Template 27

Use Template 27 for:

• Commercial Balloonist Operators

Insurance requirements should be saved and attached to the contract as an exhibit. To ensure the requirements are included as part of your contract, please include the following language within the insurance section of the agreement:

_______ is required to maintain the insurance specified in Exhibit _____, which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.

Edit the template to keep the language consistent with your agreement.

For example: if the template refers to: “Consultant”, but the agreement uses “Contractor”, change all references in the template to “Contractor”. If your agency is not the County (SCAPOSD, Water Agency, Fairgrounds, etc.) substitute the correct terminology for all references to “County”. If the agreement is called “contract”, “license”, “lease”, etc., edit the template to match.

Download Template 27

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Operators must maintain the insurance coverage required in this Permit. These requirements cannot be waived unless Risk Management issues a formal Waiver of  Insurance Requirements.

The County may review policies and endorsements but has no obligation to do so. Failure by the County to demand or identify deficiencies does not relieve the Operator of its duty to maintain coverage.

General Rules

• Named Insured: The insurance must be issued in the full legal name of the Operator (not just a “dba”).
• Additional Insured: The County of Sonoma, its officers, agents, and employees must be named as Additional Insureds on General Liability, Auto, and Aircraft Liability policies.
• Primary & Non-Contributory: Coverage must apply on a primary basis and not contribute with County insurance or self-insurance.
• Financial Strength: Insurers must have an A.M. Best rating of at least A:VII
• Evidence of Insurance: Operators must provide Certificates of Insurance and copies of required endorsements before operations begin, and keep coverage current throughout the Permit term.

Workers’ Compensation

• Required if the Operator has employees.
• If no employees exist, coverage is not required, but must be obtained if employees are later hired.
• Employers’ Liability minimum limits: $1,000,000 per Accident / $1,000,000 Disease per employee / $1,000,000 Disease per policy.
• Operators with no employees must complete a Workers’ Compensation Declaration
• Required Evidence: Certificate of Insurance.

General Liability

• Commercial General Liability Insurance (ISO CG 00 01 or equivalent), or Aviation Liability Insurance with premises/ground operations endorsement covering balloon launch and recovery sites.
• Minimum limits: $1,000,000 per Occurrence; $2,000,000 Aggregate (if available). Excess/Umbrella may be used to meet limits.
• The County of Sonoma, its officers, agents, and employees must be endorsed as Additional Insureds, and coverage for the County shall be primary and non-contributory.
• Required Evidence:
  • Copy of endorsement showing Primary & Non-Contributory language.
  • Copy of Additional Insured endorsement (General Liability or Aviation Liability, as applicable).
  • Certificate of Insurance.

Automobile Liability

• Minimum limit: $1,000,000 Combined Single Limit per accident.
• Must cover owned, hired, and non-owned autos.
• Must also cover chase/recovery vehicles used in balloon operations.
• The County of Sonoma, its officers, agents, and employees must be endorsed as Additional Insureds, and coverage for the County shall be primary and non-contributory.
• Required Evidence: Certificate of Insurance.

Aircraft Liability

• Aircraft (Aviation) Liability Insurance covering hot-air balloons, written on a commercial basis.
• Minimum limits: $1,000,000 per occurrence for balloons carrying up to 10 passengers, plus $100,000 per passenger above 10.
• Must apply to owned and non-owned balloons.
• The County of Sonoma, its officers, agents, and employees must be endorsed as Additional Insureds, and coverage for the County shall be primary and non-contributory.
• Required Evidence: Certificate of Insurance issued by the aviation insurer (not just the broker).

Standards for Insurance Companies

Insurers, other than the California State Compensation Insurance Fund, must have an A.M. Best’s rating of at least A:VII

Documentation

• All certificates and endorsements must be sent to:
  • County of Sonoma, its officers, agents and employees
    c/o Airport Manager
    Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport
    2290 Airport Boulevard
    Santa Rosa, CA 95403