Volunteers and Insurance - Information for the Boards of Foundations and Associations
Organizations that work with volunteers are very important to our municipality. That is why the municipality believes it is important for the boards of these organizations to understand the insurance requirements for volunteers. We understand that boards may be concerned about liability and damages. That makes sense: boards want to do their jobs well and avoid taking on unnecessary risks.
What responsibilities do you have as (the board of) a foundation or association?
Foundations and associations are expected to manage their affairs properly. This means they must have appropriate insurance coverage for their activities. Boards must carefully consider which types of insurance are necessary for their operations.
What does choosing the right insurance actually mean in practice?
For example, as a board member of a foundation or association:
- insures volunteers against damage they cause while volunteering;
- activities and equipment (such as machinery, vehicles, or tandem bicycles) are properly insured;
- ensures that board members are adequately protected against liability.
When are you not at increased risk?
If, as a board:
- acts honestly and diligently;
- manages and keeps track of your insurance policies;
- If in doubt, consult an expert.
When are you at increased risk?
Without adequate insurance, your organization may sometimes have to cover the costs of damages itself.
The role of municipal volunteer insurance
The municipal volunteer insurance serves as a safety net. The municipal volunteer insurance applies only if:
- the organization’s own insurance provides no coverage or insufficient coverage, and
- the damage falls within the Requirements the municipal insurance policy.
What does this mean in practice?
The municipal volunteer insurance does not replace your organization’s own insurance. However, this insurance can provide additional assistance in unexpected situations. This applies only if your organization’s own insurance offers no coverage or insufficient coverage and the situation falls within the scope of the municipal insurance policy.
Examples include:
- Damage that occurs unexpectedly while volunteering and is not fully covered by insurance.
- Damage resulting from a one-time activity for which no separate insurance has been arranged.
- Injury to a volunteer who is not covered by any other insurance.
- Damages resulting from an error made by a volunteer or board member, even though they acted with due care.
- Traffic accidents that occur while volunteering and are not covered by another insurance policy.
You don't have to do it alone
Are you unsure whether your insurance policies are a good fit for your organization? If so, please discuss this with your insurer. Do you have questions about volunteer insurance or liability? Feel free to contact the municipality. We’re happy to help you figure things out so you can focus on what really matters: making volunteer work possible.