Accident Insurance

Accident insurance is a form of health insurance that provides limited medical coverage
in the event of injury. Most people are likely to have their own form of health or accident
insurance. However, to be certain that everyone is covered, some type of accident
insurance should be provided to all members and adult volunteers enrolled in a county 4H program. (Coverage of "youth participants" should also be provided if necessary and
appropriate - for definitions of "4-H members" and "youth participants", consult the
Membership section of the manual.) Two types of coverage are available:

Annual accident insurance - covers enrolled youth (K-12) and adults (optional but
recommended) while participating in, or attending, regularly approved and adultsupervised group activity during the entire program year.

Special activity insurance - covers all youth, and adults participating in a specific
adult-supervised activity sponsored by the OSU Extension Service.

Certain activities considered to be "hazardous" are excluded from coverage. These

include rodeos, horse races, and games (except as noted below), which are not approved
activities in the Oregon 4-H program. Activities, which are approved, include:

Flag Events, Stake, Barrel and Stake, Ribbon, Key Race, Pole Bending, Keyhole, and
Texas Barrels (although there are other gaming events, those listed above are the only
appropriate events for Oregon 4-H members).

Cutting Reining

Hunt Seat Equitation over Fences (hard hat required for jumps over 18")

In addition, some coverage is unavailable for some age groups. Youth in K-3 are covered
only on a limited basis. Coverage for this age group does not include activities related to
the following projects: Horse, Livestock (Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Swine, Dairy Goats, or
Pygmy Goats), Llamas, Motorcycles or Motor Bikes, All-Terrain Vehicles, and Shooting
Sports Other projects of high risk may be excluded on a case-by-case basis.
The two types of insurance are described below in more detail. Samples of specific
application and claim forms are included on the accompanying pages. A number of
companies provide appropriate accident insurance; examples from a specific company are
presented for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsement. A supply of
application and claim forms should be maintained in the county office. Forms are usually
updated annually, so it's important to stay current.

Annual Accident Insurance

This type of policy covers injuries only; it does not cover illness. Coverage is extended to
those youth attending or participating in regularly approved and adult-supervised group
activity. This includes club meetings, field trips, and other activities that are part of the
group's planned program. Youth are also covered while traveling to and from their house
and the scheduled meeting place, except for air travel.

Payment of fees can be required as part of the project service fees (if applicable) and
collected at the time of enrollment.
American Income Life Insurance Company
All members of a club or group must be included, except those who are already covered
in another 4-H club or group. Adult volunteers may purchase coverage for themselves if
they wish.
The policy has a minimum premium and is a limited policy. Coverage ranges from$500
to $10,000 (current figures) depending on the nature of the injury and the type of plan
selected. Parents or legal guardians are liable for costs beyond the limits of the policy.
The policy is also a primary policy, which means that any claims should be negotiated
for payment from American Income Life Insurance Company before claims are paid out
from any other insurance coverage a person may have.
Parents or legal guardians should be advised of the limited and primary nature of the
policy. Copies of the policy can be distributed to them through the mail or by adult
volunteers.
As already notes (page 1), "hazardous" activities related to rodeos, races, and games are
excluded from coverage, as is certain coverage of K-3 youth. Also excluded is coverage
related to eyeglass replacement; denture replacement or repair; suicide; hernia in any
form; illness; air travel; injuries sustained while tobogganing, skiing bobsledding, and
tubing; and losses covered under Medicare or any plan of Workman's Compensation.
Some program identified as "high risk" (such as horse and motorcycle clubs are covered,
but a higher premium is charged. Special requests may be make to the company to obtain
coverage for high-risk program such as skateboarding, white water rafting (level 2 or less
rapids only), search and rescue operations, or other similar activities. A risk management
plan which includes training to be required will need to be submitted. Before contacting
the company, consult with the Extension 4-H Youth Development specialist assigned
responsibilities in "Insurance/Risk Management" for assistance in developing the request.
There are two options for securing coverage related to the annual accident policy:
1. Coverage for all members/leaders in the county. All members and leaders in a
county can be covered with one payment based on the previous year's enrollment. For
youth in horse and motorcycle clubs, be sure to include the required additional fees.
There is no need to send additional payments if the total number of youth, and adults
in the current year's program exceeds that of the previous year; likewise, there is no
refund if the current year's total is less than that of the previous year.
Example: last year there was a total of 500 youth, and adult volunteers in the county
program, including 50 youth, and adults involved in horse and motorcycle clubs. The
current cost of the insurance is $1 per person; $2 for those involved in horse and
motorcycle clubs. The payment would be $550 (450 adults and youth x $1 = $450; 50
adults and youth x $2 = 100; $450 + $100 = $550)
2. Coverage for each club or organized unit. The adult volunteer responsible for each
group fills out an application form, based on the number of youth, and adults who are

