Insurance is not a substitute for safety. However, liability and accident insurance are important parts of a risk management plan. The following link provides important information and guidelines. http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/resources/mgt/risk.cfm.
Accident Insurance
County 4-H organizations should purchase accident insurance for volunteer leaders and members. Purchasing the $1.00 a year plan from American Income Life is recommended. Contact American Income Life at www.americanincomelife.com. Those participating in high risk activities including horse project, athletic league sports, ATV, and motorcycle participants have a $2.00 annual fee.
Liability Coverage
Liability coverage for volunteers is covered through the county. Most counties have coverage through the Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corporation or Wisconsin Municipal Mutual Insurance Company. Both companies extend coverage to 4-H volunteers through the county policy at no cost to the volunteers. Staff members need to complete the necessary steps annually to make sure the coverage is in place. In counties that are self-insured, the county 4-H program must purchase liability coverage for 4-H volunteers or have other options for liability coverage.
FAQ #29 Volunteers that knowingly violate Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development policies or do something outside the scope of their volunteer role will likely not be covered by liability insurance if something goes wrong.
FAQ #30 Volunteers using their professional credentials (i.e. a registered nurse serving as camp health coordinator), might be held to a higher degree of accountability when treating someone’s injuries but otherwise, they would be looked at like any other volunteer for liability purposes. They may want to consult with their insurance agent to ensure they have proper coverage under their personal insurances.
FAQ #31 Volunteers are not immune from lawsuits. A volunteer’s homeowner/automobile coverage will always be primary when they have an activity in their home, or are driving their personal vehicle while volunteering. The county’s program would be secondary, meaning once the limits of the volunteer’s personal liability coverage were used up, the county’s program may come into play if the volunteer was acting within the scope of the mission the county wanted performed.
FAQ #16Parents/guardians who are not 4-H leaders rely on their own homeowner or auto coverage for liability coverage. Parents/guardians who volunteer on a regular basis are strongly encouraged to become a 4-H leader.
Bonding Insurance FAQ #11
4-H Leader’s Organization should not have to take out board insurance or bond the treasurer given the size of financial holdings for most of the 4-H organizations.
FAQ #15
In addition, there are state statutes that provide liability protection for the counties, the UW System, and the State of Wisconsin. Specifically Wis. Stats. s. 893.80 affords protection for claims against governmental bodies or officers, agents or employees; notice of injury; limitation of damages and suits. Wis. Stats. s. 893.82 – Claims against state employees; notice of claim; limitation of damages and 895.46 – State and political subdivision thereof to pay judgments taken against officers.
The above statutes assist in protecting volunteers as agents of the county, or university when acting within the scope of their agency. Following national and state 4-H requirements and having a signed letter of agreement with the county, as well as presenting a list of 4-H activities and volunteers to the county should assure one of protection under the statute.
