There has been an on-going discussion for the last 6 months concerning a trial for a fatal accident that occured during a tournament.  Here is the link to the post that discribes the final settlement.  Reading this gives one strong cause to think about the liability potential as well as how quick something cna turn from great fun to sheer horror
Very sobering!
http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/other_topics/T29006.htm

Smitty

????    When I was on the board we had liability ins. I think it cost the club something like $600 per year.  You're saying now that's changed?

Umbrella insurance is the answer.  It picks up where the 300,000 ends.  However, if you have umbrella ins., then you can drop the liability down to 100,000 because you're still covered under the umbrella ins.

So, I'm assuming if you bring your boat ins., with a copy of your umbrella ins. to Mr. Tournament Director, you should be set for the year. 

Can anybody confirm this?  Larry?

Okay, well this position is quickly losing its "fun appeal" and as for looking into this it begins with the next board meeting and will be handled by the first tourney as we are not going to operate without some resolution....now, we are set for the season as it stands it is just how far does the club want to go....Each angler is required to care for their insurance as in individual and provides proof of said insurance. The club assumes no responsibility for the angler from the get go with the liability waiver on the application.....with that it sounds as though we now need to contact an Insurance Attorney to discuss what can be done and should be done by the club, and by the individual to make our sport as Safe and still fun without getting into Dr.s Malpractice Syndrome which is, as we speak killing and otherwise honorable profession. My worry is that we are O.K. now and will be O.K. tommarrow but in between....we lose those who are worried about this issue......remember, just check with your insurance adjuster....let them know what you will be doing...ie....competitive tournament fishing......shop around find the most informed company who can give you the options you need and get that insurance.
What we can do in the meantime is work with each other and get informed on boating ettiquette, safe operations and proper equipment use AT ALL TIMES!
And remember.....after all is said and done we will all have the confidence that we are a safe and informed club and can get back to the task at hand....Catching Fish!

Folks,
I didn't mean to sound ornery about the club and insurance. I talked to Ted Watts, Ron Hankinson and a couple other board members about 2-3 years ago and was told that the club didn't have or need any. Period. I showed and sited the article(many of you have read)in the ABA newsletter and was told it didn't pertain to us. You guys can take it from here.

Here's what happened at the Sumner Sportsmans Club while I was on the board:
"Short Version"
We rent the hall. Weddings etc.
During a rental, an unsupervised child ran into a steel cable outside of the building that had a sign on it stating "Keep Out". The child hurt his neck and we ended up taking care of the medical bills and alot of other red tape. We were also sued for ???$200,000.00??? The max of our limited liability coverage at the time.
The rental agreement "that was signed by the renter" stated (No Unsupervised Children) and (No One Allowed Outside on the Grounds). All this didn't matter in court. When we found out that we(Officers)could be attached in a law suite, we got a little scared and upped our policy to $1 million.
RC

Just came back from the board meeting folks.  I confirmed the club still has the same policy that was implemented some 10 years ago.  It never expired.  Terry produced the document.  It's due to be renewed in April.

That said, the board is going to review the policy to see if it needs to be updated when they renew.

Thanks!
Glenn