Insurance Coverage
December 2011 Update
Below are brief outlines of insurance coverages available to volunteers and chartered organizations.
Comprehensive General Liability Insurance
This coverage provides primary general liability coverage for registered volunteer Scouters with respect to claims arising out of an official Scouting activity with the exception that the coverage is excess over any insurance that may be available to the volunteer for loss arising from the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle or watercraft. This insurance is available only while the vehicle or watercraft is in the actual use of a Scouting unit and being used for a Scouting purpose. Coverage is more than $5 million for bodily injury and property damage.
The insurance provided to unregistered Scouting volunteers through the general liability insurance program is excess over any other insurance the volunteer might have to his or her benefit, usually a homeowners, personal liability, or auto liability policy.
The general liability policy does not provide indemnification or defense coverage to those individuals who commit intentional and/or criminal acts. The Boy Scouts of America does not have an insurance policy which provides defense for situations involving allegations of intentional and/or criminal acts.
Automobile Liability Insurance
All vehicles MUST be covered by a liability insurance policy. The amount of this coverage must meet or exceed the insurance requirement of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. (It is recommended, however, that coverage limits are at least $100,000 combined single limit.) Any vehicle carrying 10 or more passengers is required to have limits of $500,000 single limit. In the case of rented vehicles, coverage limit requirements can be met by combining the limits of personal coverage carried by the driver with coverage carried by the owner of the rented vehicle. All vehicles used in travel outside the United States must carry a liability insurance policy that complies with or exceeds the requirements of that country.
Chartered Organizations for Scouting Units
The general liability policy provides primary liability insurance coverage for all chartered organizations on file with the BSA for liability arising out of their chartering a traditional Scouting unit. Automobile and maritime liability coverage is provided on a secondary or excess basis. All vehicles used in Scouting activities must be covered by automobile liability insurance with limits that meet or exceed the requirements of the state in which the vehicle is licensed. All boats/vessels used in Scouting must be insured by the owner for liability exposures. The amount of coverage is determined by the size and usage of the boat. $1 million is recommended.
Chartered organizations do not need a certificate of insurance. The chartered organization endorsement is a part of the insurance policy contract and is enforceable under the policy contract.
Accident and Sickness Coverage
(Optional coverage for council or units)
Accident and sickness insurance (also known as accident and health insurance) coverage for Scouts and Scouters furnishes medical reimbursement in case of death, accident, or sickness within the policy amounts. Information regarding unit accident coverage is available through the local council.
Who is covered?
- All registered youth and seasonal staff are eligible.
- Registered leaders and volunteer leaders.
Non-Owned Boats Used in Scouting Activities
- Only general liability insurance coverage is available; no hull damage insurance is provided.
- Owners (chartering organizations or others) must carry their own liability coverage. Boats under 26 feet and donated for use in Scouting activities need to have at least $300,000 in coverage. Boats 26 feet and over should have $500,000 in coverage. Risk Management will provide certificates of insurance up to $2,000,000.
- BSA’s coverage is excess of the liability coverage ($300,000 or $500,000) carried by the owner.
- The following are examples of watercraft/boats that need not be insured by the chartering organization and others if they are to be used in an Official Scouting Activity: canoes, kayaks, rafts, catamarans and sailboats (under 26 feet). However if these watercraft are to be used for non-Scouting activities the chartering organization or others should provide liability insurance as there is no liability coverage for chartering organizations or others for non-Scouting activities.
- Watercraft owned by local councils, chartering organization and others should be licensed by USCG and the operator should be licensed if required.
Unauthorized and Restricted Activities
The Boy Scouts of America 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.
Tour Plans
Times when a tour plan must be submitted for council review include:
- Trips of 500 miles or more; or
- Trips outside of council borders (Exception: not to your council-owned property); or
- Trips to any national high-adventure base, national Scout jamboree, National Order of the Arrow Conference, the Sumitt Bechtel Reserve, or regionally sponsored event ; or
- When conducting the following activities outside of council or district events:
- Aquatics activities (swimming, boating, floating, scuba, etc.)
- Climbing and rappelling
- Orientation flights (process flying plan)
- Shooting sports
- Any activities involving motorized vehicles as part of the program (snowmobiles, boating, etc.)
- At a council's request (contact your local council for additional guidelines or regulations concerning tour plans)