Flag fiasco: Maine town removes flags due to inadequate insurance coverage

Due to being unable to meet a coverage threshold, the town of Randolph had to take down its flags

Insurance News

By Lyle Adriano

Although the Randolph Fire Association managed to raise enough funds over a year to purchase and hang 20 American flags throughout the town, a lack of insurance coverage forced the organization to take the flags down.

The utility poles the flags were mounted on are owned by Central Maine Power and Fairpoint Communications, reported WABI TV5.

Technically speaking, Randolph rents the poles from the utility. The town, however, did not meet a $5 million coverage threshold, and thus the flags were taken down. Randolph would have to increase its liability insurance to put the flags back.

"I’m totally upset about it. There shouldn’t be a price put on our veterans for their service to the United States three months out of the year,” said Randolph selectman Robert Henderson.

Randolph’s fire department once again took to raising funds for the cost of the insurance rider, at around $500.

Fortunately for the town, Amity Insurance president Roy Solomon later sent the fire department a check to cover the cost of the rider.

“Because of the fear of being sued and the cost of litigation, everyone is afraid to do things that might get them sued,” said Solomon in an interview with centralmaine.com. “People won’t stop to help someone in need because they’re afraid. People stopped getting involved when they see bad behavior. So when given the opportunity to make a difference, I see it as an opportunity and I’m grateful to be able to help.”


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