General Insurance Questions

When does a members insurance begin under the CCGA insurance program?

A CCGA members insurance eligibility begins once the member has been enrolled and accepted as a member of an Auxiliary association and has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CCGA and the CCGA member.

When does an owner/operator vessels insurance begin under the CCGA insurance program?

A CCGA owner/operators eligibility for coverage under the CCGA insurance policies begins once the vessel has been enrolled and accepted by the Canadian Coast Guard as a vessel of an Auxiliary association and the owner/operator has been enrolled and accepted as a member of an Auxiliary association and has signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the CCGA and the CCGA member. Coverage applies during an Authorized Activity.

If a member has not returned his/her membership renewal within the specified time for returning this form, is this member still covered under the CCGA insurance policies if he/she participates in a search and rescue (SAR) tasking or other activity on behalf of the CCGA?

The answer is yes - the member would be covered by CCGA insurances. We never want an administrative technicality to interfere with saving lives. However, every effort has to be made to obtain membership renewal forms signed by members. Of course, at some time the CCGA would be forced to strike an individual from the membership list for refusal to renew his/her membership.

If a member has not returned his/her signed Memorandum of Understanding form, is he/she still covered under the CCGA insurance policies?

Yes, the member would be covered by CCGA insurances. We never want an administrative technicality to interfere with saving lives. However, every effort has to be made to obtain Memorandum of Understanding forms signed by members. Of course, at some time the CCGA would be forced to strike an individual from the membership list for refusing to submit a signed Memorandum of Understanding.

Are CCGA members covered by the CCGA insurance polices while co-crewing onboard Canadian Coast Guard vessels?

Since co-crewing onboard a CCG vessel is an Authorized Activity, CCGA members are covered by the CCGA insurance policies.

Are members spouses insured under CCGA insurances while traveling with the member to a CCGA function?

A spouse accompanying a CCGA member traveling to an Authorized Activity is NOT covered by CCGA insurance policies. The only time a spouse is covered by CCGA insurance policies is when the spouse is an enrolled Auxiliary member and is participating in an Authorized Activity. The trigger for insurance coverage is whether or not an Auxiliary member has been authorized to attend a CCGA function. If the spouse is an Auxiliary member and is authorized to attend then he/she is covered by the CCGA insurance policies.

For example, if a spouse accompanies a CCGA member to a Board of Directors meeting, a National Council meeting, a Regional SAR Skills Competition, a Boat Show, International SAR Competition or CCGA training session and the spouse has not been authorized to attend, that spouse is not covered by the CCGA insurance policies. Authorization to attend a CCGA function means that the CCGA member will be participating in training activities or actively contributing to the meeting or event. Simply accompanying a member to an Auxiliary activity does not constitute authorization to attend.

In most instances, authorization to attend a CCGA function is directly linked to the members eligibility for reimbursement of travel expenses. The exception to this is attendance at Annual General Meetings. Although a member has not been authorized to be reimbursed for travel expenses to attend their Annual General Meeting the member has the right to attend and therefore would be covered by the CCGA insurance policies.

How often is it necessary for CCGA to renew its vessel insurance, and how is this done?

Coverage is continuous with an annual anniversary date of June 1st. The Insurers have the right to survey any vessel as part of the underwriting process. The member may be responsible for these expenses. The examination may be subject to verification by an authorized CCG officer. It is the responsibility of the individual Auxiliary member to advise the appropriate CCG representative of the cost of any additions and/or alterations to their vessel that may affect the insured value of the CCGA vessel.

If a CCGA member offers his services to the JRCC (Joint Rescue Coordination Centre) or MRSC (Marine Rescue Sub-Centre), but is not officially tasked to the search and rescue (SAR) incident, is the members vessel and are the CCGA members onboard insured?

No insurance coverage is in place for the members vessel or the CCGA members since there is no Authorized Activity.

During an authorized search and rescue (SAR) tasking, are passengers on board a CCGA vessel insured if JRCC (Joint Rescue Coordination Centre) or MRSC (Marine Rescue Sub-Centre) is advised?

Normally, JRCC or MRSC would not task a CCGA vessel to a search and rescue (SAR) mission if passengers were on board. If an exceptional circumstance occurs, and the passenger volunteers and agrees to assist if the vessel is short of crewmembers, then they would be covered under the CCGA insurances.

Are CCGA members insured for diving activities during SAR Operations?

No. CCGA members are not insured under the CCGA insurance policies for any diving activities.

Are CCGA employees covered by the CCGA insurance if they participate in a search and rescue (SAR) tasking?

Yes, the CCGA employees would be covered.

What is the time limit to submit a claim under the CCGA insurances?

Each policy has its own requirements but, in general, the policies state that a claim should be reported as soon as possible after an incident has occurred (e.g. if a boat suffered damaged during a search and rescue (SAR) mission, the damages should be reported immediately after completion of the SAR mission). If someone is being sued for something he or she did while involved in an activity for CCGA, then this should be reported to the CCGA insurance brokers or insurers as soon as the member becomes aware of the potential claim.

While on CCGA business, are members required to rent vehicles (daily rentals) in the name of both the CCGA and themselves?

Yes, CCGA members are required to rent vehicles while on an Authorized Activity in the name of both the CCGA and the member. The vehicle must be rented in the name of the CCGA in order to be covered by the CCGA insurance. However, most daily rental agencies will not rent vehicles in the name of a company or corporation only (requiring the vehicle to be rented in the name shown on the credit card used for the rental) unless there is a pre-arranged agreement executed between the daily rental company and the CCGA association. Each of the CCGA associations, or the CCGA associations as a group should explore this type of arrangement for CCGA employees who may rent vehicles on a daily rental basis, as well as CCGA members if they have to rent a vehicle in connection with an Authorized Activity. The CCGA insurance only applies to daily rentals in Canada and U.S.A. and coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions for CCGA volunteer members.

What is the maximum dollar value of a daily rental vehicle that is permitted?

The maximum value of a daily rental vehicle covered by the CCGA insurance policy is $65,000. Under CCGA policy and the CCGA insurance policy, short-term and daily rental of vehicles is limited to Private Passenger and Light Commercial vehicles only.

Can you define personal effects, as this term is used in the CCGA Hull & Machinery or Property policies?

The term Personal Effects is not defined in the Hull & Machinery policy and the term Personal Belongings is not defined in the Property insurance policy. However, both of these policies refer to the belongings or personal property of a member who is insured. It should be noted that some personal property is not covered; such as diving equipment, breakage of equipment of a brittle nature and more...

CCGA Presidents and Business Managers are frequently conducting CCGA activities outside of regular business hours (during evenings & weekends). Are they considered on Authorized Activity at all time?

The accident insurance policy extends to all Authorized Activities, whenever they occur.