NIF Group Provides Security in the Social Service Space

PRODUCT: Liability program for nonprofits and social service agencies

COMPANY: Liberty Mutual

BEST RATING: A (Excellent), size XV

AVAILABILITY: Coverage is open to any licensed agent who writes business in this class.

FOCUS: The National Center for Charitable Statistics estimates that the U.S. is home to more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations. This number includes public charities, private foundations and other types of nonprofit organizations, including chambers of commerce, fraternal organizations and civic leagues.

Within these nonprofit organizations, volunteers are vital. In fact, most nonprofits rely heavily on the numerous contributions of their volunteers. As a result, organizations must be certain that the nonprofit itself—as well as their individual volunteers—have adequate protection from the possibility of lawsuits. While the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides some immunity to volunteers acting on behalf of an agency, it does not provide immunity to the organization itself.

That’s where the NIF Group wants to help.

“NIF has a 40-year history of underwriting this particular class of business,” says Nancy Williams, vice president, marketing and sales. “And we offer an alternative in the nonprofit and social service space.”

According to Williams, in a class where consistency has not always been the norm, agencies receive peace of mind and security that they are placing their client in a stable market. “Nonprofits do not live in a vacuum,” she explains. “When the proper structures are in place to mitigate risk, nonprofits can focus completely on their mission. And that’s a win-win.”

UNDERWRITING: Within the program, NIF insures general and professional liability, as well as property, inland marine and crime, physical and sexual molestation, automobile and umbrella or excess. Vicarious liability is also available to protect the nonprofit against the acts of doctors. NIF offers numerous markets for management liability and volunteer participant accidental and medical expense coverages.

Professional coverage can be on occurrence or claims made, depending on prior coverage. Sex abuse and physical misconduct coverage is endorsed on the GL to offer its own separate policy limits. NIF offers umbrella limits up to $10 million and can facilitate any excess coverage over that if necessary.

MINIMUM PREMIUM: None. NIF insures a $750 business owner policy up to a complex seven-figure account.

TARGET: Any nonprofit or social service agency. NIF insures all classes of business with successes in shelters, food banks and more. The company’s sweet spot is accounts between $10,000 and $150,000, but NIF also insures seven-figure accounts.

COVERAGE TERRITORY: All U.S. states except Hawaii. Coverage is limited in Louisiana.

CONTACT: Nancy Williams, vice president, marketing and sales; NIF Group, Eastern USA, 30 Park Avenue, Manhasset, NY 11030; 516-365-7440; NIF Pacific, 19119 North Creek Parkway, Suite 109, Bothell, WA 98011; 425-486-1011.

Ronimarie Acord is an IA contributor.