part of the group, and mails payment directly to the company. Those who join after a
policy has been issues are automatically covered when they enroll, without paying an
additional premium.
A generic copy of the company policy is included in this section. The Oregon Insurance
Commissioner advises that this copy be available for review at each of the county
Extensi8on offices. Copies do not need to be provided to all leaders, but the policy must
be available in the office if leaders or parents with to review it.
Specific fees and benefits are described on the accompanying brochure. Instructions for
filing a claim are printed on the back of the accompanying claim form. The same claim
form applied to both annual accident insurance and special activity insurance.
Additional brochures and claim forms can be ordered from:
American Income Life Insurance Company
PO Box 50158
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: 1.800.849.4820 or 317.849.5545
Fax: 317.849.2793
E-mail: BillViar@Ailins.com
Web: www.Ailins.com

Special Activity Insurance

This policy covers all those actively involved as a participant (volunteers parents,
enrolled members, youth participants, and "other" youth) in a specific extensionsponsored activity. It does not cover spectators. Participants are also covered while
traveling to and from their homes and the activity site if such travel in included in the
dates covered by the insurance policy. In some plans, costs related to illness are also
included.
Sometimes it is desirable to purchase special activity insurance in addition to the Annual
Accident Insurance so that medical costs related to illness will be covered. Possible
examples might include extended multi-day/night programs such as camps and
exchanges.
Fees should be recovered as part of the cost of the activity.
American Income Life Insurance Company
Coverage must be requested before the first day of the activity. The postmark on the
request will determine guarantee of coverage. Costs vary according to the kind of activity
and the amount of coverage desired:
Higher maximum coverage is available at an increased rate.
Horse and winter sports activities are accepted at minimal coverage only.
Illness coverage is available at increased rates.
The policy has a mi8nimum premium.

The policy excludes coverage related to eyeglass replacement, suicide, aviation accidents,
pre-existing conditions, the use of intoxicants or non-prescribed drugs, or staff employees
covered under Workman's Compensation or Medicare.
This is a limited policy, with coverage ranging from $300 to $7,500 (current figures)
depending on the nature of the injury and the type of plan selected Parents or legal
guardians are liable for costs beyond the limits of the policy. The policy is also a
primary policy, which means that any claims should be negotiated for payment from
American Income Life Insurance Company before claims are paid out from any other
insurance coverage a person may have.
There are two options for securing coverage related to the special activities policy:
1. Fill out a separate form for each activity. Forms can be submitted throughout the
year, but must be submitted so the postmark on the form is dated before the activity
occurs.
2. Fill out one form for all activities anticipated during the coming program year. Extra
activities can be added during the year if necessary, but forms must be postmarked
before the activity occurs.
The policy has a minimum premium. Specific costs and benefits are described in the
accompanying brochures. The first brochure is for a single activity; the second can be
used to apply for coverage for all known activities at one time.
Instructions for filing a claim are printed on the back of the accompanying claim form.
The same claim from applies to both annual accident insurance and special activity
insurance.
Additional brochures and claims forms can be ordered from:
American Income Life Insurance Company
PO Box 50158
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: 1.800.840.4820 or 317.849.5545
Fax: 317.849.2793
E-mail: BillViar@Ailins.com
Web: www.Ailins.com

posted November 2007