Nonprofits: There is Liability for the Acts of your Volunteers

A parent looks away from a crowded swimming pool to answer a phone call; a driver makes a split-second decision to try to make it through a yellow light with a sudden burst of speed. We recoil when we read these scenarios because we know only too well that tragedy can result.

What happens when these incidents involve volunteers for your nonprofit? Your organization might be liable for the resulting injury.

 

Volunteers are the lifeblood of many nonprofits. But the actions of a volunteer can also create devastating liability for the organizations in a personal injury claim. While the law provides some relief for the negligent acts of volunteers, these laws vary widely from state to state and are often misunderstood. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your nonprofit will be exempt from liability because its purposes are charitable, or because the person responsible for the harm is a volunteer. Continue reading “Nonprofits: There is Liability for the Acts of your Volunteers”

How to Control Employee Dishonesty

One in every 27 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer in 2016, according to the 29th Annual Retail Theft Survey. 53,786 dishonest employees were apprehended in 2016, up 9.3% from 2015.

Employee dishonesty is the most important crime coverage for most businesses. Most basic business package policies do not include crime coverage beyond a baseline amount, so unless you already have employee dishonesty coverage, you will need to add it to your basic policy. Continue reading “How to Control Employee Dishonesty”

What Republican Changes to the ACA Mean to YOU

Many Republicans believe that, even though the new plan is more oriented to the free market, it doesn’t go far enough to fix the ACA’s problems. While Democrats are concerned that millions of Americans will lose access to healthcare coverage.

The ACA was implemented in 2010 to increase access to healthcare coverage for all Americans. Key provisions included:

  • Implementing market reforms
  • Establishing health insurance marketplaces
  • Expanding Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults

To meet those goals, the federal government mandated that:

  • All individuals must purchase insurance or pay a fine
  • Insurers offering health coverage must include 10 essential benefits
  • Large employers must provide health insurance to full-time workers

Continue reading “What Republican Changes to the ACA Mean to YOU”

Who Needs Life Insurance?

You might wonder whether to buy life insurance or not. Do you need death coverage, or is it just an additional expense?

You might think you don’t need life insurance if you do not have children. But that is not always the case. If someone depends on you financially, then you definitely need life insurance. Continue reading “Who Needs Life Insurance?”

Risk Management for Small Business

Every organization’s business plan should include a section on risk management. If your business plan doesn’t address your risks, take a look at the following areas to start. Continue reading “Risk Management for Small Business”

7.5 Million Americans Paid a Penalty for Lacking Health Coverage

According to the Internal Revenue Service, almost 7.5 million Americans have had to pay a penalty for lacking health insurance in 2014 – and the tax season isn’t over.

As of mid-July, the IRS had processed approximately 135 million of the approximately 150 million individual tax returns it expects for tax year 2014. In 2014, the Affordable Care Act’s “individual responsibility” provisions went into effect, requiring most Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Continue reading “7.5 Million Americans Paid a Penalty for Lacking Health Coverage”

Insuring Your Boat

A survey by one insurer found that 29 percent of all boat owners did not have a separate watercraft insurance policy. This could be a mistake.

 

 

Many boat owners mistakenly think their homeowners or personal auto policy will provide coverage; however, the standard homeowners policy limits property damage coverage for boats to $1,500—far less than the value of most recreational boats. Continue reading “Insuring Your Boat”

Will Medical Marijuana Send Your Employment Policies up in Smoke?

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia now allow the medical use of marijuana. Colorado, Oregon and Washington have also legalized its recreational use and possession. How will this affect your employment policies?

Continue reading “Will Medical Marijuana Send Your Employment Policies up in Smoke?”