We’re a community FRC non-profit unaffiliated with schools, but getting insurance is tough. Our broker said insurance companies shy away when they hear kids are using tools. Any advice from teams in similar situations, especially those not tied to schools or 4H? Know of any insurance providers in the FIRST community that get our unique needs? Thanks for any help!
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We were looking into this as we started 2718 two years ago. We were able to approach 4-H about joining them and they were more than excited about it. It has worked out really well (they can handle donations as well, and it has saved us a ton of effort with making up rules and things like that). 4-H actually has more scholarship money that is realistically available that FIRST does, at least in our state, and our kids are strong contenders for that.
The other ones we looked at were Boys and Girls Clubs and the various scouting organizations, and I know there are teams that represent those organizations floating around. You might google “after school youth organizations” in your area and see what pops up.
Was hoping to be independent from another org. Is joining a 4-H really the only way to get insurance?
We also looked at something like this:
Great American Insurance Group
Here is an old thread that addresses this topic.
I invite you to examine your motivation for this hope, and consider your logic
6328 is a community team as well. Our independent 501(c)3 was founded in 2016 and 6328’s first competition season was 2017. We are not associated with any other organization (schools, 4-H, Boys and Girls Club, etc.).
We carry a variety of insurance policies for our organization to protect our students, volunteers, and (volunteer) board of directors. Those policies are written by a local insurance agent and the cost is built into our annual budget. We have had no issues getting insurance.
Insurance agents are generally licensed by state, so you’ll need to find one for your state who knows your state insurance regulations. Ours came recommended by another long-time FIRST mentor in Massachusetts because we were not the first FIRST (ha!) team she had worked with. You can ask around in your local networks for an agent that has experience writing policies for small businesses and nonprofits. And you don’t have to stick to just your FIRST networks - is there a local nonprofit (food bank, domestic violence shelter, booster club, or other community support group) you can reach out to and ask who provides their insurance policy? You could also try a Chamber of Commerce/business association, Small Business Administration office, or even a local attorney experienced with small businesses to see if they know someone to recommend.
As always, happy to answer any questions!
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78 also operates under a 501(c)3. I recommend finding a local attorney that has non-profit experience to help you get setup properly, file yearly paperwork with the state and answer any legal questions the org may have.
In addition to liability and D&O insurance, we have membership policies that were carefully worded and reviewed by our attorney. We want to make sure families understand that you can get hurt on a robotics team, we are going to take/share pictures, we aren’t going to release your personal info, etc.
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We, too, are a community team with no connection with any school board or other Not For Profit. We’re incorporated as Not For Profit in Ontario and are registered as a charity with CRA. We carry $5 million liability insurance plus insurance on all our assets. We also have our own fairly well equipped shop with CNC router, CNC mill, conventional mill and lathe, band saw, drill press, grinder etc. All of our tools are inspected regularly by mentors to make sure they’re safe. Insurance costs us about $2500 per year.
We’ve had no issues getting insurance thanks to a broker who is passionate about insurance. She knew nothing about FIRST when we started with her but her son had been involved with the short-lived Canada First robotics program. It wasn’t related to FIRST and died I think about 2005.
It helped our case to have several policies and procedures in place. When we started our team, we worked in the skills training centre at a local community college where they train tool and die makers and millwrights. They gave us full run of their shop but insisted that all users were green shield, CSA approved footwear. We’re no longer at Sheridan but we’ve kept the footwear policy in place and make sure that our insurer knows it. We insist on safety glasses. We have a robust shop training program and use a Tech Proficiency Passport which functions as a licence for students to use the machines. We redo the Proficiency Passport every year. Supervision is key as well. We also have a detailed accident/incident reporting form and process so that we can show how any incident was dealt with. I think we’ve done 2 in 8 years and they were minor. First Aid kits, fire extinguishers and an eyewash station are prominent and well marked.
All mentors go through Criminal Background Checks with additional Vulnerable Sector Screening. This can require fingerprinting. The VSS can’t be done through YPP. Being a registered charity requires that we submit yearly tax returns. Team members don’t meet on-on-one with a mentor. Team members are not left on their own to wait for a parent to pick them up. We also have policies and guidelines in place for young/alumnus mentors that deal with social interaction and boundaries etc. We have a separate Mentor Code of Conduct.
We also have parents sign a waiver.
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It probably isn’t the only way, but we have found our partnership with 4H to be a very positive experience (and insurance is just one of the ways). Really suggest you consider it.
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