AMA Insurance Update
AMA members and chartered clubs contacted AMA HQ and Executive Council officers with hundreds of calls and letters during the 1991 membership renewal period expressing strong displeasure with the 1991 insurance changes which had been announced late in the year. The most significant area of concern centered around removal of member-to-member coverage under the liability policy in 1991. You, the members, told the Executive Council what you wanted regarding insurance coverage, and they responded positively.
As a result of a special session called to act on only this one subject, the AMA Executive Council evaluated the impact of the insurance changes and voted not to proceed with elimination of member-to-member coverage. This reversal was based directly upon the comments, concerns, desires, and willingness of the membership to pay increased dues to retain this insurance feature.
Late in December 1990, all 1990 and 1991 AMA members were mailed a postcard announcing the reinstatement of member-to-member liability insurance.
Let's summarize the changes involving insurance policies which will affect individual members in 1991:
A. General Liability Policy — Effective March 31, 1991
- There will be NO member-to-family-member coverage regardless of the family member's AMA membership status. The member-to-family-member exclusion applies to both bodily injury and property damage.
- The deductible for property damage has been raised from $50 to $250.
B. Accident/Medical Policy — Effective January 1, 1991
A new policy limit of $25,000 is provided to all 1991 AMA members to cover medical expense reimbursement. Any AMA member may file a claim under this policy when injured, regardless of who causes the model operation accident. If you injure your own family member who is also an AMA member, they may collect under this policy.
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You may recall that the AMA had previously announced an increased limit to the Accident/Medical policy. The new limit was $100,000. However, with the member-to-member coverage reinstated, this was readjusted downward to a lower amount ($25,000). Even so, this is a significant increase over the 1990 limit of $7,500.
All policies remain secondary coverage for members. This means that the AMA Accident/Medical and Liability policies will pay amounts (up to the policy limits) not covered by other insurance a member may have—such as group medical or homeowners insurance.
A Special Notice is being mailed along with all 1991 membership cards. This information further clarifies the liability coverage limits in effect until the policy is renewed on March 31, 1991. It is color-coded in yellow for instant recognition.
This information is a brief summary. Complete details of coverages, reporting periods, and exceptions are contained in master policies on file at AMA HQ (available for $2 per policy for handling and postage).
Claim forms and step-by-step filing procedures are available from AMA HQ. Call 1-703-435-0750 and ask for the Claim Representative in the Special Services Department. All claims need to be reported immediately.
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It is important to note that the voice of the membership has made a difference in how AMA will provide coverage for model operations. Members' concerns are important and were directly responsible for the Executive Council's reversal of its decision on AMA liability insurance. The Council has a renewed appreciation for members' needs.
The Executive Council thanks you for taking an active interest in your organization. AMA looks forward to providing each of its valued members with continued prompt and caring service.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
