Insurance

Bahá’ís planning intercommunity events (including fund-raisers) in areas where Assemblies exist must first obtain the permission of the Assembly if the activity is to take place in that community. For insurance purposes and to ensure accountability of the funds, it is preferable that events be sponsored by an Assembly.

Although Peruvian law does not require insurance, and particularly second and third person liability insurance, which is a mandatory requirement for all autos and drivers in some countries, it seems wise to insure for theft, accident and liability, or for overall coverage, bearing in mind the state of affairs in Puno and Cuzco districts and undertaking a proper survey of insurance carriers, their rates and reliability in meeting claims.

If you have not already done so, it is hoped that the National Assembly will institute a program of control of all Bahá’í vehicles, and of insurance to protect its not inconsiderable capital investment in automobiles of various kinds.

It is hoped that the station will derive many years of service from this vehicle, that this valuable piece of equipment will be safeguarded through adequate insurance and careful management, including protection against theft.

Not only are the users of the vehicles of the Faith under serious obligation to the Faith for care and discretion in all uses of these cars, which are not their property, but they are also responsible for mishaps, whether their own making or those of others. The drivers are often liable to be involved in legal action in accidents, particularly where there are injuries or deaths. Bahá’í employee-drivers may conceivably be required by your Assembly to pay some part of the insurance, perhaps the liability component, as a price for the privilege of vehicle use and as a protection for themselves against predator suits. And finally, it is a fair charge against the budget of the station to insure its autos; it is also a fair thing to require all station drivers to obey regulations for station auto use, against financial or other penalties for misuses established and clearly understood by each authorized driver.

The insurance figure should be more specific and premiums should be given in detail. All buildings and equipment should be adequately insured and an all-risk insurance policy taken out. The jeep should be similarly comprehensively insured. If insurance coverage car, be obtained for hazards from natural causes, this would be advisable.

The serious accident to a laborer provides a clear warning of the care which must be exercised when inexperienced persons are employed at the station, and also shows the need for adequate insurance provisions for those undertaking hazardous tasks.