Liability Insurance for Volunteers
Question 1: I wonder how your programs deal with insurance, liability, or "risk" in monitoring effluent dominated streams? Also, do you have insurance for volunteers in water quality monitoring in general?
Question 2: Do any of the nonprofit organizations out there use volunteers in diving or snorkeling activities? Do you have general liability insurance?
Question 3: Are there liability insurace carriers that specialize in insuring volunteer watershed organizations?
Question 1
From: Kris Stepenuck <kris.stepenuck@ces.uwex.edu>
Subject: [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
To: volmonitor@lists.epa.gov, csreesvolmon@lists.uwex.edu
Hi all
I was asked a good question by a colleague about liability insurance and volunteer monitors. I thought it would be useful to hear your input about how the issue is dealt with in your program. Specifically, I wonder how your programs deal with insurance, liability, or "risk" in monitoring effluent dominated streams? Also, do you have insurance for volunteers in water quality monitoring in general?
Thanks so much everyone!
Kris Stepenuck
Water Action Volunteers/ Volunteer Stream Monitoring Coordinator
UW-Extension and WI Department of Natural Resources
210 Hiram Smith Hall
1545 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1289|
Phone: 608-265-3887
Fax: 608-262-2031
Responses
Subject: [volmonitor] Regarding Liability Insurance
To: Volunteer water monitoring <volmonitor@lists.epa.gov>
Regarding Liability Insurance:
Our watershed group has Directors and Officers Insurance, and
Liability Insurance which is general, from a private
insurance agent. We added insurance for volunteer
water monitoring. At the time I inquired around and found that there was
an insurance company specifically for watershed and
environmental groups. I got the paperwork and had
everyone look it over.
The application was very detailed and regrettably our people
did not want to be bothered. Although it would have been
less expensive, and in the long run would have been better
for our group to switch all of our insurance to this group,
they would not go through the application and complete it.
The following year they reviewed all information and stayed with
a private carrier for same reason. The policy we have is general
for nonprofits and not specific for some of the needs we have.
I would suggest inquiring [about a policy called] Conserve-A-Nation. See http://www.alliantinsurance.com/services/specialty/MoreIndustries/nonprofit/conserveanation/default.aspx
Additionally I have all volunteers sign a waiver. If they are under age
18, their parents, as well as the younger person, must sign. They are
required to read it and not just sign it. I go over safety precautions
very often, and in this state where Lyme disease is rampant, I have
a separate set of precautions for that which In INSIST on.
[Volunteers] sign a statement about data collection
and a statement that they have read and understood the safety precautions
that we review and that are in their manual.
Additionally volunteers are covered theoretically under the National
Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 and
New Jersey has a Volunteer Protection Act, which is more rigorous.
For information on both NJ and Federal acts see http://www.njnonprofits.org/vol_protect_act.html
"Another section of the immunity law (N.J.S.A. 2A:53A-7.1) provides that
uncompensated volunteers, trustees and officers are not liable for damages
related to their services on behalf of charitable non-profits, in cases of
ordinary negligence. No distinction is made between recipients of the
non-profits' services and strangers, meaning that unpaid trustees, officers
and volunteers are covered in their individual capacities regardless of
whether the person suffering damages is a beneficiary of the group's
services."
The above page from The Center for Nonprofits gives an insurance discussion.
There is also an article about Liability in an older issue of
The Volunteer Monitor, EPA's publication -see The Volunteer Monitor, Volume 8, No. 1, Spring 1996 "Liability Insurance & Waivers" http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/volunteer/issues.htm
Does this mean we have covered all bases?
Likely not.
[signature removed for privacy purposes]
example WAIVER and other materials from respondent:
I hereby acknowledge that I am fully informed about the possible risks and
potential for injury or loss to myself and to my personal or real property
associated with activities and participation in the [sponsoring program name here] ("the Program"). Such risks may
include, but are not limited to, those associated with water-sampling,
water-related activities, equipment usage and handling, adverse weather
conditions, other natural conditions, and exposure to the outdoor
environment and the like. I acknowledge that the [participating sponsoring agencies here] shall not be responsible for any loss
or claims to myself or my property, and shall in no event be construed to
have assumed any duty to me or my property by virtue of my participation in
the Program. I also understand that I am not considered to be an employee,
agent or representative of the [participating sponsoring agencies here] and agree not to hold
myself out as such to other persons. I have read and understood safety
precautions and outdoor precautions (initial and date)
______________________________________
Knowing these facts, and in consideration of your accepting my entry into
the citizen volunteer program, I hereby expressly assume all risks and
liability for injury or damage caused to myself or to my property. I (or my
parents, guardians or responsible adults if a minor) assume liability for
all injuries or damage caused by myself to others or their property. I
further, for myself, my heirs and my executors, covenant not to sue and
waive, release and discharge the[participating sponsoring agencies here] and any
supporting organizations, and their agents, representatives, volunteer
leaders or officers, assigns or anyone lawfully acting on their behalf from
any and all claims, damages, losses, demands, and actions f any kind
whatsoever, foreseen or unforeseen, which in any manner arise out of or in
the course of my participation in [participating sponsoring agencies here] and related activities.
