Insurance availability. FF Association possibility

[johncinquo]

EDIT: If after reading this, you have an interest, please send me your name, address or at least state, and how you would like to be contacted.  I can't get quote requests or send them out for "Jimbo".  I will try and PM or email people as the post an interest, but the amount of contacts is growing fast.  I am keeping track of everyone as much as I can by board name and what programs they are interested in, but as it grows you can imagine it is a lot of information.  All information is held in the strictest confidentiality. 


Well I have been working on this idea for awhile now, and am finally posting it up for review and comments.
I have formed a partnership with another agency that writes Property/Casualty (Liability) insurance.  We have been asking and reviewing with carriers to find some markets for sawmillers.  As of now, we are taking applications and producing proposals and quotes for stationary sawmills.  We are working on Michigan applications only, for now.  If you are outside of Michigan and have an interest, please contact me as well.  Once there is enough interest in a state, we will add that state to our menu.  If you have a mobile mill and have an interest, please contact me as well.  Again, once I can show enough numbers and interest, then the carriers will open up to mobile millers.  For them, it simply is a numbers game, they have to be able to spread the risk across a wide enough population in order to justify taking on the risk. 

We are also seeking interest in opening up membership in a Forestry Forum Association.  The FFA is in existence for many purposes, and will have several benefits to its members.  As with all memberships, there may be a small fee involved.  The fee will go directly to the FFA, and help with costs associated with the FFA, and FF itself, and benefiting its members.  One of those benefits will be possible reduced rates on your Liabilty insurance rates.  If you have an interest, please contact me so that we can begin to put the viable numbers together.  I will be working closely with Jeff to set up and put into operation this association.  His vision of having a place where anyone can visit, a rookie or veteran can benefit, and a "Family" of people that come together, will be the key foundation in the establishment of this association.

As a member of the FFA, you will have access to Health Insurance programs that you might not qualify for as a individual, sole proprietor, or family.  We plan on offering this group insurance program in several states right off the bat, but any other states that can show enough interest can be added.  At the same time, if you are better served with an individual plan, we can recommend one for you. 

Please let me know your thoughts, comments, questions, concerns. I am happy to address anything I can and look forward to working with many more FF members either individually or with an association.  Hopefully this will grow to fruition and be a great addtion to an idea that started small and has turned into such a great place. 

[Jeff]

John and I talked again today about making this happen for Forestry Forum members. If we were to form an Association, there are many benefits that can open up to us as a group. The idea of an Association is on top of the actual Forestry Forum membership. The Forestry Forum itself would remain as it is. You can join and post and enjoy what ever you find within its virtual walls. ;D  An Association would be an expansion of what we have here. We have such a large group of people now working towards the same goals every day, that we should exploit that. We should use it to find benefits, savings, opportunities, and even influence that are not available to us as individuals.

The purpose of this thread is to gather opinions and find out if the interest exists to pursue this.

[Greg]

John,

I am interested in some kind of group insurance that could be offered by such an association you describe. In am in Ohio, not Michigan

As a part timer/log scrounger, my primary need would be something along the lines of a simple, hopefully inexpensive liability policy that I could present to a property owner who has a tree/log needing removal or chopped up loaded on my truck and hauled off, or in some case chainsaw milled on site into manageable cants or quarters just to get it moved.

As you know, many (sensible) property owners won't let people on their property with dangerous machinery like sawmills, chainsaws, etc. I spoke to my homeowner/vehicle insurance company about such a liability policy and he looked at my like I had three heads. I don't run a sawmill 10 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week, so my needs are somewhat minimal, but still need that piece of paper.

Thanks for floating the idea, sounds very worthwhile.
Greg

[stumpy]

My interest is in the following areas
1) Insurance both stationary and mobile
2) Other insurance such as health
3) Group related discounts on anything else

I am interested in these things, but most importantly, I hope to see the forum remain the place that it's always been.  Jeff, do you have any thoughts on how these changes may affect the advertising and link to the web through the FF ?

[Jeff]

I don't expect to change the Forestry Forum website at all because of an association. The Forestry Forum website is the tool that has brought us all together. Those numbers are what can give us opportunity, however we have to have an official association to take advantage. A Forestry Forum Association is a different animal. If it (the association) needed a website it would be separate function from the Forestry Forum. 

[Jeff]

I don't expect

Amendment to the post above.  I won't change the Forestry Forum for an association

[DanG]

The purpose of this thread is to gather opinions and find out if the interest exists to pursue this.

OK, I'm interested!  Let's get on with the pursuit phase. ;D 8) 8)

I think this is a great idea, and a step forward for this site that has come to mean so much to so many.  It would also add some credence to being a member here.  It sounds so much better to say you are a member of an Association, rather than a website, too. :D

I assume there would be some sort of annual membership dues.  I think that would be a good thing, and part of that could go to help with the expenses of the ForestryForum.

[Fla._Deadheader]

Is this gonna be available to those residing outside the USA ???

