Baker, Romero & Associates

Volunteers can covered in several areas of insurance. Under the General Liability policy, they can be added as additional insured. In California, volunteers –non compensated interns- can be added to the workers’ compensation policy as an endorsement. Every worker’s compensation carrier will charge a premium based on their underwriting guidelines. A Volunteer Accident policy can be purchased to protect volunteers and non-compensated interns if they are injured “on the job.”

Most standard insurance policies exclude independent contractors. As a general rule, the insured should have the independent contractor provide them with a certificate of insurance verifying the coverages that are required in the contact or MOU. There are circumstances in which independent contractors can be insured under your policy. Check with your attorney before you consider insuring an independent contractor.

Employers can be held liable if their employees (or volunteers) are involved in an automobile accident on company time. Employers should carry a Non Owned Automobile policy to protect their business or organization in the event of an automobile accident. Non Owned Auto Liability can also be added to the business package policy as an endorsement.

While there is no standard insurance policy that can insure all exposures, the following is a general summary of the basic insurance coverage most businesses and nonprofits should carry:

• General Liability

• Umbrella

• Property

• Professional Liability

• Abuse & Molestation Liability

• Directors & Officers Liability / Employment Practice Liability

• Crime (fidelity bond) 

• Cyber Liability

• Workers Compensation

In order to make sure that your special events are covered under your General Liability policy, always notify your insurance carrier. There is no “standard” insurance form that will cover all exposures that can arise from a special event. You may be required to purchase a separate Special Event Liability policy instead of adding to your General Liability policy because the insurance carrier may not cover the event.