10 replies to this topic

[Jeff B]

I posted this question below too but I need a quick survey. Does your club/society host private group and/or public events and if so, what, if any, type of insurance do you carry? General liability, liability for officers/board members, what amounts and so forth.

Approximately how much does it cost?

Thanks a bunch!

Jeff

[Jason B]

Our observatory is covered under the liability policy for the entire Parks Dept that is the owner of the facility. I don't know much more about it. I am sure you would want at least a general liability policy.

[killdabuddha]

Form an LLC and charge everyone a penny. Should make an interestin test case.

[StarGeazer]

Intrestingly, our club (society) just did a financial review at our last meeting and liability insurance came up.

For your club or society to register with the Astronomical League, liability insurance is required - so I am told. I don't know the amount of coverage, but I believe the policy is like $200 per year.

[killdabuddha]

The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. (Sorry. Couldn't resist. And apologies to takin Henry VI so egregiously outa context. Besides, lawyers gotta eat too, and their young are not always available.)

So it's required for club membership to the Astronomical League, and in another instance, but for an observatory, provided for under other coverage. I take it yer considerin forming yer own club? Are you lookin for a survey, or for state/local law/ordinance? Or maybe yer just gonna hedge yer bets/try to immunize yerself and are lookin for the best rates? I mite be willin to do a quick legal search. We mite wanna form a club too, and it isn't as tho you can just have everyone sign a waiver of their legally protected interests/rights.

[GeneT]

Form an LLC and charge everyone a penny. Should make an interestin test case.

We formed an LLC. Before that, our club had insurance. Insurance will cost a few hundred dollars a year. You must have it, or your membership could be sued should someone get hurt at a sponsor event. Contact a local insurance agent for more information.

[ebusinesstutor]

Our society does public events and our liability insurance is $2 million and costs us $600 per year. We are in Canada.

[amicus sidera]

Form an LLC and charge everyone a penny. Should make an interestin test case.

We formed an LLC. Before that, our club had insurance. Insurance will cost a few hundred dollars a year. You must have it, or your membership could be sued should someone get hurt at a sponsor event. Contact a local insurance agent for more information.

Good point. It's my understanding that in the event of an accident involving a club that is not a LLC and where the damages exceed the insurance coverage limit, that the individual members are then collectively liable for the uninsured amount. I've also heard that, even with a LLC, if it can be proved that the directors did not perform due diligence, then they (the directors) can be held liable.

There is a club that I have refused to join for many years now, as their replies to my inquiries regarding their LLC staus and insurance coverage have been vague at best... this group performs a great deal of outreach, public nights, etc., and to my knowledge have not had an accident occur - yet. That said, I have no desire to become a defendant in a multi-party lawsuit due to lack of corporate status, or inadequate or non-existent insurance coverage.

[Rlakjdlsj]

We are a 501c3 non-profit. We do a lot of outreach including operating the scope at DU Chamberlin Observatory and have a basic business policy which provides $1 million in liability coverage plus other coverages for property and many other business practices. It costs around $600/yr. One of the advantages of being a 501c3 is if you are volunteering for a 501c3 there is also liability protection provided by the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997:
http://en.wikipedia....Protection_Act.

Of course these only provide protection against simple negligence. If one of your volunteers does something really stupid that is gross negligence, all bets are off.

Ron
President, Denver Astronomical Society

[killdabuddha]

Wonderful.

And Yay! Another 12.5" f/6 (Course, the Cave says it all.)

[Joe Lalumia]

Our club has liability insurance of $1 million, and also our dark site dome and other out buildings and equipment are insured against common hazards for their full value. Additionally we carry Officer and Board member insurance.

About $2800 per year-

Joe Lalumia
President
Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas
TAS of Oklahoma

PS-- it's the property insurance that will cost you.