We have received some disturbing news which you will likely be seeing in your mailbox soon, if not already.

The "Ye Olde World Living History Foundation" (YOWLHF) through which we obtained our insurance this year has informed us that its insurance carrier has declined to renew the General Liability Insurance ("Part A") policy under which we were covered. Their letter is below.

What this means is that until further notice, and unless YOWLHF can find another carrier, we are without General Liability Insurance. We do still have Personal Liability Insurance (referred to as "Part B" by YOWLHF).

We, the Officers and Board of Clan Iain Abrach ~ MacIain, are seeking other avenues to obtain General Liability Insurance.

!!! If you know of another organization or Insurance Provider through whom we might be able to obtain coverage, please let me know As SOON As Possible !!!

We are not alone in this predicament. We learned of YOWLHF through other Guilds in Northern California. We believe there are many Guilds in this same situation.

For now we don't know whether this situation will affect our ability to participate in any future events. We also don't yet know whether we will be receiving any refund.

We will keep you informed as we know more.

Thank you for your patience during this rough time.

Scott Hutchinson, Communications Manager, on behalf of:
The Officers of Clan Iain Abrach ~ MacIain, Historical Reenactment Guild
The Board of Clan Iain Abrach ~ MacIain, Non-Profit Corporation

The following was posted on Old West & Ye Olde World Living History Foundation web page. We believe the plan "B" part is still in effect.

http://oldwest.org/OWLHF-web-site/insurance/plan-a.htm

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INSURANCE PLAN A

NOTE: Important announcement regarding the Comprehensive Reenactors Spectator General Liability Insurance policy held by the Old West & Ye Olde World Living History Foundation... Letter mailed the week of August 15, 2004 from the Founder & CEO of the foundation to all 17,000 members.:

Greetings from the... Old West & Ye Olde World Living History Foundation
I hope you had a great season this year. I founded this organization in 1996. We have grown to 17,000 members. Last year our members participated in over 6,000 special events. We are a living history organization, not an insurance company. The primary reason I started this organization was to find general liability coverage, special event & special risk coverage for our members & the Living History community.

Since the "911" attack on the twin towers, 95% of the commercial general liability insurance companies dropped out of the business of covering associations. Because of our excellent safety record Clarendon Intrn'l Ins. was willing to cover us. In the last year we have experienced a high rate of claims from our membership. Insurance cost & coverage is based upon risk assessment i.e. ...the number of people, special events & claims filed. Because of our recent high rate of claims, Clarendon Intrn'l Ins. has decided they no longer wish to cover us in the future. We have been notified that as of August 22, at 12:01 AM on the transition from Saturday to Sunday, our General Liability Ins., (what we call PLAN A) has been cancelled & will end, Sunday, August 22, 2004.

The foundation is still diligently working to serve you. We are in the course of trying to find new general liability insurance coverage. As of this mailing I have not found new general liability coverage for our members. Our membership & Special Risk coverage, or PLAN B is still in place.

I regret with all my heart that I had to bring this news to you. The Foundation staff & I, have worked to serve you for nearly 10 years and will continue. I will post a detailed letter regarding all of the issues on our websites at www.oldwest.org & www.renfaire.org
Watch our websites in the insurance area for detailed updates.

God Bless, say a prayer, best wishes & play safe.

Sincerely,

Dusty Webb

2608 ½ CENTRAL AVE, CODY, WY 82414 P (307) 587-1872 F 587-1875

PS. I am posting this note today. I will be making updates. I will be explaining this in detail and trying to answer all of your questions tomorrow. As we have 17,000 members it is difficult to get back with each one of you on the phone at this time. There are FAQ that I will address on Saturday.

Best regards, Dusty