Insurance time again - IMBA Pete or whoever needs to chime in here

[Fattirewilly]

Shout if you just got your club insurance renewal in the mail.

Last year they basically said your club can't run its own version of IMBA trail solutions under the club policy. Well duh, if you're out there collecting money for a service, that's a different standard.

However, now there are exclusions for (and I quote):

"1) Building, designing, or maintaining trails for bicycling, hiking, or any other use
2) Operation of power machines in the conduct of club activities. This includes: motorcycles, ATV's, powersaws, chippers, Dingo's and any other power unit
3) All features built on trails owned, leased, designed by or maintained by the club

Except for the volunteer activities to maintain trails not owned or leased to the club and the club is covered by the landowners insurance coverage as volunteers. (Such as - Adopt a Trail programs or trail cleanup programs sponsored by the trail landowner or lesse)" end quote

So does this put all IMBA clubs out of building trails, for free, on public land?

Are clubs no longer allowed to organize a workday, but now depend on the land owner to organize the workday?

I suppose the tool stash is limited to clippers and trashbags?

Has anyone looked for other insurance?

[DancingBear]

Wow, that's a restrictive policy.

IMBA's been working hard to source insurance products that will cover any and all club activities, there will even be add-ons available for freeride and downhill trail construction/facilities.

We're waiting on a final OK from the insurance underwriter before we make any announcement. I'll post updates here, on IMBA's web site, and via email to all of our affiliate clubs. Stay tuned...

[jbogner]

Last year they added a separate premium for trailbuilding clubs who need primary coverage. I haven't seen the paperwork yet- are they now expanding the separate premium to all trailbuilding clubs, or are they now not covering any trailbuilding activities at all at any cost?

[LWright]

Trail building aside, we left the McKay agency and get the same basic insurance from the League of American Bicyclists for a lot less.

[Fattirewilly]

Originally Posted by jbogner

Last year they added a separate premium for trailbuilding clubs who need primary coverage. I haven't seen the paperwork yet- are they now expanding the separate premium to all trailbuilding clubs, or are they now not covering any trailbuilding activities at all at any cost?

I don't see an "add on" in my paperwork for a separate trail "building" premium, petro powered machine premium, using a clino premium, etc.

It's like they're trying to make the customer fit their box as opposed to the other way around.

[DancingBear]

Originally Posted by Fattirewilly

It's like they're trying to make the customer fit their box as opposed to the other way around.

That pretty much sums it up.

All IMBA affiliated clubs were sent an email today informing them of the changes coming from McKay and providing notice that IMBA is working on new insurance options that will actually meet their needs.

A large part of the email is a request for action. We need Loss Runs (the insurance industry lingo for an official summary of insurance claims made against an organization) from as many clubs as we can get them from in order to get a final commitment from insurance underwriters. If you are reading this post, and you are a club leader or know a club leader, please do what you can to make sure this is done.

Instructions for acquiring the Loss Runs and submitting them to IMBA are included in the email. I'm not going to post the email here because it contains many phone numbers and email addresses, but I will gladly supply a copy of the email upon request.

Ryan AT IMBA Dot com

I will continue to post updates here as they become available.

[jmitchell13]

Thanks DancingBear, we recieved the email earlier today.

The McKay policies are due for renewal on Oct 15th. In order for clubs to not have a lapse in coverage this leaves ~4weeks for:
1) Everyone to get their Loss Runs back from Lexington and sent to IMBA.
2) IMBA to tally all the info and forward that onto whomever they are working with.
3) Whomever IMBA is working with to review the info and have a final commitment.
4) IMBA affiliated clubs to apply for the new policy.
5) Insurance company to approve applications and issue insurance binders.

It seams unlikely that all of this will happen within the next 4 weeks. McKay/Lexington will be overwhelmed with the Loss Run requests, then the new insurance company will be overwhelmed with new applications.

Do you have any info on the turnaround time for the final commitment and policy application process?