Name (print): ____________________________ Date: _____________________
(print)
Date of Birth:_____________ Signature _______________________________
Street
Address_________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip ____________________________________________________
Attn: Parent or Guardian If student is under 18, please complete this
section to allow volunteer monitoring
I hereby give my permission for my child to participate in the activities of
the [participating sponsoring agencies here] and
endorse the waiver as stated above.
Print parent name______________________________Signature________________________________
DATE: _______________________________ (print)
The following statement of commitment must be read and signed by each
volunteer as a condition of participation:
As a volunteer monitor working with [participating sponsoring agencies here], I commit myself to the collection of accurate,
objective, environmental information. The data that I collect will be
provided to the team representatives as soon as possible after I collect
it. I commit to monitoring my sample sites, using procedures and timing that
has been specified to me. I agree that I will conduct my environmental
monitoring in a safe way that will protect myself and those people working
with or near me from harm. I also agree that I will obey all appropriate
state and federal laws and not trespass on private property in order to
collect my environmental monitoring data. I agree that I will only monitor
at my approved site, on my approved date and time only. I agree I will
always monitor in the company of another person and never alone.
__________________________________ Organization: __________________________
(signed)
__________________________________ DATE: _______________________________
(print)
EQUIPMENT LOAN AGREEMENT
I, for myself, my heir(s), and executors do hereby assume responsibility for
the safety and care of all equipment, materials and supplies loaned or
entrusted to me, and agree to transport, store and use such equipment,
materials and/or supplies in a prudent and reasonable manner; to take such
action as necessary to reduce the possibility of damage to, of, or from such
equipment, materials, and/or supplies. I agree upon verbal or written demand
of the [sponsoring organization here] or their authorized representative,
to return said equipment, materials, and/or supplies within five working
days of such demand, to the [sponsoring organization]. I further grant
full permission to the [sponsoring organization] to the use of my name and any videos,
photographs, or similar records in which I appear or which may reveal my
name or disclose my identity.
NAME: __________________________ Organization: _________________________
(signed) _____________________ DATE: ____________________________ (print)
VOLUNTEER SAFETY STATEMENT
I have read and understood the [sponsoring organiation] Safety
Precautions
_________________________________________Signature __________________Date
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 09:14:39 -0400
From: Angela McCracken <amccracken@pawatersheds.org>
Subject: RE: SPAM-LOW: [volmonitor] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
Hello everyone,
A few years ago, we surveyed watershed groups asking what they needed in terms of business and organizational support. Their response was general liability insurance, so we found an insurance company that allows us to add endorsements to our general liability insurance policy. We have been working with Roy Klauber, formerly of Marsh Advantage, now with Glatfelter to add these endorsements. We have been successful at administering this program at an affordable price to watershed groups.
We, here at PA Watersheds and Rivers, have a general liability insurance program for incorporated watershed groups who are members of PA Watersheds. The policy covers groups against third-party claims such as the classic "slip and fall" injury. It also covers claims of libel and slander with
respect to publications and press interviews. It does NOT cover or replace D&O policies, insure automobiles or watercraft, cover on-the-water events, such as sojourns or canoe trips, or cover workers compensation. With respect to monitoring specifically, it would cover any monitoring occurring
in the stream or on the embankment, but only if it is NOT performed out of a boat. In other words, you can't be in a canoe monitoring and be covered by this policy. This was a real quick and dirty of our policy so I'm sure folks will have questions. If you do, please either respond to me (amccracken@pawatersheds.org), or to John Coutts, who is our Director of Business Systems and insurance guy. His e-mail is jcoutts@pawatersheds.org. His phone number is the same as below. Also, there is more information on our website, www.pawatersheds.org.
