Alna selectmen approved the use of a new liability insurance policy for town-owned buildings during their Jan. 11 meeting. Alna Town Clerk Amy Warner introduced a web-based insurance policy to selectmen during the Monday night meeting.
The policy, Tenant Users Liability Insurance Program (TULIP), covers the town’s insurance liability in renting out buildings to tenants for various events. The tenants and town would be covered under each policy tied to one particular event, said Warner. The TULIP policy is offered through HUB International New England.
The town might rent out use of the historical Alna Village School (also referred to as Puddle Dock schoolhouse) and Alna Meeting House for weddings and other affairs. Board of Selectmen Chair Billie Willard said she has officiated weddings at the Meeting House and said the ceremonies are quite common. Selectman David Seigars said the town also rents out space in the newly constructed fire station, but the department has its own insurance.
“People would at least have a choice,” Warner said of whether or not to choose the policy.
A sheet provided at the meeting offers a summary of the policy and why the town needs it. The general public is covered under Alna’s General Liability Insurance, but independent entities and outside parties using town buildings for various events are not. Warner said requests to use town buildings have become common. The policy coverage has a $1 million limit for bodily injury and property damage.
By its description, the process for potential tenants is initially straightforward. Interested parties view the policy on the TULIP website (www.ebi-ins.com/tulip) and fill out the necessary information. They include the identification of the building they want to rent out and answer some questions in an on-line form.
Those who want to purchase an insurance policy through TULIP can do so online with their credit card information. Copies of the policy are then sent to the tenant and town.