[DancingBear]

We can't commit to a timeline yet, but we're doing our best to have things ready for October.

Thanks to all of the club leaders that have taken action on such short notice! This wouldn't work without you.

I'll post any new info here.

[Ken in KC]

Originally Posted by LWright

Trail building aside, we left the McKay agency and get the same basic insurance from the League of American Bicyclists for a lot less.

I don't understand. So you have a policy with LAB that includes trail building activities or are you saying that you have a policy that doesn't include trail building activities?

If it's the latter, then the policy won't work for a majority of IMBA organizations.

[DancingBear]

The LAB policy is an athletic club policy, intended to cover group rides and social events. It does not, to my knowledge, cover trailbuilding activities.

[LWright]

Sorry for any confusion. No trail building covered by the LAB insurance, at least not the standard policy. Could not hurt to ask the company about such coverage though if you are serious about shopping around. The club and event insurance are both less expensive than McKay.
If LOBO were to build a trail it would have to be under an agencies (State Parks) umbrella.
How many clubs would really need the trail builders coverage?
Good question for IMBA to research. They could also suggest other options, such as partnering with an agency.
Just random thoughts,
Lyle

[jmitchell13]

Originally Posted by DancingBear

We can't commit to a timeline yet, but we're doing our best to have things ready for October.

Thanks to all of the club leaders that have taken action on such short notice! This wouldn't work without you.

I'll post any new info here.

Ok, thanks! Sent our request in last night.

[DancingBear]

Update:

We have 2 new contacts to send Loss Run requests to:

Dhanesh.Patel@chartisinsurance.com
AIRiskOperations@chartisinsurance.com

If you have received an email from Chartis/Lexington stating that the request needs to be sent to AI Risk Management, please send the request to the above addresses.

I'm on my way to SSWC09 in Durango, but I'll be checking in regularly.

Thanks again for everyone's help and support in getting this thing done.

Cheers,

Ryan

[LWright]

I checked, NO trails building coverage with League of American Bicyclist.
"Hello Lyle,

Our program currently does not offer coverage for trail building, maintenance, or clean up. These activities open up a lot more exposure than our program is geared to cover at this time.

My best advise to you would be to find a local insurance agent that sells commercial insurance to see if they may have a market for such exposures.

Sorry I couldnt be of more help. Thank you for your business!

Account Representative, Policy Services
American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services, Inc.
260-673-1252 Direct
260-672-8835 Fax

Proud Sponsor of America's Pastimes and Future Times ®"

[mnwfrank]

If your club does any type of organized trail work, (maintenance, construction, design, etc) your club insurance needs to expressly cover the activity. State volunteer agreements typically have limits as to what they will cover (such as worker's comp) and the club insurance is necessary to cover liability risks.

[redriderbb]

This is a good discussion and it seems now may be a good time for all of us out there to look into insurance options. IMBA being an option in the future, a fear of insurance laps is a very valid concern. Perhaps it would be a good idea for clubs that need insurance, guaranteed, would be benefited by signing up for the LAB policy, then speaking with a local insurance company to look into Commercial Liability insurance, typically underwritten as a landscaping policy. Trust the opinion of whoever your insurance agent is.

It seems like in the long term this option may overall be a cheaper one as well. The IMBA policy will be a national policy where as most clubs will only be building locally which will greatly reduce the exposure and cost for a "CGL" policy. My costs are fairly high for a national coverage of CGL, and I have been told that staying localized would "greatly reduce those costs."

This brings up another point, that local clubs could also look into using a professional builder as the "crew leader" for their projects, thus shifting the risk onto the shoulders of a professional. The bonus to a for profit operation, as opposed to non-profits, is they have the revenue to cover such expenses as proper insurance and understand proper safety protocol during workdays.

Just my $.02

[Mark E]

I'll ask Dancing Bear to get back on this thread (he's on the road today), but for now I can clear up a few things:

1) The insurance package IMBA is working on for clubs will not be a "national policy." It will be an insurance product designed for local mountain bike clubs and their trailbuilding events.

