Insurance Coverage for Non-Profits

Like a business or a homeowner, a nonprofit organization needs to protect its property from loss in a fire, by theft, or from many other hazards. Nonprofits can be lawsuit targets as well. Without insurance, a lawsuit could prove financially devastating. Whether a human services, arts, educational, civic, or other type of nonprofit, your organization should be protected by liability insurance to cover defense costs and damages.

Some insurers specialize in coverage for nonprofits and may be able to best meet the insurance needs of your organization. An Internet search will guide you to several national nonprofit insurance groups.

There are many aspects to property insurance. If your organization owns real estate, you will want to insure the property. If it rents or leases its premises, you may want coverage for tenant’s improvements and betterments. These are fixtures, alterations, installations, or additions that you have put into the space that cannot legally be removed from the landlord’s premises.

Depending on the particulars of your activity, you may want to add other coverages, such as theft and burglary, employee dishonesty, or electronic data loss.

Nonprofits have no immunity from lawsuits. Clients, volunteers, vendors, donors, or visitors may sue if they are accidentally injured on your premises or while on business for the organization. Someone may sue claiming libel or slander. Employees may sue claiming discrimination or sexual harassment. Liability insurance covers these risks.

Before buying insurance, it’s a good idea to consider the particular loss exposures you have and buy a policy that addresses them. If, for example, your organization is made up mostly of volunteers and has no paid staff, your best choice could be a policy that covers only volunteers.