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FEED BACK PLEASE
http://fugitiverecovery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=1088		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  DMARTZ [ Fri 16 Sep 2005 11:05 ]
Post subject:  FEED BACK PLEASE
I was contacted today by our Neighborhood Association and asked if i could donate a night a week on the weekend to the neighborhood watch patrol. I have no problem with the request but as being a Licensed PI and Security Agency it kind of sheds a different light on things as to liability issues. I of coarse will contact our attorney but he is on vacation until next week. So I am just asking for opinions here as a conversation topic no legal advise.
Author:  ChuckJ [ Fri 16 Sep 2005 11:39 ]
Post subject: 
David

It's been my experience that insurance companies often scare people into buying huge policies, what if this or that, better be covered just in case, don't do this or that just in case, if you really think about just driving to the store you could get in an accident and be sued for 10 million so after your expensive 1 million dollar insurance policy pays out your still on the hook for another nine million, that's just an analogy, don't let insurance companies, lawyers or fears of liability stop you from participating in something you want to do.

I have a moderate insurance policy but protect my assets by having my home in the name of one corporation, vehicles under the name of another corporation and do business under a third corporation, so if something unexpected ever happens and I get sued for more than my insurance covers then I won't lose everything.
Author:  HoundDog [ Fri 16 Sep 2005 12:01 ]
Post subject: 
It is my understanding that you would be doing this as a volunteer and not as a PI or security company. This being so I do not think it would affect your insurance at all, you are doing this as a citizen and not as a professional company. If you presented yourself to a potential problem that you are a licensed PI and a security company then you probably would open yourself up to your insurance at that point and time. I would only do such work as a regular Joe Citizen volunteer which would make you the same as any of your neighbors.
Author:  baildoc [ Fri 16 Sep 2005 12:13 ]
Post subject: 
I am a licensed PI and lic. bail agent and if I am participating in a function for which I am not under contract, then my insurance does not apply. I'd say go ahead and do it as a volunteer and enjoy!
Author:  Kathy [ Fri 16 Sep 2005 14:06 ]
Post subject: 
David,

When you say "donate" do you mean that they are asking you to volunteer as a citizen of the neighborhood? Or are they asking you to donate your time and expertise as a professional?

As long as you are only doing what any of the other citizens on patrol are doing, and doing it just as a citizen, it should not have any affect on your insurance. On the other hand, if they are asking you to patrol as a professional, it would be the same as any other contract you perform.

Just my opinion...
Author:  SpanielPI [ Sat 17 Sep 2005 06:49 ]
Post subject: 
David,

The difference in representation as "under contract" Vs. "joe citizen" have been discussed enough. I would only add the following:

1) While participating in the Neighborhood watch DO NOT wear any type of company clothing, logo's, etc connecting your company to that activity.

2) Do not PROMOTE your business while perorming your duties...that also lends a connection creating a vicarious liability situation.

3) Do not use a company vehicle for both. If you have a company vehicle registerd for pi, bea, work and then you engage it in one of your patrols and a situation comes up then again you are vulnerable.

The key point that I think everyone is trying to make is to not mix your apples and oranges...if you do you just end up with a fruit salad....:)

Take care and God Bless
Author:  DMARTZ [ Sat 17 Sep 2005 07:47 ]
Post subject: 
Thanks to all of you ,we did get a call from our lawyer and as you all have said keep it John Q. Public.

Mindtracker,
Our lawyer said the exact same thing do not use our company cars, do not wear anything kind of clothing with the company name as he knows i were polo shirts with our name on them. And make sure i don't overstep our authority as John Q. Public on patrol not The Rose Investigations. The only thing i am going to donate from our company is the use of a couple of hand held radio's. Once again thanks for all the feed back. We were all on the same wave link.

Have a good weekend & Be Safe out there.
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