The Master Liability Program cannot assume responsibility for conducting a parade.

In most cases, the city, state or county will want to be named as additional insured under the Elks Master Liability Program. Such certificates will not be issued. The sponsoring Lodge must purchase separate independent parade insurance. For example, many Lodges sponsor Mardi-Gras parades and always have extensive independent insurance coverage.

If any Lodges do attempt to sponsor a parade, the Lodge should also make sure that all outside participants indemnify the Lodge and name the Lodge as additional insured under that entity’s general liability policy (in addition to obtaining parade insurance). In order to finance the necessary independent insurance, the Lodge can charge the outside entities a fee.

If the Lodge is only a participant with a float or a vehicle in a parade sponsored by others and a certificate of insurance is required, the Master Liability Program will provide this coverage. To repeat, the only prohibition is if a Lodge attempts to be responsible for the total parade.