Insurance Questions/Issues

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Last weekend, I attended a very large tractor show. The show host organization required proof of liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 if you wanted to ride a golf cart, UTV, "Butt-Buggy" or garden tractor around the fair grounds.

 

Today, I contacted my home/auto insurance agent and asked him about liability insurance for my GT(s) for the purpose of riding at shows. He couldn't come up with any information at this time, but said he would get back with me.

 

My question(s):

1. Do any of you have liability insurance on any of your GT's that you ride at shows?

 

2. Is the insurance a "blanket" policy where you can use ANY GT you own, or is the policy "vehicle specific" and model/serial numbers have to be on the policy?

 

3. Some show sponsors cover the insurance for you if you are a member....How many clubs do you belong to that require membership vs. personal insurance?

 

I am not opposed to the insurance, but I hate to have to indentify 1 or 2 GT's on a policy....what if I feel like taking a different tractor to a show to ride?

 

What information can you shead on this issue?

 

 

[jwl 75]

I haven't checked into this insurance  thing yet, but I  think I heard one time that it could be part of your home owners policy.  I am opposed to having to get it to cover all my tractors(50+), just so I can show  different ones at different places. I'm also opposed to having to buy a membership in a club, just to get to display my toys. Now I am in favor of anyone who's driving a golf cart, atv, gator, or a GT that's just for transport having to have proof. I think if some checking was done you would find its mostly those items that cause the problems in shows. And most of the time its kids involved.

I think I read about the show you are talking about,  and my solution to the problem is, I just wont go there, it will be their loss not mine. There's so many shows every weekend these days the displayer can be choosy about which one he wants to go to.

[KC9KAS 4,744]

My agent said that homeowners WOULD NOT cover any liability while driving at a show.

[Lane Ranger 11,383]

Ken:  I am glad you checked that question out.   I think that $500,000 liability was a little steep and seemed strange.  My guess is thinking back that part of that property (the fairgrounds) is owned by the county, part is owned by the antique tractor association.  I think the county attorney may have come up with that figure.   Some farmers may have blanket coverage of that amount but I think that this excessive and probably not enforced "across the board".  I am afraid to call my agent as they might find a policy to cover that -and I don't want it.

[Coadster32 793]

I have an umbrella policy that covers a lot of stuff. Can't see why GT's wouldn't be covered, although never thought to read up on it pertaining to this subject. If it does cover it, prob. a better way to go as it covers a big range of stuff.

[953 nut 59,701]

I too have an umbrella policy that covers anything the wife and I do that is not illegal. The cost is about $180 for a million. One like it saved a buddy of mine a bunch of money when an uninvited visitor sued for her own stupid actions, paid legal fees and took all the burden off them.

 

Did the show you attended want you to produce a copy of the policy or just state that you had one? Don't know too many people who cary a copy with them even if they have one.   

 

 

 

[neil 2,410]

I dont know if the insurance thing at shows  would apply in US as i does in UK  but to ride a garden tractor at a show here in UK you have to have public liability insurance for the tractor in question and it does not allow  blanket cover for ant other tractor . if you wanted to have a static display & you do not intend to drive around the show then this does not require insurance ..

[6wheeler 669]

I am not sure if this would work here. At our Eagles club, When we do an off-sight event. We have a 1 million dollar blanket Liability "rider" policy. It covers food we sell and or beverages(including alcohol). This also covers members driving vehicles (of any sort) on the off-sight property that are volunteering to work the event. However, there is no particular vehicle type or ownership of vehicles attached to this rider. We just have to have a list of members working the event. What we have to do is register with our Ins. company, how many events are to be attended and how many members will work each event. Our policy covers up to 8 events (we do 4). I wonder if your Ins. company has something similar to this. For us it is relatively inexpensive at $485.00 per year. I think there will be more of these liability things popping up at shows and events. In the old days you just had to sign a waiver when you got there. But, in this sue happy world, those waivers aren't worth the paper they are written on. Good Luck    Pat

[KC9KAS 4,744]