2) IMBA will have its guidance out on the new insurance options soon -- likely by midweek.

3) Our research tells us that characterizing trailbuilding as landscaping can lead to problems -- they are not the same thing.

4) Regarding redriderbb's closing statements, IMBA believes that local clubs can and will have access to "proper insurance" and that volunteer clubs can and do "understand proper safety protocol."

Look for Dancing Bear's followup tomorrow.

[redriderbb]

Mark,

I hope Ryan had fun in Durango, I know all of my friends did. In reference to a few things.

(3) I will leave the proper underwriting of policies in the hands of insurance companies. If you have a written dialog between a customer and an insurance agent that is truthful and up to date, the policy advised by that agent will be the best policy they can provide. If there are errors, the insurance agency carries the responsibility for those mistakes and carries insurance to cover themselves, professional liability policy. I will continue to listen to the advice of the insurance agency I have been working with for years now.

(4) This is an argument I would rather not delve too deeply into, but I will state that it is rare I work with volunteer groups who are utilizing proper OSHA protocol, where as when working with professionals there is typically a stronger drive to follow proper protocol, as they have something very substantial at risk, ie. their business. This argument is purely one of semantics, however. I am simply trying to illustrate that IMBA insurance is not the sole option for clubs out there.

I do not mean any disrespect to the organization, I am simply trying to illustrate the multiple options. Again, I think this is a very important topic for many people, including some so called "pro builders" out there, to review and understand. One bad lawsuit that was not properly insured would be detrimental to many of the great movements out there.

I hope my imput is not seen as a gripe. If so I apologize.

[Mark E]

No problem -- I appreciate the feedback.

Agree that good coverage is paramount, and also that the policy IMBA is helping pull together will not be the only option clubs have ... we hope that it will be a readily accessible and good one though.

-- Mark

[Ken in KC]

Originally Posted by redriderbb

Mark,

I hope Ryan had fun in Durango, I know all of my friends did. In reference to a few things.

(3) I will leave the proper underwriting of policies in the hands of insurance companies. If you have a written dialog between a customer and an insurance agent that is truthful and up to date, the policy advised by that agent will be the best policy they can provide. If there are errors, the insurance agency carries the responsibility for those mistakes and carries insurance to cover themselves, professional liability policy. I will continue to listen to the advice of the insurance agency I have been working with for years now.

(4) This is an argument I would rather not delve too deeply into, but I will state that it is rare I work with volunteer groups who are utilizing proper OSHA protocol, where as when working with professionals there is typically a stronger drive to follow proper protocol, as they have something very substantial at risk, ie. their business. This argument is purely one of semantics, however. I am simply trying to illustrate that IMBA insurance is not the sole option for clubs out there.

I do not mean any disrespect to the organization, I am simply trying to illustrate the multiple options. Again, I think this is a very important topic for many people, including some so called "pro builders" out there, to review and understand. One bad lawsuit that was not properly insured would be detrimental to many of the great movements out there.

I hope my imput is not seen as a gripe. If so I apologize.

Thank you for your input and perspective. Not seen as a gripe on my end. Valuable suggestions.

Thanks,

[jmitchell13]

Originally Posted by Mark E

No problem -- I appreciate the feedback.

Agree that good coverage is paramount, and also that the policy IMBA is helping pull together will not be the only option clubs have ... we hope that it will be a readily accessible and good one though.

-- Mark

One point of clearification, McKay does offer coverage for clubs that are responsible for trail maintainance and trail building, the club I'm in has it. It is offered as a secondary policy beyond the standard bike club policy. However, there is an additional premium for this.

I believe DancingBear/IMBA is looking into alternate insurance providers to find a lower cost option, not an option because one already exsists.

[willtsmith_nwi]

Originally Posted by jmitchell13

One point of clearification, McKay does offer coverage for clubs that are responsible for trail maintainance and trail building, the club I'm in has it. It is offered as a secondary policy beyond the standard bike club policy. However, there is an additional premium for this.

