Important Announcement - Membership Benefit * Membership Comprehensive General Liability Insurance

The ONTARIO BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION has a Membership Commercial Liability Insurance Policy in place for paid-up OBA members who reside in Ontario. The insurance policy runs from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 and covers the items listed below. It should be noted that this description represents a general overview of the policy, covering the important issues. Exact detail is provided in the policy wording. Please direct any questions through the OBA office.

Operations/Risks Insured:

All operations of beekeeping with respect to beekeeping, honey sales and demo hives displayed at schools, fairs and other similar locations.

Limits of Liability:

Bodily Injury and Property Damage, each occurrence $2,000,000
Products and Completed Operations, each occurrence $2,000,000 (Any sales to the United States should be discussed with the OBA office)
Annual Aggregate $2,000,000
Personal Injury Liability, each occurrence $2,000,000
Medical Payments - provides voluntary payment of medical expenses, limited to$2,500 to any one person
Non-owned Automobile Liability $2,000,000
(Protects you against legal liability arising from the use or operation on your behalf of any automobile that you do not own. If the vehicle owner's policy had lapsed, or the limits proved inadequate, this would protect you.) Broad Form Completed Operations Incl. in limit

Deductibles

Property Damage Deductible - any one occurrence $ 500.00

Special Extensions

It is hereby understood and agreed that the named insured shall include and cover only those members who pay for the insurance option according to the hive locations they have registered with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at the time they apply.

Special Exclusions/Restricting Terms

It is understood and agreed that claims arising out of bodily injury caused by apitherapy or medical treatment using bees shall be excluded.

Basically, our policy covers liability claims on product (honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly) related to beekeeping and incidences arising from beekeeping, such as bee stings. In addition the insurer will defend suits brought against a member in these instances, even if the suit is groundless in nature.

Please remember that this policy is not intended to replace insurance on your business or premises. For example, a slip and fall accident would not be insured under this policy. You must have a personal or business premises liability policy.

The Comprehensive General Liability cost is $80.00 per year for Associate Members (49 hives or less) and $112.00 per year for Voting Members 50 + hives). The policy runs on a calendar year basis. You may apply at any time but the price remains the same.

In order to identify your yard locations in the case of a claim, when applying you must list your locations the same as you have them listed with OMAFRA at the time you apply. EVERYONE must list their yard locations, you MAY NOT use "same as previous year". Do not leave blank.

If you are already enrolled in the Group Commercial Liability Insurance Plan, renew now for the 2010 year. Your present policy terminates December 31, 2009. If you have not enrolled, consider doing so this year with the reduced rates. The savings are substantial - several hundred dollars for some members - enough to pay for your OBA membership and more!

Note: In order to process your application, we must receive your application filled out completely, including all names you operate your honey business under, residence location (if applicable), complete yard information and full payment. You will be insured starting January 1, 2010 (or upon receipt of your application by the OBA, if after January 1, 2010), provided all information is complete. A Certificate of Insurance will be mailed to you. Keep a copy of your application, receipt and Certificate of Insurance in a safe place in case you need proof of insurance for a claim or for a place where you are selling honey e.g. farmer's market.