Insurance

Acquiring Insurance is not a fun thing, especially if you start looking in the wrong places.

Why get it in the first place?

When someone is going to sue, they will do it regardless if there is a million dollars of liability to go after, or if it is just the personal assets of those involved in the organization. In a world where people can get million dollar settlments over getting burned by a hot cup of coffee, everyone in your organization with any assets or even loved ones with assets can become a target. This is what insurance is for and why it is good to have it.

Most of the time things get settled outside of court to, among other reasons, avoid hitting the news. Local bike shops get sued all the time you just don't hear about it, and it isn't good idea for local bike shops to talk about settlement payouts. It either makes them or their products look unsafe, or gets people thinking they can make a quick buck by doing the same. If someone claims they have never heard of a shop getting sued, these are the reasons why it is kept quiet.

Places to start looking

The chances of finding an insurance company that is familiar with community bicycle organizations are slim, so finding one that is familiar with nonprofits in general is the better approach. Ask other local nonprofits who they use too.

Nonprofit Associations

Assuming your organization is a non-profit, you have certain resources at your disposal. One such resource is the National Council of Nonprofit Associations which different state-level Nonprofit Associations belong too. Ask them who they would recommend.

League of American Bicyclists

The LAB offers a discounted insurance program through American Specialty. A group must be an LAB member to get the discounted rate. Rates are based on your number of "members" (students and shop users, in our case) and cover regular activities only; extra coverage may be obtained for special outside-the-shop events and races on a fee-for-event basis.

• General Liability
• Member Accident

Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance

The Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group (ANI-RRG) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit insurance company whose mission is to be a stable source of reasonably priced liability insurance for 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

McKay Insurance

In 1991, McKay Insurance Agency, Inc. was asked to design an insurance program for a large bicycle event. Since then our agency has established many successful programs for bicycle clubs, bicycle events and races throughout the United States and around the World.

Stanton and Associates

Stanton and Associates works insures non profits as well as Bicycle Manufacturers and Retailers.

What to Cover

Liability

At least a million dollars in coverage. You should also consider using Release of Liability Forms.

Child Molestation Coverage

Does your organization work with kids? If so you need child molestation coverage. Sounds horrible, but the act of one rogue volunteer can sink your organization. This coverage also mandates that you do background checks on anyone that comes in contact with children in your organization.

Board of Directors Insurance

If members of your board own things like trust funds, houses, or are married to people with those things they need to be protected by board insurance. Without it, make sure your board of directors doesn't own anything of value. However if you decide to get this type of insurance CPAs, Lawyers, and other useful professionals feel safer being involved.

References

• National Council of Nonprofit Associations
• Alliance of Nonprofits for Insurance, Risk Retention Group
• League of American Bicyclists' (LAB) Club Insurance
• American Specialty Insurance Program for the LAB