I believe DancingBear/IMBA is looking into alternate insurance providers to find a lower cost option, not an option because one already exsists.

We had it ... last year. The new letter that went out has some very confusing language. It basically says that if your landowner will cover your trailbuilding activities, than they will cover you. In other words, if you already have coverage, than you will have it.

So McCay wants to cover us for $300 per year against people slipping on banana peals and falling at group meetings where the host site of the meeting would be liable. They're also happy to cover us on informal group rides when we're riding under park insurance. In other words, McCay is very happy to take your $300 and give nothing in return.

I'll wait patiently for the new IMBA guidelines. Something tells me McKay will not be returning my email request for clarification.

[jbogner]

Last year the additional $500 charge was for clubs that had "hold harmless" language in their agreements with land owners, and that makes perfect sense from an underwriting standpoint- that "hold harmless" language means that your club's insurance policy is the first line of defense in any lawsuit, and that your insurance will pay for the defense of the landowner in the event the landowner is sued. Your insurance insures you *and* the landowner. I was actually happy that they split it out that way since we don't have that language in our agreement with NYC Parks, and I'd rather not pay higher overall rates just to cover the other IMBA clubs that do.

Is that additional add-on policy not being offered this year? Or is it being expanded to all clubs that build trails whether they have hold harmless language in their agreements or not?

[jmitchell13]

Originally Posted by willtsmith_nwi

We had it ... last year. The new letter that went out has some very confusing language. It basically says that if your landowner will cover your trailbuilding activities, than they will cover you. In other words, if you already have coverage, than you will have it.

So McCay wants to cover us for $300 per year against people slipping on banana peals and falling at group meetings where the host site of the meeting would be liable. They're also happy to cover us on informal group rides when we're riding under park insurance. In other words, McCay is very happy to take your $300 and give nothing in return.

I'll wait patiently for the new IMBA guidelines. Something tells me McKay will not be returning my email request for clarification.

Yea, I guess I need to talk with McKay for clearification on this also.

[Honkey]

I nearly peed my pants, laughing my a$$ off when I read that -McKay was pleased to renew our club's coverage at no extra cost- but excluded all trailbuilding activities... What a joke.

You exclude the (by far) greatest risk to the insurer and not significantly drop the premium cost? Needless to say, we will be shopping around.

[joer]

You have to contact McKay Insurance to request the form for submitting details about your club activity for trail construction. Here's the copy we got via email and have submitted... (no word yet on cost - think they are still trying to find underwriters)...

Information needed to secure a quote is as follows:



Name of club or organization:

State:

Contact:

Contact Phone Number:

Contact E-mail:

Number of club Members:

Cost of work subcontracted: With Certificates of Insurance $ _________

Without Certificate of Insurance: $ ________________

Any paid employees of the club? Payroll annually $ __________

Type of construction and percentages:

Grading of Land _____ Bridge Building ___________________

Structures ____ (Give examples of types of structures built) Jumps, Stunts _______

Are you required to hold other harmless or indemnify them for your negligence? If yes, in what amount? $______________________

Types of equipment used:

Do you own or lease the equipment:

If you own, do you have a policy covering the equipment:

How many miles of trail maintained:

If club builds trails –

Do they own the property:

Do they lease the property:

Do they design trails – if so need the fees associated with the design

[joer]

Originally Posted by jbogner

Last year the additional $500 charge was for clubs that had "hold harmless" language in their agreements with land owners, and that makes perfect sense
*snip*
Is that additional add-on policy not being offered this year? Or is it being expanded to all clubs that build trails whether they have hold harmless language in their agreements or not?

I asked our McKay Insurance agent the same question.