The cost of this insurance was kept as low as possible for the sake of the watershed groups. The costs for 2005-06 are:
# of members X $.52 = $_________ (or $104 minimum)
PA Watersheds Administrative Fee = $100
PA Watersheds Membership Fee = $30
Again, please let me know if there are any questions, and I will answer them the best I can.
Regards,
Angie
Angela M. McCracken
Program Coordinator
Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers
610 North Third Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 234-7910 - phone
(717) 234-7929 - fax
amccracken@pawatersheds.org
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 09:34:55 -0400
From: Tony Williams <williams@savebuzzardsbay.org>
Subject: RE: [volmonitor] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
Yes, we have insurance in general for our water quality monitoring
volunteers.
Tony Williams
Water Monitoring Coordinator
The Coalition for Buzzards Bay
Nashawena Mills - 620 Belleville Avenue
New Bedford, Massachusetts 02745
Tel. 508-999-6363 x.203
Fax. 508-984-7913
e-mail: williams@savebuzzardsbay.org
www.savebuzzardsbay.org
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 08:48:36 -0500
From: Michael D Smolen <smolen@okstate.edu>
Subject: Re: [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
I checked with Cheryl Cheadle, the State Blue Thumb Coordinator on this. Cheryl says that all Blue Thumb volunteers are also NRCS Earth Team Volunteers. This allows them to come under workmans comp. It benefits NRCS because they can report the volunteer hours. I believe the volunteer hours may also be reported as part of the match on 319 projects.
Michael D. Smolen
218 Ag Hall
Stillwater, OK 74078-6021
phone: 405-744-8414
Fax: 405-744-6059
http://waterquality.okstate.edu
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 09:10:51 -0800
From: streamkeepers <streamkeepers@co.clallam.wa.us>
Subject: [Az_wqmonitoring] RE: [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for
volunteers?
The County government that we're part of is self-insured, and we insure all our volunteers for both "excess medical" (i.e., beyond their own insurance) and non-negligent liability. Volunteers must go through a one-hour orientation on safety and County policies before they're covered under this insurance. There's a whole packet of information they get and some stuff they have to sign. We also have a "Know Before You Go" section in our volunteer handbook that addresses some safety and liability issues. We haven't had a claim in 8 years; and fortunately, we don't generally have effluent problems in our streams.
Ed Chadd & Hannah Merrill, co-managers
Streamkeepers of Clallam County
Clallam County Department of Community Development
223 E. 4 St., Suite 5
Port Angeles, WA 98362
360-417-2281; FAX 360-417-2443
streamkeepers@co.clallam.wa.us
www.clallam.net/streamkeepers
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 10:22:08 -0700
From: Eleanor Ely <ellieely@earthlink.net>
Subject: [Az_wqmonitoring] RE: [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for
volunteers?
Just curious -- are there any volunteer monitoring programs that have actually needed to use liability insurance for a volunteer monitoring-related lawsuit? It is my impression that volunteer monitors virtually never sue the organizations for which they are volunteering. Is this true?
Medical insurance could be a different matter -- I could imagine it being used if a volunteer who had no other insurance was injured while volunteering. Are there any volunteer monitoring programs that have needed to use medical insurance for a volunteer monitor?
Ellie
Eleanor Ely
Editor, The Volunteer Monitor Newsletter
50 Benton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-334-2284
ellieely@earthlink.net
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 14:05:43 -0400
From: Scott Kishbaugh <sakishba@gw.dec.state.ny.us>
Subject: RE:[volmonitor] [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
All of the volunteers that participate in the NY Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) are required to sign a Release of Claims / Waiver of Liability form that was approved by the state Attorney General's office. While it is not iron-clad (and probably not completely lawyer proof), we have yet to face a liability issue from any of our > 1300 volunteers.
Scott
Scott A. Kishbaugh, P.E.
Environmental Engineer II
Lake Services Section
Bureau of Water Assessment and Management
NYSDEC Division of Water
625 Broadway, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-3502
(phone) 518-402-8282
(fax) 518-402-9029
(email) sakishba@gw.dec.state.ny.us
From: Eleanor Ely <ellieely@earthlink.net>
Subject: [volmonitor] liability insurance
To: Volunteer water monitoring <volmonitor@lists.epa.gov>
Below is a comment on the insurance question that was sent directly to me by
Ken Cooke. He is unable to post directly to the listserv so I am forwarding
his message on his behalf.
