Can we learn from past experience?

An annual review of incidents, injuries, and insurance claims should be one of the key elements in your risk management plan.

Before we begin a new year, and while there is still time to plan and prepare for next summer, let's review some actual claims in the Accredited Camp Insurance program of the American Camping Association.

Automobile Incidents

The operation of cars, vans, and buses represents one of the truly significant catastrophic exposures in camp. The main problem is loss of control. When we put campers and staff in vehicles and drive them down the road at 55 mph, or faster, we are unable to control the environment the way we do at camp. Campers become exposed to all the hazards of the road as well as to mechanical problems of vehicles on the road.

In spite of the risks, transportation of campers and staff can be managed safely. It requires a dedication to safety, superior maintenance, and training.

Backing up -- In the analysis Markel Rhulen Underwriters recently conducted of camp automobile claims, backing up accidents occurred with the greatest frequency. This is probably no surprise to veteran directors.

While these incidents generally did not involve much damage to vehicles, they can have a greater impact on your business than the cost of repairing the damage to the vehicles. The damage, to the back door for example, may have been severe enough that you had to get, and pay for, a replacement vehicle. Campers invariably carry the word back home that their van was "in an accident." If you experience many of these type of accidents, you may also see an increase in the cost of collision insurance and might be required to take higher deductibles. Prevention is the key.

A proactive, inexpensive way of managing the risk is to have a spotter help direct the driver when the vehicle is backing up. At a minimum, drivers, if they are alone, should be instructed to do a visual check behind their vehicle before backing up.

Speeding and Inattentiveness -- The analysis of severe automobile accidents in our study consistently showed drivers traveling too fast for roads or for road conditions as the main cause. Under these circumstances, drivers can not adjust to changes in traffic flow or to traffic lights.

We've seen a significant increase in accidents where camp vehicles are striking other vehicles in the rear. Many of these accidents occur in vans and involve traffic violations. The most common violation in the study was running traffic lights and stop signs, followed by a failure to yield the right of way while turning left.

Combine speed too fast for conditions with driver inattentiveness or distraction, and we have the potential for a disastrous accident. Stringent driver selection standards, maturity of drivers, and training have a significant impact on reducing the potential for catastrophic accidents. You can not over manage this exposure.

Vandalism -- Other trends to be aware of include an increasing number of automobile vandalism claims, and a jump in the number of claims for damage to roofs of rental vans. The risk of vandalism and theft can be reduced by training staff to look for signs and to be aware of their surroundings when parking and leaving a vehicle. The damage to the vans was attributable to overloading roof racks on trips. Instructions should be given to trip leaders on how to load the roof rack and on how much weight it can handle.

Bodily Injury / Liability

The cost of buying liability insurance for camp program activities has been relatively stable over the past few years, but the size of liability claims has been going up. It is shocking to realize that a broken bone can cost up to $20,000 or more to repair, depending on the nature and location of the break.

Some of the bodily injury incidents in our study that resulted in claims of $50,000 or more include:

* fractured leg while playing soccer

* boat collision with another boat while waterskiing

* fall from parallel bars during gymnastics 

* fractured leg from a horse kick

* dog bite to the face

* bicycle accident resulting in a puncture wound to the neck

* sexual abuse and molestation of camper

Medical expenses traditionally run highest for those injuries requiring rehabilitative care such as knee sprains, broken legs, head trauma, and psychological counseling.

Our report revealed that over a three-year period the most frequent injury occurred to the face, followed by the hand/wrist, foot/ankle, arm/elbow, and leg.

The type of injuries suffered by campers most frequently were fractures, sprains/strains, lacerations, sexual abuse/molestation, and contusions.

Fractured teeth and contusions were the usual injury to the face, followed by fractures of fingers, wrists, legs, ankles, and arms.

Sprains and strains were primarily to the ankle and knee. Lacerations were primarily to the hands from knives during camp craft.

Sexual molestation and abuse allegations increased during the three years of the study. We think this is attributable to some degree to increased awareness. Many of these claims involve allegations of inappropriate touches. Some are closed with no payment for injury.

The activity with the highest frequency was basketball, followed by soccer, horseback riding, aquatics (boating and swimming) and gymnastics.

There was also an increase in the number of violent acts that are taking place between campers. This includes fighting and displays of temper that result in injury to campers or damage to property. This is of great concern.

Can we learn from experience? Absolutely! It is vital and imperative that we improve constantly. What was your experience last summer? What trends do you see in your camper population that indicate chance in your safety and risk management practices? Take the time now to consider this information and compare it to your own experience. Are changes necessary? Good luck!

Ed Schirick is senior vice president of the Markel Rhulen Underwriters and Brokers camp and youth recreation division. He is a charted property casualty underwriter and a certified insurance counselor. Send your risk management inquiries to: Ed Schirick, c/o Markel Rhulen Underwriters and Brokers, 4600 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA 23058.