Insurance for Regional STEM Fairs

Insurance for Regional STEM Fairs

Overview

All affiliated regional STEM fairs are required to have commercial liability insurance coverage unless the fair is 100% virtual. Youth Science Canada provides affiliated regions with the option of purchasing commercial liability insurance for their regional fair as part of the affiliation process.

YSC Insurance Coverage

Youth Science Canada offers a comprehensive commercial liability insurance package through the affiliation process. The annual fee is $550 and provides the following coverage:

Coverage Type
Limit
Commercial General Liability
$5,000,000
Aggregate Limit of Coverage
$10,000,000
Tenants Legal Liability
$5,000,000
Personal Injury & Advertising Injury Liability
$5,000,000
Non-Owned Auto Liability
$5,000,000
Employee Benefits Liability
$2,000,000
Employers Liability
$2,000,000
Legal Liability for Damage to Non-Owned Automobiles (Rental Car Physical Damage)
$75,000
Products & Completed Operations
Included
Deductible
$2,500
Policy Territory
Worldwide, including the US

How to Add YSC Insurance Coverage

Adding coverage is straightforward through the YSC Portal:

  1. Log in to the YSC Portal as a Regional Coordinator
  2. Navigate to Affiliation > Administration in the sidebar
  3. Select the Insurance tab
  4. Choose "Yes" to opt into YSC's insurance coverage
  5. Complete the affiliation process

The insurance fee will be included in your region's first invoice along with membership, affiliation fees, and CWSF deposits.

Alternative Insurance Options

If your region chooses not to use YSC's insurance coverage, you must provide proof of equivalent commercial liability insurance. This may already be in place if your fair is run by:

  • A school board or school district
  • A college or university
  • Another organization with existing coverage

Uploading Your Certificate of Insurance

If you have your own insurance coverage:

  1. Log in to the YSC Portal as a Regional Coordinator
  2. Navigate to Affiliation > Administration
  3. Select the Insurance tab
  4. Upload your Certificate of Insurance as proof of equivalent coverage

Virtual Fairs

If your regional STEM fair is 100% virtual with no in-person components, commercial liability insurance is not required.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Does the YSC insurance cover travel or flight cancellation to the CWSF?

    1. No. The YSC commercial liability insurance covers your regional fair activities. It does not provide travel insurance or cover flight cancellations for the Canada-Wide Science Fair.

  2. Does the YSC insurance provide extended health coverage for CWSF finalists and delegates?

    1. No. The YSC insurance is commercial liability coverage for regional fair operations. It does not provide health or medical coverage for individuals attending the CWSF.

  3. Is YSC insurance mandatory?

    1. Commercial liability insurance is mandatory for all in-person regional fairs. However, you can choose between:
      • Purchasing coverage through YSC ($550 annually), or
      • Providing your own equivalent coverage and uploading a Certificate of Insurance
    1. Virtual fairs (100% online) are exempt from the insurance requirement.

  1. When is the insurance fee due?

    1. The insurance fee is included in your first affiliation invoice and is due by the affiliation payment deadline (typically December 31 for the upcoming CWSF year).

  2. What does "Commercial General Liability" cover?

    1. Commercial General Liability insurance protects your regional fair organization against claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury that may occur during your fair activities. This includes coverage for incidents at your venue during the event.

Questions?

If you have questions about insurance requirements or coverage, please contact Lori Murray at lori.murray@youthscience.ca.

This article provides general guidance about insurance options for regional STEM fairs. For specific coverage questions or claims, please consult your insurance provider or Youth Science Canada directly.

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