-- Ellie Ely
Eleanor Ely
Editor, The Volunteer Monitor Newsletter
50 Benton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-334-2284
ellieely@earthlink.net
The Volunteer Monitor is available online at
www.EPA.gov/OWOW/volunteer/vm_index.html
Hi,
That is a good question, has there been a need for the insurance in our
profession.
More specifically, has any group actually "filed a claim" under their D and
O or general liability insurance.
And, if so, what was the outcome of that filing? (payout, denial etc...)
They may not be able to give you the details of a payout. (such as amount)
due to confidentiality clauses in insurance settlements.
Water Watch has not had a claim against it in its 20 year history.
We have had injuries (particularly during clean ups from broken glass,
stings, lacerations, broken bones from falls etc...) But, no one has
considered coming after us for money. That might change if they knew we had
insurance!
I can't send a question/message directly to the list serv due to our state
government e-mail proxy system, so I have to ask you directly.
Thanks
Ken Cooke
KY Water Watch
Ken.Cooke@ky.gov
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 15:31:56 -0400
From: Danielle Donkersloot <Danielle.Donkersloot@dep.state.nj.us>
Subject: [volmonitor] Fwd: RE: liability
Ellie thought everyone may be interested in this so I'm passing it
along.
In the land of lawsuits, a volunteer in NJ did in fact get
sued.
This volunteer works for the NJ Fish and Wildlife Service's Volunteer
Corp monitoring terrestrial species. He found an endangered species
near a parking lot at a zoo. He filed a "spotting" report with Fish
and
Wildlife. The zoo was expanding the parking lot but because of his
findings, they couldn't get the permission. So the zoo actually sued
the volunteer. There was a huge debate about this going on in the
press, but ultimately, the volunteer was covered by the State's
lawyers
in court. There are many more details to this story, but the bottom
line is that we will never know when we will need the insurance, or
what our volunteers may find in the field.
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 14:04:41 -0600
From: Laurie Fisher <laurie.fisher@state.co.us>
Subject: RE:[volmonitor] [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
(in response to Ellie's question)
The issue may be less on the part of the volunteers themselves than
where the organization gets its funding. In Colorado, if the State
passes through (i.e., contracts) funds to any private organization
(nonprofit or otherwise) we require the organization to carry $1 million
in liability insurance.
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 17:15:50 -0400
From: URI Watershed Watch <uriww@etal.uri.edu>
Subject: RE: [volmonitor] [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
We have a similar waiver form that our volunteers sign (vetted by the university lawyers). Essentially it informs the volunteers that they are NOT considered employees of the university and thus not covered by their insurance and that unless we do something really negligent that they can’t sue the university. We have had only one very minor injury (a minor chemical burn) so have never had anyone even suggest that they intended to make a liability claim. We do have an insurance policy for a small boat that we use to train volunteers and for monitoring by our student staff. This is a recent requirement of the university, which realized that its small boat fleet was not covered under their other policy.
Ellie, like you I have never heard of a volunteer monitor that pursued a legal liability against a program (nor have I heard of any serious associated illnesses or injuries) although it remains a source of concern to boards and agencies alike.
Elizabeth Herron
URI Watershed Watch
Phone: 401-874-4552
Fax: 401-874-4561
Web: http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/
Date: Fri, 20 May 2005 09:04:44 -0400
From: Kimberly Morris-Zarneke <Kimberly_Morris-Zarneke@dnr.state.ga.us>
Subject: Re: [volmonitor] Liability insurance for volunteers?
Kris - Here is Georgia, since the program is a state run volunteer program, all Adopt-A-Stream trainers, advisory board members, and state coordinators are covered by the Georgia Torte Claims Act of 1990. Which means as long as we have a structured program that includes trainer training and trainers submitting workshop participant lists, their liability is covered by the state. This coverage does not extend to volunteers. In our training workshops and manuals we have a whole safety component that tells people to collect sample at a safe, legal site and not to wait in during storm events. From what I have been told if a volunteer goes out and get hurt while voluntarily monitoring they be covered by their own personal insurance.
There is a federal version of the Torte Claims act the covers federal employees too so you may want to check and see as a state program if your state has adopted this act. FYI - Torte Claims Act mean one can not sue a state employee for you are suing the state itself.
Hope this helps. Kim
Kim Morris-Zarneke
Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator
Dept of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354
ph: 404-675-1636
fax: 404-675-6245
email: kimberly_morris-zarneke@dnr.state.ga.us
www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 14:15:55 -0500
From: Tim Rielly <Tim.Rielly@mdc.mo.gov>
Subject: Re: [CSREESVolMon] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers?
