Chapter membership in the Risk Management Foundation (RMF) includes the following insurance and limits as required under Sigma Chi Governing Laws (ECR 6.02-i-4): General Liability Insurance.
E6.02-i-4 All U.S. undergraduate chapters are required to provide proof of a minimum of $1,000,000 general liability coverage naming Sigma Chi Fraternity/Corporation as additional insured. Canadian chapters are required to provide proof of a minimum of $1,000,000 Canadian general liability coverage naming Sigma Chi Fraternity/Corporation as additional insured. General liability insurance policy coverages for all chapters must include host liquor liability coverage and hired/non-owned auto coverage. All local groups must provide proof of general liability insurance, consistent with the requirements listed above, naming Sigma Chi Fraternity/Corporation as additional insured before they are duly installed as a chapter of Sigma Chi.
Undergraduate chapters and House Corporations participating in the RMF Property program are also provided Directors & Officers Liability coverage and Dishonesty/Bond (Crime) coverage.
House Corporation membership in the RMF (via subscription fees to the Property Program), includes General Liability coverage as described above, Excess Liability coverage for the house corporation entity and the individual volunteers, Directors & Officers Liability coverage, and Dishonesty/Bond (Crime) coverage.
Active chapters without a house (No Building Value, NBV) can obtain the coverages in the paragraph above by purchasing contents coverage for chapter owned property such as ritual regalia or composites. If the Chapter is suspended, a House Corporation can purchase our Corporate Protections Package (CPP) to obtain these coverages.
Each chapter must provide proof of insurance as required under the Sigma Chi Governing Laws (ECR 6.02-i-4). Undergraduate chapters are afforded protection provided that the chapter is abiding by the RMF and Sigma Chi risk management and alcohol policies. Excess Liability insurance extends additional coverage to all other insureds, such as alumni advisors and other volunteers while they are acting on behalf of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Excess Liability insurance does not protect the chapters or undergraduates.
Yes. The insurance provided as part of membership in RMF contains several important exclusions or coverage restrictions. For chapters and undergraduate officers, the insurance provided through the RMF is always excess of any other insurance. This insurance does not provide for or replace your personal insurance protection.
Insureds are only covered by the RMF's insurance under the following conditions:
RMF insurance coverage is also specifically restricted or eliminated when other types of conduct are involved. These include, but are not limited to:
No. This is a common question, and it is important to understand that participation in Sigma Chi athletic activities is voluntary. Members and guests assume the risk of injury and participate “at their own risk.” Claims in this area are normally covered by personal health/medical insurance.
No. The RMF insurance coverage is not an accident and health policy. Claims in this area are normally covered by personal health/medical insurance.
Yes. Chapters, chapter officers and other undergraduate members are often named in lawsuits. While not often, house corporations, their members, advisors and other volunteers have been individually named in legal actions. The Named Insureds under the RMF policy are subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of the insurance.
You should always report any potential insurance claim to your personal insurance agent or carrier. The insurance provided as part of RMF membership is in excess of any other insurance available to you, such as your personal or parents' automobile or homeowners insurance.
You should always report any potential insurance claim to your personal insurance agent or carrier. Where permitted by law, the insurance provided for volunteers under the RMF policy is primary and will stand ahead of your personal insurance.
No. Because of State “Automobile Financial Responsibility” Statutes, (laws that require owners or operators of an automobile to maintain primary auto insurance), the operator and owner must rely on their own automobile insurance. RMF insurance provides Hired & Non- Owned Auto coverage to other insureds that may potentially be responsible for auto accidents. This coverage is specifically in excess of any other auto liability insurance that may be available.
The RMF insurance program does not cover loss or damage to personal property–i.e. computers, bikes, books, clothing or other personal items. Usually, loss or damage to your personal property is easily insured under renters insurance or your personal or parents' homeowners policy.
No. As with loss or damage to other personal property, your automobile is not covered by the RMF insurance program.
Total liability contributions are determined by the underwriters to the RMF insurance policy. Some of the more important factors include:
Chapter membership subscription fees are reviewed and determined in accordance with the RMF membership allocation formula. Some of the more important factors include:
A chapter’s membership subscription fee is calculated by taking the membership report as submitted by the chapter to the General Fraternity as of the 1st of each month from September to May (based on the previous school year). The highest and lowest membership counts are then discarded, and the remaining counts are averaged together. This average has been determined to appropriately and equitably account for the average chapter membership over the course of the prior school year.
Statements for each new program year are distributed via e-mail in early August. 1/2 Payment is due in full by September 30, and the other half is due 2/28.
If membership contributions are not paid by the due date, membership in the RMF program may be suspended and insurance coverage terminated. Without insurance, individual chapters and their members may become personally liable for any claims that might arise.
The RMF Board of Directors reviews various aspects of the risk management program annually. Additionally, Sigma Chi Fraternity's Executive Committee reviews the RMF Board's recommendations annually.