I am not sure if this would work here. At our Eagles club, When we do an off-sight event. We have a 1 million dollar blanket Liability "rider" policy. It covers food we sell and or beverages(including alcohol). This also covers members driving vehicles (of any sort) on the off-sight property that are volunteering to work the event. However, there is no particular vehicle type or ownership of vehicles attached to this rider. We just have to have a list of members working the event. What we have to do is register with our Ins. company, how many events are to be attended and how many members will work each event. Our policy covers up to 8 events (we do 4). I wonder if your Ins. company has something similar to this. For us it is relatively inexpensive at $485.00 per year. I think there will be more of these liability things popping up at shows and events. In the old days you just had to sign a waiver when you got there. But, in this sue happy world, those waivers aren't worth the paper they are written on. Good Luck    Pat

Our Volunteer Fire department does this same thing for our annual community fest.

 

I too have an umbrella policy that covers anything the wife and I do that is not illegal. The cost is about $180 for a million. One like it saved a buddy of mine a bunch of money when an uninvited visitor sued for her own stupid actions, paid legal fees and took all the burden off them.

 

Did the show you attended want you to produce a copy of the policy or just state that you had one? Don't know too many people who cary a copy with them even if they have one.   

 

The flyer said to "show proof" so I would think a copy of the policy was needed.

Edited September 15, 2013 by KC9KAS

[CasualObserver 3,411]

There's a big swap meet up here with a website that has the same mention of needing to register and show insurance information for golf cart/lawn mowers with decks removed at the gate to gain entry.  I can tell you that I've never had to produce a copy of it while registering.  Heck, one year we went expecting to be able to rent a golf cart. (which I've also never had to show insurance to do) but they were out.  We had an 85 yr old guy with us who couldn't walk well.  My brother-in-law and I bought a tractor and wagon there just to get him around!  Bought it and went and registered it at the gate.  Again, no insurance necessary.

 

Now, I've also called and discussed this kind of event with my insurance agent, and he has assured me numerous times that it is covered under my homeowners policy.  That being said.... Your situation may be different!  Different states, shows, clubs and show ground have different rules and requirements.  The only way to know what you need for sure is to specifically ask people who have been to the show you're asking about and get their personal experiences, and to call your insurance agent and discuss your intentions and needs with them.  You employ their services, let them do their jobs.  If you have a good agent, he/she won't sell you a random BS policy that you don't need.  (on a side note, if you don't trust your agent to be a good agent, I would suggest finding another!)  Also call the show grounds contacts, and ask them what is acceptable, and what is typically asked about.  Is the question "Do you have insurance" or "Show me your insurance?" 

 

No matter what, I suggest a call to your insurance agent.  If you have any question in your head when you leave, it probably wouldn't hurt to just have a copy of your policy numbers and their card in your pocket.

[nylyon-(Admin) 7,878]

When we had my daughters Sweet 16 party, I had to show proof of $1,000,000.00 liability for the event.  I contacted my insurance agent, they drafted a letter and was all set.  Since I have a million dollar policy already, there was no charge for the binder, just paperwork saying that the event would be covered.  I assume it would be similar for this.

[specialwheelhorse 174]

One advantage belonging to an antique tractor club, out of our $20 dues each year a certain amount goes to

Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Assn Inc.

Reading from my insurance card

The cardholder named has general liability coverage for the year through

EDGE&TA as long as they follow EDGE&TA safety requirements.

On going to there site we are pretty well covered and have some kind of show nearly

every week somewhere down here and are never  bothered.

Check them out !!!!

[MalMac 1,332]

Back when my daughter was in 4H we tried to use one of the tractors and a 4 wheeled wagon to haul hay, feed, etc. to and from are big trailer where they made us park the trailers a little over 1/4 mile away from where the live stock was kept. I unloaded the Wheel Horse and wagon, Before I could even load supplies on the wagon a fair official came up and ask to see are proof of insurance. I said we were covered under a blanket policy. He said that was not good enough and that I had to have a separate policy just for running around the fairgrounds. I told him that was BS he preceded to tell me that if I wanted to purchase a policy for use of the tractor on the fairgrounds that their was an agent in the fair office building. Well you can guess what I thought about that. I then asked him if his last name was Capone.