[johncinquo]

Yes, the Forestry Forum will not change at all.  
The connection is simply how the association got started.  I have been calling it "Forestry Forum Association" for lack of a better term, it could be called "The Home Sawyers and Amatuers Cutters Association" or anything that would work for that matter.  It is common denominator that brings together group of people, that leads to an association.  Co-ops, non-profit clubs, building trades, etc. have similar organizations they work with.
The Forestry Forum will not change.  
Greg, I understand exactly where your coming from.  Its a hobby for a lot of people, and paying a huge bill for insurance to pursue that hobby might put it out of reach for a lot of people.  At the same time, more and more people are charging someone to take a tree away, mill something into lumber, cut on site, cut on shares, and as soon as you have come to an agreement, and you get offer, acceptance, and promise of payment, your in a business deal.  Any accident goes wrong after that, and you can be held liable.  I am hoping to come up with something for the hobbyist to CYA, as well as the guy who is moving into full production and sawing for a living.  I have listened to many different people on here and elsewhere and how they are going about covering themselves, some of it is good, some of it iffy at best, and some of it is just play scary.  If we can offer an option, then hopefully it can help a lot of people out.
Did I mention the forum won't be changing?   :D
I'm taking down info as we go, feel free to send me your inputs and info so I can have a running tally of people interested.  
I posted this in Business forum, it is part of running your "business" even if it is a hobby, and that is a members only area.  Jeff has moved it here and I am sure we will get a lot more views than tucked away in there.  

[Ironwood]

I currently have decent insurance for my business and my wife (anchor, that is a good thing) provide health coverage thru her work. I would gladly join just to be a part of a good thing, and if ever needed (say, I scale back operations) then perhaps a policy with less exposure for the carrier would make sense for me.



Count me in for the FFA, Reid

[johncinquo]

Is this gonna be available to those residing outside the USA ???

Being a member?  Sure!  Being insured, No. 

We do have plans that cover medical while traveling abroad, but not if you have moved or taken up residency, as I understand you have.  You dont need insurance down there anyway, I hear they just take ya out back if'n you cant work.   :D

[Fla._Deadheader]

I'll try to keep up with what goes on, anyway ??

[ronwood]

Jeff & johncinquo

I would have an interest in the association. At this time I don't have a need for health insurance. You can never tell when that can change.

One of the things that worry me the most if I was self employed would be is health insurance. My sister & brother in law continue to have problems. Maybe my observations are incorrect on this, but it appears (based on my sister and brother-in-law experiences) to me if you are self employed and you have a claim on your insurance plan that the insurance company can raise your rates to such a point that you can not afford them hoping that you will drop there plan. A group plan through an association might help. I would be interested if that is the case.

Ron

[Burlkraft]

My interest is in the following areas
1) Insurance both stationary and mobile
2) Other insurance such as health
3) Group related discounts on anything else

I am interested in these things, but most importantly, I hope to see the forum remain the place that it's always been.  Jeff, do you have any thoughts on how these changes may affect the advertising and link to the web through the FF ?

I'm right in line with Stumpy....This will give me the ability to start my company now and get back to my normal homeowners insurance....... ;D ;D ;D

[Greg]

  I am hoping to come up with something for the hobbyist to CYA, as well as the guy who is moving into full production and sawing for a living.

...

I have listened to many different people on here and elsewhere and how they are going about covering themselves, some of it is good, some of it iffy at best, and some of it is just play scary.  If we can offer an option, then hopefully it can help a lot of people out.

Sounds great, more power to you. Its seems a natural pattern for many that a niche/hobby can eventually turn into a small business, either part time or full. Having access to an organization with "CYA" policies for either situation would be a invaluable from my perspective.

Please keep us posted on your progress,

Greg

[woodhick]

 I am currently ok with health insurance but as other's have said that can change in an instant.  I would be interested in liability for a portable mill business though. 

[wwsjr]

FFA is yes, with dues if necessary. I am retired military, health insurance is not a need  I have. I am only 2 years away from medicare with military supplement. Mill insurance and liability would be great. I presently have mill insurance, not liability, through Travelers. Homeowners ???, now with Farm Bureau with annual dues in Association.

[WH_Conley]

Count me in.

[Don K]

I will be following this thread with interest. I would love to start my own sawing and woodworking business and insurance is a big factor in stepping out on your own. I feel like I am part of a Assoc. already. OK with me if it goes official.

[Corley5]

I'm interested in the sawmill insurance  8)  Looking forward to updates  Pop_corn

[Quartlow]

John,

I am interested in some kind of group insurance that could be offered by such an association you describe. In am in Ohio, not Michigan

As a part timer/log scrounger, my primary need would be something along the lines of a simple, hopefully inexpensive liability policy that I could present to a property owner who has a tree/log needing removal or chopped up loaded on my truck and hauled off, or in some case chainsaw milled on site into manageable cants or quarters just to get it moved.

Thanks for floating the idea, sounds very worthwhile.
Greg

I'm in the same exact boat as Greg, heh even the same state. This is something that is of great interest to me.

[farmerdoug]

Count me in for the sawmill and maybe the health too.

Farmerdoug

[dutchman]

FFA is a great idea, with whatever might be involved.
Anything that helps cut costs is worth some disscussion.

dutchman

[Dan_Shade]

I'd be interested in portable mill liability.

[jackpine]

Count me in with Stumpy and Burlkraft. That's 3 Wisconsin requests

[BBTom]

I would be third from that state down south ( Go Bucks)  that has interest in liability. 

[WDH]

I would gladly join an Association that would provide funding support to The Forestry Forum, among other things as well.

[Gilman]

I would be interested in liability for a portable mill business

[johncinquo]

If after reading this, you have an interest, please send me your name, address or at least state, and how you would like to be contacted.  I can't get quote requests or send them out for "Jimbo".  I will try and PM or email people as the post an interest, but the amount of contacts is growing fast.  I am keeping track of everyone as much as I can by board name and what programs they are interested in, but as it grows you can imagine it is a lot of information.  All information is held in the strictest confidentiality.

[oakiemac]

I'm in!

I'll send you a pm.

Good idea.

[srt]

Sounds like a good idea.  put me on the list.  Thanks for what you are doing!!

[getoverit]

I'm interested in the health coverage and I'm in Florida... same state as DanG and Tom