Tower Liability Insurance for non-owned tower

[bobhill]

I'm having a tough time finding tower insurance for a non commercial FM that is hanging its antenna on an existing tower. The tower owner requires a million in liability insurance. I can't imagine our antenna and line ever causing that much damage but you never know.


Point is, who are independent broadcasters using for tower insurance, particularly startups? We're getting declines with the excuse that we don't have 3 years history, that the tower is too tall (350'?) blah blah . How do you get 3 years history for a startup? Ridiculous.

Someone is writing startup non-com fm insurance policies, but whom?

 

[Kelly A]

Point is, who are independent broadcasters using for tower insurance, particularly startups? We're getting declines with the excuse that we don't have 3 years history, that the tower is too tall (350'?) blah blah . How do you get 3 years history for a startup? Ridiculous.

Someone is writing startup non-com FM insurance policies, but whom?

It sounds like the tower owner isn't concerned about you insuring their tower, but more that you as a business, albeit non-profit, need to have a million in liability insurance before you can be on their tower. Their interest is that if your presence on their tower creates a liability, your business policy will cover it, leaving the tower owner faultless. Typically that involves a rider written into the million dollar business liability policy which includes verbiage about you occupying space on their tower.

A million dollar liability policy is pretty standard for most businesses. You may have to go through a business insurance broker to find an insurance carrier that would sell you a policy. That means don't call Geico and Progressive, because chances are the underwriter found by a broker will be a carrier you've never heard of. Not to be cavalier about it, but this is just another cost of doing business that most LPFM licensee's don't consider.

 

[DavidEduardo]

It sounds like the tower owner isn't concerned about you insuring their tower, but more that you as a business, albeit non-profit, need to have a million in liability insurance before you can be on their tower. Their interest is that if your presence on their tower creates a liability, your business policy will cover it, leaving the tower owner faultless. Typically that involves a rider written into the million dollar business liability policy which includes verbiage about you occupying space on their tower.

And it depends on your business liability policy. Some require additional specific clauses about unusual items.

For example, a bakery might have an umbrella liability policy to cover everything beyond normal retail business risks; were the bakery to have an emergency generator with propane tanks that might require a rider. Or if the bakery had a food truck it sent out to fairs and for catering.

In the case of tower rental, the underwriter of the stations' blanket policy could be consulted for a special needs rider.

If the station does not have a blanket policy, or a base policy with an umbrella, then they are not going to be able to rent office space, lease a vehicle or just about anything else that is provided by a third party.

As to the "million dollar" limit, that is low. Were the tower to collapse during construction or due to a defect of the antenna and fall on a rigger or engineer, a million is not going to handle it.

 

[Harvey_Dogg]

I'm having a tough time finding tower insurance for a non commercial FM that is hanging its antenna on an existing tower. The tower owner requires a million in liability insurance. I can't imagine our antenna and line ever causing that much damage but you never know.


Point is, who are independent broadcasters using for tower insurance, particularly startups? We're getting declines with the excuse that we don't have 3 years history, that the tower is too tall (350'?) blah blah . How do you get 3 years history for a startup? Ridiculous.

Someone is writing startup non-com FM insurance policies, but whom?

Your not for profit station needs a business insurance policy to cover both the studio location and tower site. The insurance not only covers equipment and structures but also covers medical should someone get hurt at the tower or in your parking lot.

Try Auto Owner's. We have a million dollar policy through them. Most business landlords require this before you get in the door.
And, you don't want to be in business without insurance.

 

[Kelly A]

Your not for profit station needs a business insurance policy to cover both the studio location and tower site. The insurance not only covers equipment and structures but also covers medical should someone get hurt at the tower or in your parking lot.

That's a great point. A business insurance policy protects you personally, especially if the LPFM involves employees or volunteers. Volunteer's are an added liability, because they aren't compensated as employees, and therefore aren't generally covered under a state-provided employment injury program should they become injured or die while working at your LPFM.