Insurance & Liability
The ACC carries Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance to protect the organization, its sections, employees, volunteers, and contracted guides from third-party claims for bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury arising from the normal business operations of the ACC and its sections.
:::note Policy period The Insurance Infopack referenced here covers the period Oct 31, 2024 – Oct 31, 2025. An updated version is incoming. Core principles remain consistent; confirm specifics with ACC National. Questions: [email protected] or 403-678-3200. :::
Who is covered?
| Role | Covered? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Section executives and board members | ✅ Yes | When acting in official capacity for sanctioned activities |
| Volunteer trip leaders and co-leaders | ✅ Yes | Vetted by section executive; leading a sanctioned ACC trip |
| Contracted guides / instructors | ✅ Yes | Via Endorsement 7; must be formally engaged by the ACC/section for that event |
| Trip participants (non-official role) | ❌ No | Personal liability falls under their own insurance (homeowners, renters, etc.) |
| Non-members on trips | ⚠️ Limited | Via Endorsement 15; occasionally, on short/low-risk introductory trips only |
What are ACC-sanctioned activities?
Coverage applies to activities within the Normal Business Operations of the ACC, which include: organized trips, camps, AST 1 and AST 2 avalanche courses, education seminars, workshops, ice climbing training and competition, backpacking, hiking/scrambling, alpine climbing, mountaineering and ski mountaineering, indoor gym climbing, rock climbing, top rope rock climbing and rappelling, ski touring and backcountry skiing, nordic skiing, wildlife viewing, social events (barbecues, film festivals, slide shows, fundraisers), Wilderness First Aid Training, outdoor skills and leadership development, and formal dinners.
:::danger Not all member activities are covered Independent programs run by members outside of official ACC events are not covered by the Club's CGL. The trip must be sanctioned, posted through the section, and follow all ACC protocols to remain within scope. :::
Volunteer-led workshops vs. professional courses
| Volunteer-led workshop / clinic | Course or certification | |
|---|---|---|
| Who leads | Vetted volunteer leader or mentor | Contracted guide or instructor (paid) |
| Language to use | "Workshop", "skills review day", "clinic" | "Course", "certification" |
| Coverage | CGL applies when ACC-sanctioned and waiver followed | CGL applies via Endorsement 7 |
| Key note | Must not be marketed as a professional course | Must be formally engaged by the ACC/section |
Non-members on section trips
Non-members may participate occasionally in introductory-level activities under Endorsement 15, with trip leader approval. Requirements:
- Non-members may only join short, low-risk programs designed to introduce the Club — not regular trips
- All participants must sign an ACC waiver prior to the activity
- For non-members, a paper waiver (in ACC's most current form, in colour) must be signed at the start of the event — not ahead of time or by email
- Sections must follow the ACC Waiver Infopack and Waiver Training Protocols
- Gear cannot be lent to non-members — the CGL does not cover lending gear to third parties
Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance
D&O insurance covers liabilities arising from wrongful acts committed while performing corporate duties (breach of contract, alleged errors, misleading statements).
| Section type | D&O required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated sections | Not required | Governance rests with the national board |
| Incorporated sections | Recommended | Can be obtained through ACC's insurance provider |
Recommended section executive role titles
To avoid confusion with National Board titles in the event of a claim, the ACC recommends the following naming for section executive roles:
| Section role (recommended) | Instead of |
|---|---|
| Chair | President |
| Vice-Chair | Vice-President |
| Administrator | Secretary |
| Financial Coordinator | Treasurer |
| Events Coordinator | — |
| Leadership Development Coordinator | — |
Frequently asked questions
If a trip coordinator is also an ACMG guide, are they still covered?
Yes — if they are acting as a trip coordinator on behalf of and under the direction of the ACC on a sanctioned trip or activity, they are within the scope of the CGL.
If a member who is certified to instruct is hired and paid, are they covered?
Yes, provided: the activity is an official sanctioned ACC event; the instructor is operating under ACC direction and policies including waiver administration; and the person has been formally engaged by the ACC/section as a contractor for that event. Coverage applies under Endorsement 7 – Contracted Personnel Endorsement.
If a trip participant is named in legal action after an incident, are they covered?
No. The CGL protects the Club and those acting on its behalf in an official role. Legal action against a participant in a purely personal capacity falls under their own personal liability insurance.
Can sections lend gear to non-members?
No. The ACC CGL does not cover lending gear to third parties. Gear can only be lent to ACC members participating in sanctioned ACC activities.
Are waivers required for activities in Quebec?
In Quebec, waivers are not legally enforceable. However, all participants in ACC sanctioned trips or activities must still be informed of the inherent risks involved before registering.
Can US citizens who are ACC members participate in ACC trips in the US?
No coverage is provided for US nationals on trips in the United States, except those with dual citizenship who reside permanently in Canada.
Related articles
- Trip Planning Overview — what makes a trip ACC-sanctioned
- Minors on ACC Trips — the Abuse Exclusion and overnight trips