AERC membership options for 2009: 1 year regular membership (no insurance benefits); 2 year membership (no insurance benefits); 1 year gold membership (includes insurance benefits).

One-year membership (No insurance benefits): dues are $65 individual plus $15 for each additional family member.

AERC will continue to offer our regular one-year membership that we have always offered to our individual and family members. The individual dues have remained constant over the past 10 years.

Three-year membership (No insurance benefits): dues are $165 for individuals, plus $45 for each additional family member.

AERC is pleased to announce a new discount three-year membership program. For members who do not like to think about joining annually or for members who would just like to have a discount, you may be interested in this level. Members will pay a discounted fee for the three-year membership. This membership level will be offered to individual and family members. The new liability insurance program is not a benefit of this level of membership but can be added by request on a yearly basis.

Gold-level membership Add an additional $20 for individual or $40 for family membership.

Starting December 1, 2008, AERC will offer a new Gold Level membership division. With this level of membership we are pleased to include personal excess liability insurance though our partnership with Equisure, Inc. This insurance policy through Equisure offers peace of mind for Gold Level AERC members since the unexpected in the horse world can be costly.

Specifically, the $1 million personal excess liability coverage includes claims brought against members of the AERC arising from the use and/or ownership of a horse and for horse-related accidents involving bodily injury or property damage to others. There is no deductible for this coverage.

Coverage is $1,000,000 aggregate limit; $1,000,000 per occurrence limit.

The limit provided under this policy is a per household limit and is shared by all members of the same residence according to individual or family membership.

The Gold Level membership is available for single year membership only; it is not available on the new three-year level.

Horse registration fees increase

As of December 1, 2008, the lifetime horse registration fee will increased to $15 per horse. This is a one-time registration fee in which your horse will receive an AERC number. This insures that all your miles and points on the horse will be recorded.

New members will continue to receive a one-time registration of one horse included with their first-time membership.

More on Gold Level coverage

The coverage starts when your membership is approved and the premium paid to Equisure. Coverage ends November 30 of each year.

Gold Level members will have evidence of insurance (a brief summary of coverage, conditions and exclusions) which will be distributed to members. This evidence is not to be posted on websites or reproduced in any fashion without written consent from Equisure. This policy is excess over any other valid and collectible insurance. If you have primary insurance coverage this policy would be excess over that insurance. If you have no insurance this policy would become primary.

Gold Level members are also covered for equine-related incidences away from your residence, including where you may board your horse. You are covered for bodily injury and/or property damage for an equine-related incident that you are held legally liable for.

This policy does not provide animal mortality coverage for horses you own.

The individual Gold Level membership includes the member and permanent residents of the household under the age of 18. The Gold Level family membership includes the member and spouse plus permanent members of the household under the age of 18.

This is not a medical insurance policy for you. If you should fall off your own horse and get hurt you would need to have your own health/medical insurance.

There is no coverage provided for liability arising out of your business or profession or the use of a horse-drawn vehicle for hire orthe practice or preparation in racing under the rules of any legally constituted racing authority.

If you feel you need to file a claim:

1. Write down all the details about the incident while they are fresh in your mind.

2. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

3. Do not admit fault or make any monetary payment.

4. Contact Equisure at 800-752-2472.

Note: This is only a brief description of the coverage. Please see the policy for exclusions, terms and conditions. You may request a copy of the policy by emailing angie@equisure-inc.com.