The Volunteer Risk: Protecting Your Business During National Rebuilding Day Events

If your company is participating in National Rebuilding Day (Saturday, April 25), you are doing a great thing for your community and your team’s morale. However, “corporate social responsibility” comes with its own set of Business Insurance questions, specifically regarding employee injuries.

1. Is it Workers’ Comp?

The “Golden Rule” of insurance is that Workers’ Comp applies to injuries that happen “in the course and scope of employment.”

• The Grey Area: If you require your employees to volunteer on Saturday, it is likely a Workers’ Comp event.
• The Safe Path: If the event is strictly optional, it generally falls outside of Workers’ Comp. However, your General Liability policy would still need to cover any damage your employees might accidentally cause to the property they are “rebuilding.”

2. The “Non-Owned Auto” Risk

If your employees are carpooling to the job site in their personal vehicles but on “company business,” your business could be liable for any accidents they cause. Ensure your policy includes Hired and Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) coverage. It is an affordable way to protect your business when your team is “on the move” for a good cause.

By clarifying these coverages this week, you can lead your team into a day of service with total confidence.