Most class associations that we speak with have purchased regatta liability, and are under the dangerous impression that this covers them for everything they do. This is simply not the case.

Regatta liability, as we know it, protects the class association if they run a regatta and are sued for a bodily injury that occurs on a participant’s boat. The injury must occur during the race, and the injured party must show negligence on the part of the class association and the manner in which they ran the regatta.

This coverage is very narrow in scope for a few reasons:

• It does not apply to injuries sustained on a race committee boat, support boat or spectator boat.

• It does not apply to an injury sustained on land, on docks, or in conjunction with hauling or launching boats. Historically, this is where the vast majority of injuries occur.

• If the injury does occur on a participant’s boat, the primary insurance is the boat policy which protects the liability of the boat owner. Chances are much greater that any negligence lies with the boat owner, not the regatta committee.

• It excludes liquor liability claims.

The Burgee Program is a comprehensive insurance program for class associations that provides coverage for running regattas, but extends to race committee boats, injuries on land, and even liquor liability claims. The premium for most class associations is only $900.

If your class association is paying $500 or more for just regatta liability, you should consider The Burgee Program.