Ri$k Happens: Stake through the Heart(land)

Jul. 31, 2022 - By Mary Ann Gormly - Loss Analyst, ARA Insurance

Each year, one rental operation provides tents, tables, chairs and other items for a festival. Every year like clockwork the person in charge of the event contacts the rental store’s event coordinator to discuss that year’s theme and colors so they can reserve everything that is needed far in advance.

This year was no different. Items were secured, loaded up and delivered on the appointed day. A buzz was in the air as everyone was setting up their own areas. As the rental store employees were installing one of the tents, a shout went up. Water began bubbling up from the ground. A water pipe that had not been marked properly had been punctured by a tent stake.

The rental store employee in charge of getting the site marked by the utilities prior to installing the tents called their contact and got them out to the fairgrounds. Someone had made an error and the tent crew had punctured a water pipe that wasn't supposed to be there. The rental store's manager contacted their insurance company who opened a claim. Since it was the fault of the company who was contracted to mark the utilities, the insurance company was able to collect the amount of the damages from them.

This item, provided by ARA Insurance, Overland Park, Kan., contains safety tips and is intended to help readers better understand and manage risk. For more safety and risk management information, customers of ARA Insurance can log on to ReSource. Access is free, so if you haven’t signed up yet, contact your agent or call 800-821-6580.