Three kinds of insurance for homeschool groups

Carol,

We were told by our host church that we’ll need our own insurance policy.  Can you look into that for us?

Beth S, Ohio

(I am a volunteer parent in this homeschool organization)

This homeschool group had been told by the pastor of the church where they would start some homeschool classes twice a week that they their own insurance policy.

So they need their own insurance.  But what kind? In talking to a helpful insurance agent, I learned there are at least three types of insurance a homeschool group could possibly need:

General Liability (sometimes called fire insurance).  It covers the property an organization owns or rents.  This is what the church is wanting from our group in question.  They want an insurance policy if our group damages their property.  Someone suggested that we ask the church to add our group as a rider.  It might be cheaper.  Or, it was suggested, we should get “event” coverage. It might be cheaper since we don’t meet every day in the church.

Accidental Medical coverage.  This is for coverage if a child hurts him or herself while at our homeschool function.  Since we don’t have gym classes or physical activities I think my group will skip this type of insurance.  We’ll probably get the parents to acknowledge that they will cover their children’s medical expenses.

Director and Officer insurance: This is to protect the leaders from being personally sued for liability.  The agent said these policies start at $1,000/year.  Yikes!  He said it is because it includes provisions for employee s*xual harassment, etc.. Because of the expense to the organization, some non-profits board members carry their own liability insurance.  Personal liability insurance, sometimes called an umbrella policy, can be purchased separately.  Our group doesn’t have employees (or a very large budget) and so I think that we’ll forgo the D&O insurance, also.

Carol Topp, CPA