Understand what insurance your organisation needs if it involves volunteers
Organisations need insurance to protect themselves and their volunteers from risk.
The type of insurance you need depends on:
Here are some types of insurance that can cover volunteers.
If your organisation has paid employees, it’s required by law to have this insurance. Some insurers will cover volunteers too.
It protects your organisation if:
This covers your organisation’s interactions with other organisations or people (‘third parties’). Some insurers will cover volunteers too.
This insurance protects your organisation if it needs to pay compensation to a third party following a claim for:
Check with your insurer to make sure your insurance covers your volunteers and what they do. You may need employers' liability insurance, public liability insurance or both.
You may need this type of insurance if your organisation has volunteer drivers.
Some insurers charge extra for volunteer driving. Check with the insurer to see if they do this or not.
Other types of insurance
Your organisation is likely to need other insurance depending on what it does and who it works with.
See our guidance on insurance for voluntary sector organisations.
Your organisation is likely to need other insurance depending on what it does and who it works with.
See our guidance on insurance for voluntary sector organisations.
When buying insurance, you should:
It’s a good idea to speak to an insurance provider about your organisation’s specific needs. Zurich Insurance is our trusted supplier for insurance.
Last reviewed: 12 April 2021
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