Volunteering at School? Make Sure You’re Properly Protected
Posted on Aug 16, 2018
Volunteering at your child’s school is a great way to be involved in your child’s education, get to know your child’s friends and classmates, and make an impact on the lives of students. More than anything else, it shows your children that you value their education and want to be involved in their lives. Finally, it allows you to connect and share with other children.
Ways You Can Volunteer at Elementary Schools
Different schools have different needs and requirements when it comes to volunteers. Make sure you check with your school’s office for its requirements. Among the opportunities that may exist for you to volunteer at your child’s school are the following:
- Assist teacher with paper grading responsibilities.
- Work in the library (setting up, returning books, etc.).
- Copying documents.
- Reading stories to children.
- Sort and stock classroom supplies.
- Clean paintbrushes and art materials.
- Set up classroom project stations.
- Sharpen pencils.
- Create a classroom newsletter or maintain a classroom’s website.
- Play learning games with children.
- Listening while children read stories to you.
- Assist in school learning centers.
- Make props, backgrounds, and costumes for school plays.
- Chaperone field trips, dances, field-day events, etc.
- Assist struggling children with their studies.
- Help with arts and crafts.
- Coach youth sports teams.
As you can see, opportunities to volunteer in local schools are abundant. You don’t have to have any special skills to make an impact on the lives of children. You simply need to be willing to listen in many cases.
Why Do Volunteers Need Insurance Protection?
You can’t guess what’s going to happen in a classroom on any given day.
Simply being present in the capacity of a volunteer when certain events take place can put you at an increased risk for liability lawsuits against you and your property.
- Accidents happen.
- Injuries occur.
- Children get sick.
- Things go wrong in an instant.
Things you can’t possibly anticipate or plan for. Many of which you’re not even responsible for.
The problem is, even if you’re ultimately found innocent of the accusations or not responsible for what happens, the expense of a lawsuit or trial can be devastating for the average family.
What you don’t want is for your good deeds to expose your family and your financial security to unnecessary risks. At the same time, you don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to share these special moments with your child or to enrich another child’s life in a positive and meaningful way by missing out on the chance to volunteer.
This is why you need to invest in personal umbrella insurance coverage in addition to standard general liability coverage. It offers broader protection that exceeds the limits of your standard liability insurance policy or when other liability limits are exhausted.
For instance, it covers legal defense costs that go above what your standard policy pays and coverage on claims of slander, libel, and defamation of character.
What Kind of Volunteers Need Insurance?
Anyone who volunteers should consider additional umbrella insurance protection – especially if you work with children. Regardless, most households should consider the broader protection an umbrella policy provides.
People who do the following, especially, should purchase a personal umbrella policy:
- Care for children or host various parties in your home.
- Volunteer with schools or non-profits.
- Serve on school boards (or other boards).
- Entertain friends, family, or children and their classmates in your home.
- Volunteer as a coach for community sports teams.
What Kind of Insurance Protection Do You Need for Volunteering in Schools?
While you may have existing liability policies as part of your home or auto insurance coverage, the purchase of an umbrella policy provides additional protection if the incident in question exceeds the limits of your standard liability policies.
It gives you an extra layer of financial protection before judgments can affect your home, your retirement, and even your child’s college fund savings.
Volunteering at your child’s school is important.
Not only is it a bonding experience for you and your child, but it also allows you to show your child the importance of giving back to others in the community. Don’t let the fear of lawsuits and financial repercussions rob you of that joy. Just make sure you have adequate protection with an umbrella insurance policy.
