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Member, Beacon International Group, Ltd.
KINGMAN, Ariz.-Claims for property damage and liability are expected to fall within Amtrak's retention for the derailment of a train earlier this month in Arizona.
The train, Southwest Chief, was traveling to Chicago from Los Angeles with 294 passengers and 16 crew aboard its 16 cars and four locomotives. Traveling at 88 mph, the train derailed while crossing a small bridge near Kingman, Ariz., about 100 miles southeast of Las Vegas. About 150 people were treated for injuries, 17 of whom were admitted to the hospital.
An investigation revealed that the ground supporting the bridge had washed away, possibly from a severe rainstorm, a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said. The bridge, built in 1922, then collapsed, probably before the train arrived, he said. Further tests will be conducted to determine exactly why the ground support was washed away.
An Amtrak spokesman said it was too early to estimate the damage to the train or the medical expenses of the injured, but he said it would not exceed the company's retention.
Amtrak's liability insurance of $100 million has a $10 million self-insured retention. Attaching at $10 million is a $15 million coverage layer underwritten by Lexington Insurance Co. in Boston and syndicates at Lloyd's of London.
Above that sits $25 million excess of $25 million underwritten by Transportation & Railroads Assurance Co. Ltd., a Bermuda mutual insurer. X.L. Insurance Co. in Bermuda underwrites a $50 million in excess of $50 million layer.
Amtrak has $150 million in property insurance with a $10 million deductible for derailments. Arkwright Mutual Insurance Co. in Waltham, Mass., underwrites the insurance.