Good hearts need better protection.

Volunteers are the backbone of many nonprofits. Volunteers serve meals, mentor youth, organize fundraisers, manage events, and provide help wherever needed. Most organizations can’t operate without them.

However, a question that is not asked often enough is: what happens if something goes wrong?

When someone gives their time without pay, it feels informal. Friendly. Community-based. Yet from a legal standpoint, volunteers can create actual risks for your organization. That is where volunteer liability insurance becomes essential.

Volunteers may not receive a paycheck, but they still represent your organization. If a volunteer injures someone, damages property, or makes a mistake while acting on your behalf, your nonprofit can be held responsible.

Consider a few common situations:

• A volunteer driver causes an accident while delivering meals
• A mentor gives advice that a parent later claims harmed their child
• A volunteer accidentally damages equipment at an event
• A guest sustains an injury after a slip during a fundraiser setup

Even well-meaning actions can lead to legal claims. Without the right coverage in place, legal defense costs alone may strain your operating budget.

Sometimes, but not always.

General liability insurance covers things like property damage or bodily injury caused by your organization’s operations. However, policies vary. Some include volunteers automatically, while others require volunteers to be specifically listed or endorsed.

This is why reviewing your policy is so important. Assuming coverage is there can leave you exposed if a claim occurs, risking unprotected liabilities.

In addition to general liability, consider volunteer liability insurance that specifically protects unpaid staff, along with Directors and Officers coverage and auto policies if volunteers drive their own vehicles. 

Each nonprofit operates differently, so coverage should reflect the actual activities your volunteers perform.

Volunteers also need protection themselves. If a volunteer is injured while helping your organization, medical bills and lost income can quickly become a concern. Some nonprofits choose to carry volunteer accident coverage to provide limited medical benefits regardless of fault.

Providing proper coverage sends a clear message. You value the people who give their time, and you are committed to protecting them, which can foster trust and gratitude among your volunteers.

At the Wallace Agency, we work with hundreds of nonprofits that rely heavily on volunteers. From food banks to arts programs to community outreach groups, we understand how vital unpaid staff are to your mission.

We also understand how important it is to prevent risk from disrupting that mission. A quick review of your volunteer liability insurance can identify coverage gaps before they turn into problems.

Is your volunteer program fully protected?Call today or click here to schedule a simple coverage review. We will walk through your current policies and confirm that your organization and your volunteers are adequately covered.

When your community steps up to serve, they deserve protection that steps up too.