DISCLAIMER: Information contained in these pages explaining the insurance policy for the British Columbia chapters of the Red Hat Society are accurate as best is possible... for complete explanations refer to your policy or contact the insurance company. These pages were not written by a licensed insurance agent.
British Columbia and Ontario have insurance programs for their members of the Red Hat Society and Alberta is working on theirs.

We've done it! We now have an insurance program in place for our red hatters in B.C. - done with the full approval of the R.H.S. and assistance of the R.H.S. lawyer.

The policy will consist of the follow coverages and premium:

•        Commercial General Liability with an each occurrence limit of $2,000,000 
•        General Liability Aggregate Limit $5,000,000
•        Including Personal & Bodily Injury
•        Tenants Legal Liability $100,000
•        Medical Payments $10,000
•        Non-Owned Automobile $1,000,000
•        Including Cross Liability and Volunteers as Additional Insureds

In addition, we have two waivers written specifically for B.C. chapters of the Red Hat Society by a civil litigation lawyer.

If your chapter is interested in details, an application form or participating, please email us at bc.redhats@gmail.com

The cost of the same insurance added to your home owners policy would cost you
 $200-300/person. 

"I had heard from you previously regarding insurance, but wasn’t really interested until
my husband told me that we couldn’t afford not to get it." 

Not sure if insurance is necessary or "ridiculous"???
Please ask a lawyer his/her opinion as one chapter did recently...

Letter received…from chapter on Vancouver Island:
March 28, 2007 
My Vice-Queen and I just came back from seeing our lawyer.  I had previously emailed him all the information that you sent, plus I went on the website and sent him more details on the insurance program.  After our meeting with _**  he gave us the advice to go for it (the insurance) as the package is a good one in his estimation, plus the cost is so reasonable for each member. 

Please note that insurance policies and programs are different for each province/state and for that reason nationwide insurance is not possible for all of Canada or the U.S.A. For that reason it is impossible for the R.H.S. to offer coverage for their members. A Primary residence in the U.S.A. is protected whereby a primary home in Canada is not. Therefore, the R.H.S. fully supports our endeavour to provide our members with this coverage. We have the support of the Red Hat Society: My contact at The Red Hat Society is their lawyer, Joel Wight. Mr. Wight has been working with my lawyer here in B.C. to help us with setting up this insurance program.  Mr. Wight said in his letters to me “This will confirm that the Red Hat Society has no problem with your proceeding as outlined in your email.  Your approach is consistent with the RHS position that chapters and members should address directly any concerns they have regarding potential liability from activities and event which they plan and sponsor.  The initiative which you have shown is commendable.” And ...“You and the others who have worked with you in British Columbia to address your mutual concerns deserve all the credit. Congratulations!”

 

Chapters have "frequent hostesses" 

A term some insurers have dubbed as applicable to Queens or others in their chapter. It works like this: You may be setting up an event in a local restaurant, and happily assume that the restaurant would be liable in the event of any mishap. However, as a "frequent hostess", i.e., the person organizing the outing in the first place - you could also be named in a lawsuit just by virtue of the fact that you were arranging for everyone to gather at that venue ... in theory, you are the "hostess" for the event.
Two different insurance experts explained to us that you are wrong if you believe a restaurant's insurance would cover you and your event because it goes beyond that...
Their insurance company will come after you for reimbursement of their loss. If you have insurance coverage through your chapter then your home is protected. If you do not, then yes, your homeowners policy will cover you. You will lose your claim's free status, your insurance premium will go up but if it happened to be a SUBSTANTIAL claim, and you're not insured to cover a claim in the millions, you could possibly lose your home. Note that the laws in some states are very different and a primary residence may be protected 

LIABILITY CAN IMPACT A REIGNING QUEEN, THE PERSON WHO SENT THE NOTICE OF THE EVENT, OR SOMEONE WHO HAS TAKEN ON THE DUTY FOR THAT MONTH, or just been involved in the planning of a particular outing.    

When new members join your chapter... you will send us their name and payment of $10/each to have them added to your policy.  HAVE YOUR CHAPTER MEMBERS ALL SIGNED THEIR WAIVERS FOR B.C. CHAPTERS OF THE RED HAT SOCIETY? NOTE:  Some chapters are discovering that to enter parades and other events, they are now being asked for “proof of insurance”

CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO INDEX

Questions?
Please email by  clicking here: www.contactify.com/bcf38

Remember - When in doubt contact your own lawyer for his advice and show him a copy of the policy overage posted above.