This new additional coverage policy for clubs who do trail maintenance/building replaces last years "hold harmless" premium policy. Basically, it sounds like you submit the form with details about your trail construction activity and indicate if there is an "indemnification" clause (and what amount is stipulated)... and then you get a quote for a premium based on the details. It does make sense. Some clubs are engaged in trail construction from the design and building to ongoing maintenance, and others just doing simply maintenance... Different coverage is needed based on what activity the club is doing.

Just hoping the premium isn't way out of the ballpark for what we can afford!

[sick4surf]

We have a "hold harmless" agreement that I sent to MacKay and there was no extra charge so I signed it.

However, a recent "adopt a preserve" agreement triggered an extra charge but luckily I sent the agreement to MacKay BEFORE it was signed it. Unfortunately, we cannot sign such an agreement or any MOU's or MOA's due to higher insurance prices.

We've never had a claim against us since we started in 1990.

Waiting for word from IMBA on the new program. We may have to join the local hiking club and go in with their insurance plan if it's cost prohibitive.

[DancingBear]

Update and background:

First off, thanks to everyone for the MASSIVE response to our request that you acquire loss runs. The insurance underwriter has agreed, largely because of the overwhelming number of requests, to provide one summary report of all IMBA affiliates' loss runs. You no longer need to persue loss runs for your club or forward them to Scott Chapin at RJF.

IMBA has been working for some time to develop insurance alternatives to McKay, largely at the request of our affiliate clubs. It's been challenging because the insurance industry does not have much experience with what we do. Mountain bike clubs are fairly unique in our scope of work. And in these trying times, underwriters are weary to write new policies, especially if they're unfamiliar with the risk. This has required us to invest a lot of time in lobbying and educating insurance professionals so that they understand what we do and where our exposures exist.

We had planned to make the insurance a package deal with Affiliate dues or the Chapter revenue share, in an attempt to keep costs down and simplify the process for clubs to get insurance. We planned to launch the new program as part of the Chapter program at our 2010 Summit.

The changes at McKay caught us somewhat by surprise, so we cranked back the timeline and changed the parameters for the insurance program (basically removing IMBA as the policy faciliatator for now) in an effort to avoid any gaps in coverage come October 15th.

So where are we now? RJF Insurance representatives are meeting with several potential underwriters to source the insurance products that we need. We've put together a compelling argument for taking a risk on underwriting mountain bike club policies. IMBA and RJF are confident that policies will be available in time for the October 15 insurance renewal, but we'll know more early next week.

And I'll keep posting updates as they come.

- Ryan

[Biker75]

Thanks for the updates & work on this DB...pretty daunting stuff for the 'average' club to comprehend, digest & come up w/ a solution for.
JohnW
BRMBA

[jsg]

Sounds like this is progressing well. Our local club will be impacted.

IMO, if one of the prior posters is trying to suggest insuring construction of technical trail features as 'landscaping,' that is foolish at best. You're asking for a mid-term policy cancellation or denial of coverage at the first claim. Your carrier needs to understand the nature of the risk. If your agent does not understand or is misrepresenting the nature of the club activities, you are playing a dangerous game. You cannot rely on the agent's E & O coverage to come in and save you.

[redriderbb]

Okay, lets get into this discussion a little deeper. Is anyone in the current discussion an insurance agent? If so, can you please lay down how underwriting and insurance coverages work. I have spoken to my insurance agent a number of times over the last three years of carrying coverage from them and they have underwritten my policy as Landscaping/Trail Clearing with language that denotes what I do. I am not a club, but a for-profit trail/park contractor. When asked for my insurance certificate from various agencies, I have produced one that was satisfactory to them. So, why doesn't this work? I have never been dropped, and seem to have a full discourse with my insurer. Do you not like the language because it is what IMBA says? Or does anyone actually sling insurance for a living. I have shopped around and find that this is the best coverage, nationally, for me at a decent deal. I am curious to see what IMBA comes up with as much as anyone else, but have limited resources to research this kind of thing. If anyone has first hand knowledge as to why this type of coverage doesn't work, I would love to hear it. (ie. your club did get a claim filed against it and the carrier didn't cover you, or an agency did not allow your club to do work because of this type of insurance.) I feel like we have opened Pandoras box and still don't know that there was anything wrong with the current system. Please someone, with first hand knowledge, fill me in.

