The INSURANCE AND SAFETY Committee shall preserve and protect the property, assets, and members of our Subordinate Lodges. The Committee participates in four insurance programs; property plus, liability, workers compensation and directors and officers coverage. The Committee monitors the accidents and lawsuits against the Lodges, their Officers and members, and assists with safety issues. Each District has an Insurance and Safety Committee Chairman available to assist the Lodges with questions of insurance, claims and safety.

Download the following document: "INDEMNIFICATION AND HOLD HARMLESS LANGUAGE FOR THE OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES"

A Lodge has full benefits from the program only if the coverage is at least 80% of Fair Market Value (FMV) at time of loss. Failure to have this is mismanagement, unless the Lodge members vote for less coverage for reasons that include no plans to rebuild, or to rebuild smaller. Call the broker, Aon at 1-800-421-3557, and ask for a free appraisal. If the Lodge has 80% coverage of FMV, it will be eligible for an additional 50% of coverage for municipal code changes and upgrades. Grand Lodge recommends a deductible, which will result ina 13% reduced premium from your previous year.

Those Lodges that are incorporated should immediately unincorporate. Otherwise, the named corporate officers could cause the Lodge to be assessed a premium based on a deemed wage of $33,800.00 per officer.

These Lodges should change their bylaws to require the Lodge to protect, defend and indemnify any Officer that might be sued for any reason if acting on behalf of the Lodge. The wording can be downloaded from this site.

Finally, every Lodge should carry Directors and Officers Insurance, which protects line officers, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustees, and volunteers acting on behalf of the Lodge. It is cheap.

Any questions, contact your District Insurance and Safety Chairman or the Association Chairman.

The self inspection reports should be timely and accurately performed to make the Lodge aware of dangerous conditions and to make immediate corrections. This report is in the Grand Lodge Accident Claim Prevention Manual.

If you have any questions regarding accidents, claims, injuries or safety, please contact the Association Chairman or your District Chairman. All are listed in the CHEA  Directory.