by engaging in unauthorized activities. 

Please do not put yourself at risk.

Insurance and Incident Reporting Forms