Your business likely already invests in several types of key insurance, including workers’ compensation, which is essential in case a worker gets hurt on the job. However, you might not have considered the nuances of what might happen if a volunteer gets hurt. Here’s what you need to know about volunteers covered under workers compensation.
Your Workers’ Comp Coverage May Depend on Your State
Part of the reason workers’ comp policies have a complex relationship with volunteer coverage is because these policies can vary widely from state to state. While as a general rule, most workers’ comp policies do not cover volunteers because they are not technically employees, you may want to check with your state’s current guidelines and regulations.
Start Taking Steps To Add Coverage If You Regularly Work With Volunteers
One situation where you may want to purchase additional coverage is if your company regularly works with volunteers. In this case, be sure you understand the limitations of options like voluntary compensation endorsement, which may or may not provide the protections you want. Check whether the following options could cover volunteers:
- General liability coverage
- Workers’ comp add-on options
Volunteers bring a lot of value to your company’s goals and mission, but if they happen to get injured while performing different activities for your company, it may not be clear whether your current policy includes volunteers covered under workers compensation. Read up on your state’s regulations and consider adding other liability coverage as you need it.