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Accident and Sickness Insurance

The Circle Ten Council believes strongly in the Boy Scouts of America’s motto of “Be Prepared,” but even the most prepared sometimes have incidents or accidents. In instances like this, the council provides Accident and Sickness insurance. Please note this insurance is a secondary policy, so the person's primary insurance is used first then the secondary insurance begins; if a person does not have primary insurance then the secondary insurance begins immediately.

If, during a Scouting activity or meeting, someone should be hurt or injured (hurt or injured in this case means needing more than basic first aid) then the following should be done:

• First, make sure all of those that are hurt receive the necessary medical treatment; safety is the top priority. At no time during the process laid out below should the injured person be delayed necessary medical treatment.
• As soon as safely possible, please complete an Incident Report (HERE). This is important to do as soon as safely possible so as many details as possible (i.e. names, contact information, etc.) can be documented. Also please make sure to get as much information as possible which may include photographs, statements, etc. When in doubt, include it ... too much information is not a bad thing.
• Once the Incident Report is complete, please send to Circle Ten Council (Rebecca.Strong@scouting.org) so that the council can begin processing the report.
• Generally speaking, the council will follow up within 3 business days with the HSR Claim Form (HSR is the accident and sickness insurance provider for the council/BSA). If you have not heard from the council after 5 business days, please contact the main council number.
• Once the HSR Claim Form is sent to the necessary people it needs to be filled out appropriately. 
• BEFORE sending the claim form into HSR it will need to be approved by the council. No HSR Claim Forms will be approved without an Incident Report filed with the council (note the council does not need copies of any medical bills or additional documents but ONLY needs the HSR Claim Form returned).
• Once the council has approved the claim form, it will be sent back to the necessary people.
• Once a person receives a council-approved HSR Claim Form, it can then be sent into HSR (please make sure to fill out the HSR Claim Form completely and send to HSR any necessary documents).

There have been a number of questions about accident and sickness insurance coverage and, in discussion with BSA’s Risk Management Team and in reviewing the Accident and Sickness brochure, below is the following policy for accident and sickness coverage:

Accident and sickness insurance (also known as accident and health insurance) coverage for Scouts and Scouters furnishes medical reimbursement in case of death, accident, or sickness within the policy amounts. Information regarding unit accident coverage is available through the local council. The coverage provided has maximum limits it pays and a maximum benefit period, usually 52 weeks from the date of the incident.

Coverage is excess of all other insurance or health care plans in force. This policy is excess to any and all other available sources of medical insurance or other health care benefits.

All registered youth and seasonal staff are eligible, as well as registered leaders and volunteer leaders.

The coverage provided has maximum limits it pays, and a maximum benefit period, usually 52 weeks from the date of the incident. The plans do not “take care of everything.” Claims should be filed with the accident and sickness carrier as soon as possible (through the council’s process outlined above), along with any other source of medical insurance or other health care benefits.

Who are considered eligible - youth and volunteers? Non-Scouters are covered for accident and sickness, but only while attending a (one) scheduled activities for the purpose of becoming registered leaders and Scouts.

So, if you are conducting an event, meeting or activity with the purpose of recruiting youth and/or leaders, BSA’s accident and sickness insurance will cover you. Again, it is a secondary policy, so your insurance kicks in first, then the accident and sickness insurance pays as a secondary insurance.

Certificate of Insurance

Certificates of insurance verify that the BSA and local councils have insurance for an event or activity. In some cases when Scouting and Exploring activities are held at locations other than Scout property, a location may require a certificate of insurance from the BSA. Occasionally, other parties may want to be added to the BSA general liability policy as an additional insured.

When another party wants to be an additional insured, this means they want to be insured on the BSA’s general liability policy. Selling popcorn in front of the local grocery store, conducting unit activities at parks and gathering at the unit’s regular meeting place are just some examples where parties would require certificates of insurance from the BSA.

There are times when the other organization provides a contract or facility use agreement for the Scouting event or activity and will include insurance requirements. These documents will need to be reviewed very carefully. Sometimes wording in these documents can put the Scouting organization, councils and leaders into a situation where the insurance policy is accepting the fault of the other party or holding the other party harmless for their own negligent acts. If these documents have this type of wording, the certificate of insurance would not be issued and should not be signed.

To request a Certificate of Insurance in the Circle Ten Council, please complete COI Request Form. As stated on the form please allow two weeks for processing. Also, as noted on the form, please be aware of the following:

• All activities occurring at the requested event above must be done according to the Guide to Safe Scouting.
• All packs submitting certificates of insurance for an overnighter must have an attached Pack Overnight Campout Site Appraisal Form completed by a BALOO trained volunteer. BALOO credentials must also be attached.
• For COI requests for unit fundraising other than council fundraising (camp cards and popcorn) a completed and approved Unit Money-Earning Application must be turned in as well.