Hey Kris,
Since we are a state agency so we are self insured. In the first
workshop (they are in a series) we do have them sign a liability waiver
in case they stub their toe. We have had no liability issues in the 11
years of this program and work hard to keep it that way.
Take care!
Tim Rielly
Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator
Missouri Department of Conservation
573-751-4115 ext. 3166
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 09:53:08 -0400
From: John Murphy <streamwatch@cstone.net>
Subject: [volmonitor] Liabiltiy insurance for volunteers
Colleagues,
We insure our volunteers through NRCS's Earth Team program (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/volunteers/vol/facts.html). Our local
Soil and Water Conservation District is the liason.
I think Earth Team could be an option for other monitoring groups who are
afilliated with SWCDs.
John Murphy, Director
StreamWatch
streamwatch@cstone.net
office: (434) 923-8642
cell: (434) 242-1145
www.streamwatch.org
Date: Mon, 06 Jun 2005 15:25:39 -0700
From: Eleanor Ely <ellieely@earthlink.net>
Subject: RE:[volmonitor] [Partners] Liability Insurance
The Spring 1996 issue of The Volunteer Monitor newsletter has an article on
insurance and waivers. It's probably somewhat out of date but hopefully
still useful. You can find the issue online at
www.epa.gov/owow/volunteer/vm_index.html.
Ellie
Eleanor Ely
Editor, The Volunteer Monitor Newsletter
50 Benton Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94112
415-334-2284
ellieely@earthlink.net
From: Kevin Erb <kevin.erb@ces.uwex.edu>
Subject: FW: do you have volunteer insurance?
To: kris.stepenuck@ces.uwex.edu
Cc: betty.stibbe@wi.usda.gov, kim.cupery@wi.usda.gov
Kris-
Insurance protection is available via USDA NRCS's Earth Team volunteer program, which provides workman's comp/tort liability for volunteers over 14 years old. Contact Kim Cupery or Betty Stibbe at NRCS (see email above) for details
Kevin
Question 2:
I see that this was a topic a while back in the Volunteer Monitoring newsletter but wanted to pose this question again. Do any of the nonprofit organizations out there use volunteers in diving or snorkeling activities? Do you have general liability insurance? I am looking for insurance companies that have dealt specifically with these types of activities with volunteers.
Thanks!
Jill Komoto
Malama Kai Foundation
Responses
Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 17:23:19 -0700
From: Erick Burres <eburres@waterboards.ca.gov>
Subject: Re: [volmonitor] Volunteers and General Liability
Jill,
The California CoastKeepers had/has a Kelp Restoration Program that utilized divers. Tom Ford ran the program for Santa Monica (Baykeepers http://www.smbaykeeper.org/). Martin Carreon with Divers Involved Voluntarilty in Environmental Rehabilitation and Safety (http://www.ecodivers.org/) does several activities such as cleanps with divers and Reef Check Reef Check (http://www.reefcheck.org/default.php) conducts bio-surveys with divers.
Hope this helps,
Erick Burres
Citizen Monitoring Coordinator
SWRCB- Clean Water Team
You can self-subscribe to the Clean Water Team's E-Mailing List. To subscribe visit
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/lyrisforms/swrcb_subscribe.html and check the box marked
Citizen Monitoring Program/Clean Water Team.
Contact me at:
Desk (213) 576-6788
Cell (213) 712-6862
Fax (213) 576-6686
LA-RWQCB
320 West 4th Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Question 3
>>> <Mayio.Alice@epamail.epa.gov> 3/24/2009 12:51 PM >>>
I am interested in finding out if there are any liability insurance
carriers out there that specialize in insuring volunteer watershed
organizations and/or may do so at a reduced rate. Does anyone use
such
a company and, if so, could you send me any info/recommendations? I
know of a fledgling local watershed organization interested in
liability
insurance to cover its members and events, such as cleanups. Since it
is not affiliated with NRCS, I don't believe this group can be covered
under the Earth Team policy. It is also not affiliated with a state
or
county government.
I did look at the thread on this topic in the archived listserve
discussions at
http://www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer/Special/EPAListserv/Liability.htm,
and most of the links no longer work. (Editor's note: All links above checked and updated Fall 2010.)
Any guidance appreciated! Thanks.