Thanks,
Ben

[jsg]

Ben: I hope my post did not come off harsh.

I've been in the insurance industry for 20 years, though not directly involved in liability claims for many years. I am not an agent. By posting here I am not speaking on behalf of my employer or giving legal advice or insurance advice.

It's important that your carrier understand exactly what you do so that they know exactly what sort of risks they are insuring, and what sort of claims they may be facing. Insurance is priced based on the nature of the business, using books of classification codes, such as 'retail dry cleaner'; 'bicycle sales', 'residential drywall contractor', etc. MTB/BMX trail construction does not fit in the standard classifications, so I expect they slotted you into the closest category - landscaping.

If your carrier believes that you do landscaping and tree clearing, what sort of claims might they expect as part of your operations? Perhaps your crew person backs the digger into a house, or runs into a passerby, or perhaps a tree is felled onto something or somebody.

There are exposures in your business that they are not expecting. Suppose you construct a technical trail feature such as a bridge. Later a rider falls from the feature and sustains an injury. He or his attorney alleges that the bridge was not designed correctly, or was not constructed correctly, and you as the contractor were negligent. You could theoretically be found liable for the injuries. Your insurance carrier would never expect this sort of claim to arise out of a lanscaping project.

If your carrier is aware of exactly what you do, and you have that in writing, you may be ok, but trail building is certainly not the same as landscaping. If they think you lay sod and build retaining walls, and they get a claim for a rider falling off a techincal trail feature, they could try to deny you coverage for the claim, or pay the claim, and drop you immedidately after.

Your insurance certificate has nothing to do with it, it just confirms the existence of insurance, it has nothing to do with the underwriting of the policy.

Again, I am not providing you with insurance advice, just trying to explain how this works.

[Megashnauzer]

so we can ride the trail and be insured but we can't fix the trail and be insured. what happens if we get hurt because we didn't fix the trail?

[DancingBear]

JSG hit it on the head, thanks for breaking that down for us.

Ben, the McKay policy does not work because they have excluded trailwork from the club policy (unless the LM names the club as insured, in which case, the club doesn't actually need the insurance). No Pandoras Box to it. I read your post and don't know if you are talking about club insurance or for-profit business insurance. They are separate issues.

Latest update:
Our insurance partners have met with several underwriters that are interested in the program. Now we must provide the Loss Runs to the underwriters so that they can develop the policy and create a pricing structure. Our current underwriters have promised to provide the Loss Runs this week. The delay is because IMBA affiliate clubs have been placed on the same policy with other sports groups and race promotors, so our initial Loss Run report showed HUGE claims that had nothing to do with mountain bike clubs. The current underwriter and agent claim that the process of unraveling these claims is complicated and time consuming.

On a side note, the practice of combining our group with other, unrelated groups on the same policy has raised some eyebrows with our insurance partners, and it's not how we will operate going forward.

Also, an important issue to understand is that we, the community of mountain bike clubs, will get a better rate on our general liability insurance if we can come to an underwriter as a large group. So the more clubs we bring into the new program, the better it will be for all clubs.

Of course, I will post any new info as it comes.

Cheers,

Ryan

[DancingBear]

One issue that has come up is that of clubs building trail for money.

This policy will not cover fee-based trail construction. Underwriters see volunteer activities as distinctly different from fee based activities. A club that builds a trail for a fee risks the underwriter denying claims that may come in related to that trail and activities surrounding the construction/maintenance of that trail.

However, the policy will cover events that raise funds (even time trials if the competitors are club members), so there's some grey area that we are discussing with the agent.

