|
Post by alanstepney on May 16, 2008 12:23:32 GMT
As this has cropped up in another thread, I thought that it may be of general interest. We, as model engineers, need, or may need, insurance for the following. 1. Public liability, both when running our models and when we have visitors to our homes, workshops, etc. 2. Theft of our models, or machinery, tools etc. 3. Damage to models, perhaps in an accident whilst transporting them 4 Damage to machinery, tools, models or parts thereof, whilst in our workshops, homes, etc. 5. Road Traffic Act insurance for models, or vehicles that are used on the road, or in public, (where applicable). For some of us, "model", may be a vintage car, or perhaps some other artefact that might be unusual, or unknown, to the insurance companies. Comments, suggestions, experiences, welcomed. (PS, I use www.walkermidgley.co.uk/ who I have found most helpful.)
|
|
|
Post by circlip on May 16, 2008 14:03:52 GMT
So now I need Public liability insurance for SWMBO in case she goes for somebodies throat if they come to visit us?
Better get a strong lock on the gate and an even stronger one on the door! Bureaucracy gone mad. An Englishman's home is his dungeon and pull the drawbridge up, but make sure the chains are strong enough and concealed cos we don't want any burglars to hurt themselves.
Whatever happened to "Don't Touch cos if you do, It's a smack round the ear"??
|
|
|
Post by Laurie_B on May 16, 2008 16:17:26 GMT
Most model engineering clubs have insurance cover (some with Walter Midgley) though I wouldn't be sure those policies cover everything mentioned above,and seems more for covering clubs against public liability. I wonder whether model engineers would need to take out further,personal,insurance?
|
|
|
Post by alanstepney on May 16, 2008 16:38:34 GMT
I didnt state that you NEED, I said, "may need" public liability. In the same way, if you open your garden to the public, it might be worthwhile.
Some model engineers will invite people to run round the track in their garden, and may invite the neighbours children in for a ride at the same time, and in that case, it would be a sensible precaution. If it doesnt apply to you, dont bother with it.
|
|
|
Post by havoc on May 16, 2008 17:50:32 GMT
Strange it pops up here just as we had a discussion about it at the monthly club meeting. The main point there was about public liability. The consensus was that even if the club has insurance, and the organisation of the event has insurance, the person that caused the accident (or is owner of the equipment that caused the damage) will be the first to be taken to the cleaners.
First his personal insurance against damage to third persons will be claimed. Now the point is that you have to make sure that your insurers know what your hobby is and have that put into your coverage. Only after they stop paying (or refuse to) will the next insurance be claimed, that one of the club etc.
So make sure you are covered in writing by your personal insurance. Apparantly at some events they ask for the number of your insurance policy and care less about boiler certificates.
|
|
|
Post by ianengr on May 18, 2008 1:41:05 GMT
Greetings from Oz Alan,
Your subject is perfectly valid, but I fear we will never really know until there is a serious boiler accident, heaven forbid, wether the coverage any organisation or individual has is worth the postage stamp to the Cayman Islands or wherever else some of these insurance companies are ultimately set-up from and I can't imagine anything with more loop holes in it than M.E.
Kind Regards,
Ian.
|
|
russell
Statesman
Chain driven
Posts: 762
|
Post by russell on May 18, 2008 8:00:26 GMT
Does anyone know of a serious boiler accident, ever, with a model locomotive? I think the insurers are on to a good thing!
Russell.
|
|
jackrae
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,333
|
Post by jackrae on May 18, 2008 10:03:49 GMT
|
|
jackrae
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,333
|
Post by jackrae on May 18, 2008 10:06:55 GMT
|
|
|
Post by alanstepney on May 18, 2008 16:45:56 GMT
We, in the UK, are fortunate in that all of our clubs have "group insurance", that is very reasonably priced. There have been many small claims, so it is not a totally risk-free hobby. Fortunately, we appear to have avoided any major disaster.
The most recent model boiler explosion that caused physical harm, that I have been able to discover, was back in 1927. A good record and one that I hope we can maintain.
Nevertheless, the clubs insurance only covers us when at the club, or at one of their events. Given the propensity to sue, that appears to be more common today, what about when running at home? Also, and perhaps a more likely risk, models do get stolen, workshops broken into, etc.
Those are risks that would be worth while insuring against for most of us.
|
|
|
Post by havoc on May 18, 2008 17:57:12 GMT
Well, you can have high value item listed in your contract. Probably they will need the new value, serial numbers etc. And there will be a difference for items that do not leave your home like a lathe and those that travel like engines. Don't be surprised about the cost. But if you do ask, I'm sure they will oblige for a price. They might ask something as well however, like a certified burglar alarm on your shop, the shop being part of a lived-in house, being made of brick etc etc.
|
|