Alice Mayio
USEPA Office of Water
Phone: 202-566-1184, Fax: 202-566-1437
Mail: 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW (4503T), Washington, DC 20460
Delivery: 1301 Constitution Ave NW (Rm7330Q), Washington, DC 20460
Responses
From: Russell Schell [mailto:ruskjel@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 4:18 PM
To: Volunteer water monitoring
Subject: Re: [volmonitor] liability insurance for volunteer programs
Check out the CIMA Companies which has a Volunteers Insurance Service Association offering, 1800 No Beauregard St' Suite 100, Alexandria, VA,22311, www.cimaworld.com Russell Schell
From: Lauren Webster [mailto:Lauren@paxriverkeeper.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 5:04 PM
To: Volunteer water monitoring
Subject: RE: [volmonitor] liability insurance for volunteer programs
Check out Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance at https://www.ani-rrg.org/. They focus exclusively on nonprofit groups and have good rates.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lauren Webster
Restoration Coordinator
Patuxent Riverkeeper
(301) 249-8200 ext 6
18600 Queen Anne Road
Upper Marlboro MD 20774
(Fax) 301-249-3613
www.paxriverkeeper.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Erick Burres [mailto:eburres@waterboards.ca.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2009 1:19 AM
To: Volunteer water monitoring
Subject: Re: [volmonitor] liability insurance for volunteer programs
Alice,
Here in California there are many insurance providers that cover the
many diverse non-profit organizations located here. None specialize in
watershed activities, but they can work with a group to ensure proper
coverages.
I cannot and do not endorse any company, products or services. Here is
a small sampling of what anyone can find:
Nonprofits??? Insurance Alliance of California is a provider of
liability insurance for organizations in California. News, coverage and
membership information.
www.niac.org
CAN Insurance Services provides insurance tailored to California
nonprofit organizations, including health, dental, vision, workers'
comp, liability and ...
www.caninsurance.com/
Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance Risk Retention Group
Insurance provider owned and controlled by its member nonprofits,
serving United States nonprofits. Coverage, membership information and
resources.
www.ani-rrg.org/
California Nonprofit Insurance Alliance of California ...
www.aspirationtech.org/blog/nonprofitoperations/insurance1
Sincerely,
Erick Burres
Citizen Monitoring Coordinator
SWRCB- Clean Water Team
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Riggert [mailto:Chris.Riggert@mdc.mo.gov]
Sent: Thursday, March 26, 2009 9:13 AM
To: Volunteer water monitoring
Cc: Paul Calvert; Andrew Branson
Subject: RE: [volmonitor] liability insurance for volunteer programs
Hi all, we did some investigation on this topic in Missouri after one of our
watershed groups asked a similar question. The text below summarizes what
one of my coworkers found (thanks Andrew!):
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
Chris,
Here's a response you may want to add to the discussion.
Hope this helps,
Andrew Branson
The state of Missouri has some state statutes that help protect the members
of non-profits. Something like this may be available in other states as
well.
The first one is:
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5370000117.HTM
Officers or members of governing bodies of certain corporations,
charities, organizations or clubs immune from personal liability for
official acts,
exceptions. They have to be 1) non-compensated; 2) the negligence can't
be gross or willful and 3) what they do has to be covered by the
organization's by-laws.
The second one is:
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5370000118.HTM
Volunteers, limited personal liability, certain organizations and
government entities, exceptions.
The third one is:
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C500-599/5370000327.HTM
Paddlesport activities--definitions--immunity from liability.
If a group is needing insurance coverage for the participants of an activity
that pertains to water, then the American Canoe Association is worth
checking into.
The group organizing the event would have to join the American Canoe
Association (ACA). $225/year for 100+ members. (Less for fewer members.)
You then qualify for their insurance coverage, but in order to extend it to
non-members (i.e., school groups.) you must purchase an "individual event
membership" for the activity. This fee is $5/non-member.
Participants may also join the ACA with a $10 Introductory 6 month
membership, $30 Individual membership, $40 Family membership or a $25
student membership.
You can find out more about the ACA here: http://www.americancanoe.org
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^
I can appreciate that these are Missouri statutes, but depending on the
state in which you live, you may have something similar on the books.
Hope this helps!
Chris
Christopher M. Riggert
Stream Team Program
Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Coordinator
Missouri Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 180
2901 W. Truman Blvd.
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180
Phone: (573) 522-4115 ext. 3167
Fax: (573) 526-0990
Chris.Riggert@mdc.mo.gov
www.mostreamteam.org
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