Insuring your Abide in Love Affiliate

To protect volunteers, board members, and the people you serve, Abide in Love requires all affiliates to secure their own liability insurance once they begin operating formally or engaging in activities that carry organizational risk.

Disclaimer (please read): Abide in Love does not provide insurance coverage for affiliates, and affiliates are not covered under Abide in Love’s insurance policies.

Minimum requirement: General Liability Insurance

All affiliates must carry General Liability Insurance in their own name. This coverage typically protects the organization if someone claims:

  • bodily injury,

  • property damage,

  • or personal injury (e.g., defamation)
    arising from affiliate activities, meetings, events, or communications.

Even small, volunteer-led organizations are exposed to these risks, especially when working with:

  • vulnerable populations,

  • written correspondence,

  • public events,

  • or multiple volunteers.

Strongly recommended: Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance

We strongly encourage affiliates to speak with a professional about Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance, sometimes called management liability insurance.

D&O insurance helps protect:

  • board members,

  • officers,

  • and sometimes key volunteers

from personal liability related to decisions made on behalf of the organization.

Examples of situations D&O insurance may cover:

  • claims of mismanagement or misuse of funds,

  • disputes about governance or decision-making,

  • employment-related claims (if applicable),

  • regulatory or compliance-related complaints.

Without D&O insurance, board members’ personal assets may be at risk, even in volunteer-run organizations.

Other types of insurance to discuss with a professional

Depending on your activities, location, and structure, a broker or attorney may recommend additional coverage, such as:

  • Employment Practices Liability (EPL)
    If you have employees or regularly manage volunteers.

  • Crime / Fidelity Insurance
    Covers theft or misuse of organizational funds.

  • Cyber Liability Insurance
    If you store personal information, donor data, or sensitive correspondence digitally.

  • Umbrella / Excess Liability
    Provides additional coverage beyond standard policy limits.

Not every affiliate will need all of these—but you should ask the question, rather than assume.

How to secure insurance:
step by step

1. Find an insurance broker or agent experienced with nonprofits

Look for someone who:

  • regularly works with nonprofit organizations,

  • understands volunteer-based operations,

  • and can explain coverage in plain language.

Local community foundations, nonprofit associations, or attorneys often have referrals.

2. Be prepared to describe your affiliate clearly

You’ll likely be asked about:

  • your legal status (incorporated or in process),

  • whether you are volunteer-run,

  • the activities you plan to do (e.g., pen pals, care packages, events),

  • whether you handle money or donations,

  • and whether you have a board.

Being clear and honest helps ensure you get appropriate—not excessive—coverage.

3. Ask these specific questions

You may want to bring this list to your broker or advisor:

  • What general liability coverage do you recommend for a small nonprofit like ours?

  • Should our board carry Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance?

  • Are volunteers covered under these policies?

  • Are there exclusions we should understand, given our work?

  • What coverage limits are typical for organizations our size?

  • How do premiums change as we grow?

  • Are there bundled nonprofit policies that would make sense for us?

Example insurer (for reference only)

Abide in Love’s central organization currently carries a nonprofit insurance portfolio through Chubb, issued by Federal Insurance Company, including Directors & Officers and related liability coverages. D&O Insurance

We share this solely as an example, not as a recommendation or endorsement.

  • We do not receive any advertising, referral, or financial benefit from this mention.

  • Affiliates are free—and encouraged—to choose the insurer and broker that best fit their needs, size, and budget.

Many insurers offer nonprofit-specific packages, and pricing and coverage can vary widely by state and activity.

A final word of caution (and encouragement)

Insurance requirements and best practices vary significantly by state and by organizational structure. We are not lawyers or insurance professionals, and this guidance is informational only.

Before finalizing coverage, we strongly encourage affiliates to:

  • consult a nonprofit attorney,

  • speak with a qualified insurance broker,

  • and ask questions until you are confident you understand what is (and is not) covered.

Taking the time to do this early protects you, your volunteers, and the long-term integrity of the work you are building.