Clubs that do provide fee-based trail construction will need professional liability coverage, and should build the cost of that coverage into their fees. IMBA sees fee-based construction as an opportunity for clubs to enjoy a win-win, and we plan to work towards supporting this activity, but it's an issue that much larger than just insurance, so it's something we'll tackle in the coming year with help from our affiliate club partners.

Of course, I'll post more info when we know more.

- Ryan

[Ken in KC]

Originally Posted by DancingBear

JSG hit it on the head, thanks for breaking that down for us.

Ben, the McKay policy does not work because they have excluded trailwork from the club policy (unless the LM names the club as insured, in which case, the club doesn't actually need the insurance). No Pandoras Box to it. I read your post and don't know if you are talking about club insurance or for-profit business insurance. They are separate issues.

Latest update:
Our insurance partners have met with several underwriters that are interested in the program. Now we must provide the Loss Runs to the underwriters so that they can develop the policy and create a pricing structure. Our current underwriters have promised to provide the Loss Runs this week. The delay is because IMBA affiliate clubs have been placed on the same policy with other sports groups and race promotors, so our initial Loss Run report showed HUGE claims that had nothing to do with mountain bike clubs. The current underwriter and agent claim that the process of unraveling these claims is complicated and time consuming.

On a side note, the practice of combining our group with other, unrelated groups on the same policy has raised some eyebrows with our insurance partners, and it's not how we will operate going forward.

Also, an important issue to understand is that we, the community of mountain bike clubs, will get a better rate on our general liability insurance if we can come to an underwriter as a large group. So the more clubs we bring into the new program, the better it will be for all clubs.

Of course, I will post any new info as it comes.

Cheers,

Ryan

Ryan,

Thank you for staying on top of this and keeping us informed. Figuring out insurance for a single entity is a pain, figuring it out for all of us can't be that much fun.

[jsg]

Originally Posted by DancingBear

JSG hit it on the head, thanks for breaking that down for us.
On a side note, the practice of combining our group with other, unrelated groups on the same policy has raised some eyebrows with our insurance partners, and it's not how we will operate going forward.

Back when these programs were developed, our clubs' activities were not that different than road bike clubs, so maybe at that time it made sense to pool the exposures.

[DancingBear]

Dear Club Leaders,

First off, thanks for your questions, support, and patience throughout the process of sourcing insurance alternatives for IMBA's affiliate clubs. We really couldn't make this work without your help.

We now have a firm commitment from a nationwide insurance underwriter and we plan to start the process of enrolling clubs into the IMBA/RJF insurance option this week. Tomorrow, affiliate clubs will receive an email announcing the underwriter, describing the new program with pricing, and providing a comparison to the McKay/Lexington insurance option. The email will include a survey that we will need you to complete as soon as possible.

We have worked closely with RJF Insurance to make sure they fully understand all the activities that IMBA affiliated clubs participate in, and RJF has designed a program that provides the coverage needed to protect club and individual member’s assets. RJF went to many different carriers to find the best program for the best pricing.

So, the point of this message is to be ready for tomorrow's message. Your quick action will be critical to avoiding gaps in club insurance coverage.

Cheers,

Ryan Schutz

IMBA Field Programs Manager and Rocky Mountain Regional Director

[DancingBear]

Dear Club Leaders,

Our insurance partner, RJF Insurance, is ready to provide insurance to trailbuilding clubs around the United States. Please read the following communication from Scott Chapin at RJF Insurance and quickly complete the survey form linked at the bottom of the page.

Once the survey has been recieved by RJF Insurance, you will be promptly contacted by an agent of RJF who will provide a copy of the policy and policy pricing.

Cheers,

Ryan



Greetings,

As most of you already know, IMBA and RJF Agencies have been working together to build an alternative General Liability program that will protect the IMBA Clubs from potential liability suits and litigation.

The current Lexington program excludes the following critical exposures to loss:
a. Building, designing or maintaining any trails for bicycling, hiking or any other use.
b. Operation of power machines in the conduct of club activities. This includes motorcycles, ATVs, power saws, chippers, Dingos or any other power unit.
c. All features built on trails owned, leased, designed by or maintained by the club.

