General Liability premium generally starts from ~$350 per bed per year when no detox services are provided and ~$700 per year with detox services provided. Applicable tax and fees extra. To get started send the completed Application (PDF 0.8MB) to the email indicated on the first page of the application and include:
• Copy of current General Liability and Professional Liability insurance Declarations Page
• 5-year previous carrier loss runs, valued within the last 45 days
• Copies of State Inspections, Complaint Investigations, and Facility License
Paperless Health & Human Services Program includes insurance designed for homeless shelters – those hard-to-place risks that serve the immediate needs of others by providing food, shelter, clothing, and safety. As the cold air encroaches and the icy season is in full swing, it is a good time to reflect on our own blessings and how we can help others in our communities.
1 in every 5 children
are living in poverty.
— The Children’s Defense Fund
Homelessness is a worldwide epidemic. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the nation’s homeless population increased by approximately 20,000 people from 2005 to 2009. The Children’s Defense Fund reported that 15.5 million children are living in poverty. There is an obvious need for homeless shelters to continue providing for the community, and there are steps organizations can take to ensure safety for their occupants.
A homeless shelter typically has a supply of donated canned goods and food provided by the community. In the event of a power outage or on-premises breakdown, the goods may become contaminated due to the shelter’s refrigerating, cooling, or humidity control equipment. By adding the Food Spoilage/Contamination Endorsement to their insurance policy, they can ensure coverage.
Homeless shelters also have the potential to experience bed bug infestations. Bed bugs are often found in areas where people sleep, generally in the creases of mattresses, box springs, and bed frames. They can easily spread on suitcases, boxes, or items moved from residence to residence. Homeless shelters can reduce their chances of infestation by managing what people bring into the shelter, such as book bags, carts, pillows, and blankets. It has also been proven that sleeping with the lights on can be an effective deterrent.
When it comes to insuring homeless shelters, there is much more to consider than the physical building and the obvious slip-and-fall exposure. To find out more about our program, contact us for more information.
Limits of Insurance & Coverage Options:
- General Liability: $1,000,000/$3,000,000
- Professional Liability: $1,000,000/$3,000,000
- Abuse & Molestation: $1,000,000/$1,000,000 or $500,000/$1,200,000
Coverage options include: package, general and professional liability (Claims Made or Occurrence Form, Sexual Abuse & Molestation), Endorsements and Enhancements (including Volunteers & Independent Contractors as insureds, Optional Key Employee Endorsement, Optional Extended Coverage Endorsement with Blanket Additional Insured), Umbrella, Property (high limits), and Auto (some restrictions apply, Hired & Non-Owned, 15 Passenger Vans).
So if you are managing a 10-bed shelter with no detox services, you are looking at around $3,500/yr + applicable tax/fees.
References:
Children's Defense Fund. "The State of America's Children." www.childrensdefense.org, 2011.
National Alliance to End Homelessness. "The State of Homelessness in America." www.endhomelessness.org, 2011.
AFC Newsletter, 2011.