LIABILITY & EVENTS INSURANCE

Insurance program for Arts BC Members.

About the Insurance

One of the benefits of membership in Arts BC is access to low-cost insurance. Reduced rates for Directors and Officers Liability, General Liability, Property, Cyber and Volunteer Accident coverage. All non-profit members are eligible for reduced rates available through Axis Insurance Group (formerly Shaw Sabey & Associates Ltd.).

This unique insurance program was created to make it easier and more affordable for non-profit arts organizations to get insured. In partnership with Axis Insurance Group, our 30+ years’ experience and group-buying power has helped us negotiate some of the best coverage and lowest rates in Canada.

Available Coverage
  • Commercial General Liability
  • Directors & Officers Liability
  • Contents of Every Description (including Fine Arts)
  • Crime (including Employee Dishonesty)
  • Cyber and Privacy Breach
  • Volunteer Accident
  • Media Liability
  • Legal Expense Coverage
  • Special Event Policies

Please note that the insurance coverage listed above is available at reduced rates only to non-profit Arts BC Members.

Commercial General Liability coverage protects an organization against claims of negligence brought by third parties who are injured or suffer property damage while on the organization’s premises or while attending the organization’s events and activities.

Directors and Officers Liability coverage protects directors and officers against claims for damages arising from negligence in financial procedures and reporting, breach of contract, actions that jeopardize an organization’s non-profit status, wrongful employment practices, etc.

The program provides optimum coverage at competitive premiums.

Accessing the Benefit

It’s easy to apply! Arts BC members can apply online in less than 5 minutes for a free, no obligation quote. Applicants will receive a quote proposal by email that includes eight different types of insurance coverage, specifically tailored for non-profit arts organizations. You can then pick and choose, for a customized insurance policy.

Arts BC Members that are nonprofits and charities are eligible.

Looking to Learn More

If you are interested in learning more about the insurance program, any of the coverages mentioned above, or if you want a quotation, please don’t hesitate to contact our customer representative at Axis Insurance Group:

Mykel Hurlburt
Account Executive
Axis Insurance Group

#400 – 555 Burrard Street, Box #275, Vancouver, BC V7X 1M8
Direct 604-685-4287 | Toll Free 800-684-1911 | Fax 604-331-0662

[email protected] | www.axisinsurance.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve compiled some of the most common questions asked about this insurance program below. If you can’t find what you’re looking for please contact Mykel Hurlburt, Account Manager at Shaw Sabey & Associates Ltd.

Is the Arts BC membership fee less than the amount of savings on Directors & Officers Liability insurance?

In all likelihood, yes! Our group-buying power has allowed us to negotiate extremely competitive rates compared to what is available through standard broker channels. 

Minimum premiums in today’s market typically start at $500 for a $1,000,000 liability limit and $700 for a $2,000,000 liability limit. And they only go up from there!

Is the Arts BC membership fee less than the amount of savings on Commercial General Liability insurance?

In all likelihood, yes! Our group-buying power has allowed us to negotiate extremely competitive rates compared to what is available through standard broker channels.

Minimum premiums in today’s market typically start at $650 for a $2,000,000 liability limit and $900 for a $5,000,000 liability limit.

Do insurance renewals include a reminder to renew Arts BC membership?

Yes, all insurance renewals will include Arts BC membership reminders moving forward. There is a warranty statement at the end of the application where the applicants must confirm all answers given are true, including if they are an Arts BC member.

What options are there available to pay for a new insurance policy?

Shaw Sabey can accept payment by cheque, e-transfer and credit card.

Why do I need Directors & Officers Liability insurance?

Now more than ever, individuals serving on boards of directors are being held accountable for their actions and inactions. Directors and officers are required to act in good faith and in the best interest of the organization. When a claim or allegation of wrongdoing arises, a director’s personal assets are at risk.

It’s a common misconception that a director can expect his or her non-profit organization to cover the costs. Claims and allegations (no matter how frivolous) can threaten both the personal wealth of the individual directors and officers as well as financial viability of the organization. Often the greatest cost in dealing with an allegation against an organization, or its directors or officers, is the legal cost of defending the action.

Why do I need Commercial General Liability Insurance?

Commercial General Liability insurance protects an organization against third party bodily injury or property damage claims arising from its operations and/or premises. For example, a visitor to your premises may trip and fall over a raised floor board or a volunteer may accidentally cause property damage to a rental venue. The awards for serious injuries can be immense, never mind the legal expenses and defence costs. Even if you did nothing wrong, the costs associated with defending the allegation could be crippling to your non-profit organization or result in bankruptcy.

How does the Commercial General Liability coverage offered through Arts BC’s insurance program compare with other Commercial General Liability coverage available in the market?

Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company’s Commercial General Liability coverage offered through this program is extremely comprehensive. Some of its features, which may not come built-in to competing Commercial General Liability policies, include:

  • Volunteer workers are covered as Named Insureds.
  • The coverage is not location specific, and extends to off-site events and activities.
  • Personal and Advertising injury is included.
  • There is no Liquor Liability Exclusion.
If we are serving or selling alcohol at an event do we need separate/extra insurance, or are we covered under our annual commercial general liability policy?

It depends. All liquor exposures must be referred to your Shaw Sabey representative in advance of the event.
While there is no Liquor Liability Exclusion in the annual Commercial General Liability policy, it is not intended to cover liquor specific events or activities. Some events with incidental liquor exposures may be covered under the annual policy, but must be approved by the Insurer first. Other events with larger liquor exposures may require a separate special event liability policy, which typically range in price from $150-$250 for single day events.

What is Tenants Legal Liability coverage?

Tenants Legal Liability coverage protects against liability claims arising from property damage to the premises of others, which the insured organization rents or occupies. This may include leased space, or a venue rented for an event. It is necessary because Commercial General Liability coverage excludes damage to property “occupied by” or “rented to” the insured organization.

The Commercial General Liability coverage offered through Arts BC’s insurance program includes a $1,000,000 Tenants Legal Liability limit.

What is an “Additional Insured”?

An “Additional Insured” is a third party (typically a landlord or venue) added to a liability insurance policy, to protect them against potential liability arising from the policyholder’s negligence.

How do I add an Additional Insured to my policy, and does it cost anything?

Email the full name and mailing address of the entity who has requested to be added as an additional insured, and the reason for their request. If the request is in relation to a lease agreement or other contract, include it as a part of the email.

Additional insured’s can usually be added for no additional premium.

What is Extra Expense coverage?

Extra expense coverage pays for additional costs, above and beyond normal operating expenses, that an organization must incur in order to continue operating while its damaged property is being repaired or replaced.

What is co-insurance?

Co-insurance is a penalty imposed on the Insured by the Insurer for underinsuring the value of their property. Arts BC’s insurance program has a 90% co-insurance clause, which means the Insured must insure at least 90% of the total value of their property, or they may be penalized in the event of a claim.

What is a loss payee?

A “loss payee” is a person or entity listed on the Named Insured’s insurance policy, which is entitled to all or part of the insurance payout in connection with the covered property in which it has interest.

What do I do in the event of a claim or incident which could result in a claim?

Contact your Shaw Sabey representative immediately, so the claim can be properly reported to the insurance company. It is a condition of insurance policies that all claims or potential claims be reported to the Insurer as soon as practicable.

 

Have Questions?

To learn more about the insurance program, please direct your questions to Mykel Hurburt at [email protected]. For general questions about Arts BC’s membership, simply email us at [email protected]  or give us a call at +1-604-685-4287.

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