Of course, those activities are a big part of what many IMBA Clubs do. I personally know this because I am an avid single-track rider. I help build hybrid-mechanized trails for the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association. (I don’t get to run a mini-dozer… They only let me use the brush cutter and hand tools.) I also assist our club with fundraising activities.

RJF Agencies has six offices, and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. We write a National Bicycle Retail Shop insurance program within our programs division. I became involved with IMBA a couple months ago when I was invited to do a presentation on the Economic Impact of Trail Building. The audience was a group of local politicians and business owners from Cayuna, MN, a city where the IMBA plans to build an IMBA Ride Center.

We have worked closely with IMBA to make sure we fully understand all of the activities that IMBA clubs participate in. With their help, we designed a program that provides the coverage needed to protect the clubs as well as the individual member’s assets. We went to many different insurance carriers to find the best designed program with the most competitive pricing.



Coverage information

The carrier we will be utilizing is: Interstate Insurance, a subsidiary of Fireman's Insurance.

This program will provide coverage for (but not limited to):
a. Trail Building, including some man-made features (underwriting approval)
b. Club Time Trials (DH and XC)
c. Trail Maintenance
d. Fundraisers (per underwriting approval)
e. Club Social Events
f. Group Rides


Your individual premiums will be contingent upon whether you steward or construct trails, and whether you have created any manmade obstacles or articulating structures such as teeter-totters. The pricing of this new program is very competitive, especially in view of key coverage additions that are needed and required.

In order to make sure we are providing the proper coverage for each club, we need your help. Please complete the survey linked below immediately. Thank you for your assistance and support in developing a program better suited for your needs.

Sincerely,

Scott Chapin, RJF Agencies, Inc.

Please go to the following link to comple the insurance survey: go.imba.com/insurancesurvey

You may need to cut and paste the address into the browser.

[cjohnson]

been unable to use the link and unable to respond to ryan via email. imba server down?

[jmitchell13]

Originally Posted by cjohnson

been unable to use the link and unable to respond to ryan via email. imba server down?

Same here...

[DancingBear]

Thanks for the heads-up, I'm working on it.

- Ryan

[DancingBear]

Ahhh, there's nothing like the feeling of a fumble at the one yard line.

All of IMBA's interactive pages are part of our go.imba.com domain, basically a separate website that lives within our static www.imba.com domain, and the entire go.imba.com domain is currently down. Surveys are part of the go.imba.com domain, and that's why the survey link is not working.

We're working on getting it back online ASAP, and we'll probably switch to a different survey format if the problem isn't rectified in the next two hours.

Thanks again for your patience, I'll post up as soon as the website is live again.

- Ryan

[DancingBear]

Alright, the website is back up and the survey form is active.

Go to go.imba.com/insurancesurvey to complete the survey and begin the enrollment process.

Thanks for your patience and support,

Ryan

[jbogner]

Thanks Ryan. Filled out the form. Love the page that pops up once you submit, touting the Highbridge trails...

[gasgas]

I filled out the survey last week. I was just curious how long it might take before getting something back? I know they are probably swamped with inquiries. Thanks!

[Fattirewilly]

Originally Posted by gasgas

I filled out the survey last week. I was just curious how long it might take before getting something back? I know they are probably swamped with inquiries. Thanks!

+1....

[willtsmith_nwi]

I filled out a similar survey from McKay and it took a week.

[mergs]

survey done for JORBA. easy, took me longer to locate the affiliate nr than to fill out the survey

expiration of our McKay plan is quickly approaching (15th?). so we're looking forward to being able to get a quote from new the carrier asap.

luckily the new carrier's product, with its apparent coverage of machine built trails, ttfs, etc is perfect timing for NJ as these issues are looming on our horizon. which is sweet. the "chapter issue" with mckay was problematic as well.

thanks imba for sorting this out for your affiliates!