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Service-corporation rep: insurance remains a challenge for permanent fairground rides
Summary
A service-corporation representative told commissioners they are pursuing options to insure permanently sited amusement rides at the fairgrounds, including treating some units as steel structures, but said they have no cost estimates yet and are still negotiating with adjusters and insurers.
A representative for the county's service corporation updated commissioners on efforts to secure event insurance and liability coverage for amusement rides owned or operated at the fairgrounds. The representative said discussions with insurers and state officials are ongoing and that one possible approach is to classify permanently sited rides as steel structures in order to obtain coverage.
"They're thinking about actually identifying them at this point in time during those 335 days out of the year, as a steel structure and carrying liability on them as a steel structure," the service corporation representative said. He acknowledged there are no firm cost estimates yet and warned that litigation risk would remain in the event of a claim.
Commissioners and the representative discussed prior use of event insurance for visiting equipment, differences between mobile and permanently sited rides, and the difficulties small organizations face securing affordable premiums. The representative said he will pursue contacts and bring additional information back to the board; commissioners expressed appreciation for the work and asked him to keep the commission apprised as options and costs become clearer.
No motions or funding commitments were made during the update; the topic was placed on the agenda for future follow-up once insurers supply quotes or structural classifications are confirmed.
