Liability Insurance for education

[BWSmith]

There are many of us that provide reptile education services. This may be just your kid's school or more formal displays for the general public. One big issue that wehave however is liability. A simple case of some kid getting salmonella (they automatically ASSUME it came from a reptiles) could cost tens of thousands of dollars in a lawsuit. Generally there is very little money involved in education and it is not feasible for most to get liability insurance.

I pose this question. If there were a central national organization of wildlife educators which carried a group liability insurance policy that would cover you, would you be willing to pay membership fees? If so, how much.

 

[WebSlave]

Actually I think this same dilemma could face anyone involved in reptiles in any public circumstance, including attending shows or shipping them to the public as merchandise.

 

[Lucille]

There are many employers who are now offering legal insurance as a fringe benefit: I and my family have coverage at the cost of about $10 month.

Any group of people can approach legal insurance companies for coverage, and although I have never heard of individuals joining this way, it certainly might be worth trying.

This may be more useful than a liability insurance policy for education, just my 2 cents, because of the broader spectrum at a still competitive cost.

 

[hill4803]

prepaid legal services are not the same thing as liability insurance. Prepaid legal would only be helpful if you land in jail, get sued or have a dispute. Liability insurance will (hopefully) keep you from losing everything you have, should something go bad while doing the educational presentation.

 

[coyote]

Would Homeowner's insurance cover any of this?

When I first read the title of this thread my first thought was whether the Educational System should carry liability insurance. Right now, in regards to certain practices and decisions made in my local school district, I think they should carry educational liability insurance.

 

[Lucille]

Marjee, most people who work for a school system are covered by the school system for liability suits when they are doing what they are hired to do. The problem with this is that liability is construed narrowly, as no insurance company wants to say 'Yeah, we'll pay for anything that happens to you'.
For instance, as long as I am following school policies and doing my job, as my district defines it, in an ordinary and prudent way, I am covered.
But once we start talking about reptiles, I would think that many school systems would not cover, as reptiles are defined as wild animals in most jurisdictions and in many jurisdictions damage by a wild animal carries a strict liability which limits many defenses. Are there companies which would write liability insurance for strict liability cases? Perhaps, but IMHO the premiums would be very high and there would be many restrictions.
That is why I mentioned legal insurance: for what is many times a modest cost, you can have at least some backup if something happens and the liability for reptile damage in a particular instance is declined by an insurance company.

 

[Junkyard]

Homeowners insurance could cover this. Usually the way they like to have it is if you or a family member are bit or "contract" salmonella from reptiles you are on your own. If some one is not related to you, they will be covered by the insurance. Of course each company is different. So all in all you can have coverage, you just need to ask.

Personally I would like pet vet insurance for all my reptiles, but at the moment I would have to pay thousands a month because they do not provide group insurance.

 

[BWSmith]

I am referring to educational programs. most of these would not be taking place at your home. I also should have mentioned that I am referring to a half million dollar policy.

 

[Tim Cole]

This has been on my mind also...

B.W.,
I like this idea. If it gets off the ground I would participate. I make my living strictly by doing Educational Programs. Knock on wood, I've never had any incidents and I've been doing programs since Grade School! By the way, how did you socialize that Green Iguana you sent Adam Dawson? LOL

 

[Griz]

Homeowners insurance could cover this. Usually the way they like to have it is if you or a family member are bit or "contract" salmonella from reptiles you are on your own. If some one is not related to you, they will be covered by the insurance. Of course each company is different. So all in all you can have coverage, you just need to ask.

Personally I would like pet vet insurance for all my reptiles, but at the moment I would have to pay thousands a month because they do not provide group insurance.

Speaking from first hand knowledge (I own RJT Consulting an insurance firm here in Illinois), homeowner's insurance will not cover you. Reptiles are considered exotic animals and the mere fact that you keep them in or on your dwelling constitues a violation of the policy. Exotic animals, in general, are specifically excluded in the vast majority of homeowners policies. Therefore, anything that occurs which can be directly attributed to the reptiles, will not be covered. In addition, if the insurance company finds out that you have exotic pets, they have the option of cancelling your coverage.

Griz

 

[sirenofthestorm]

If I ever were to do educational presentations again, I would participate in this, it is a very good idea.

 

[Junkyard]

Speaking from first hand knowledge (I own RJT Consulting an insurance firm here in Illinois), homeowner's insurance will not cover you. Reptiles are considered exotic animals and the mere fact that you keep them in or on your dwelling constitues a violation of the policy. Exotic animals, in general, are specifically excluded in the vast majority of homeowners policies. Therefore, anything that occurs which can be directly attributed to the reptiles, will not be covered. In addition, if the insurance company finds out that you have exotic pets, they have the option of cancelling your coverage.

Griz

Well that just stinks. I was involved in a conversation with a gentleman who told me he had coverage, but he had to sign a exotic pet liability form. I ought to ask him some more questions.

I am referring to educational programs. most of these would not be taking place at your home. I also should have mentioned that I am referring to a half million dollar policy.

According to the info I was given homeowners insurance would cover you at educational programs outside your home. Now that I have been corrected, yes I think it is a great idea to have a specific coverage in an educational setting.

A $500,000 policy certainly would cover a lot. Would that be a set amount whether a person own venomous reptiles or not? Understanding that some bites can become infected, or an allergic reaction may occur. Though hospital bills would cost more for a venomous bite hospitalization compared to a nonvenomous hospitalization.

 

[Griz]

Again, speaking from personal experience, even I as an agent cannot located seperate insurance for my pets. A lot of times an agent has enough clout to secure exemptions/exceptions for certain things. Exotic pets is one thing that I have not been able to accomplish. If my home burns down tomorrow then my animals are gone. Plain and simple.

Griz

 

[BWSmith]

B.W.,
By the way, how did you socialize that Green Iguana you sent Adam Dawson? LOL

I fed it