2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                             Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

Attachment 2 to insurance – organisations involving volunteers
The following is taken from Volunteering Queensland’s Information Handout on Insurance
for organisations involving volunteers.

It is an organisation’s responsibility to ensure that appropriate insurance cover is provided to
protect volunteer staff and volunteer members of community management committees.
The insurance broker is the agent of the organisation and arranges insurance for individuals
or organisations having negotiated the best possible policy terms and premium from the
insurance market. The insurance broker may renegotiate with different underwriters from
time to time in order to get the best deal.

The Queensland State Government passed a Civil Liability Act 2003 which has a volunteer
protection clause included. Volunteers working in registered nonprofit organisations engaged
in voluntary activities defined by the organisation are protected from legal action provided
they are not acting outside the law.

Volunteering Queensland recommends that organisations involving volunteers seek
professional advice in determining what cover is available and most appropriate for their
needs. The first requirement in considering insurance is to understand the various types of
cover available to protect volunteers. The following is a list of the types of insurance to be
considered.

Volunteer workers personal accident insurance
Personal Accident Cover for volunteers (which is similar to the State Government’s
compulsory work cover for paid employees) covers volunteers for certain out-of-pocket
expenses following accidental injury, disability or death while carrying out their work on
behalf of the organisation.

Depending on the policy, this type of insurance should normally cover loss of income. It is
important to remember that this cover is rarely included in Public Liability Insurance, and
therefore a separate policy needs to be taken out with the insurance broker or underwriter.
Personal Accident Insurance is not excessively expensive and usually not difficult to obtain.
It is important to be aware of any age limit or any activities that might be excluded from this
insurance cover. There is usually a $50-$100 excess for non-Medicare medical expenses.
These details are spelt out in the policy wording. Students or work-placements may not be
included in this insurance policy. It is therefore important to check the policy before engaging
students or work-placements.

Public liability insurance
This insurance covers the organisation’s legal liability to pay damages to a third party (e.g.
member of the public or clients of the organisation) for personal injury or property damage
accidentally caused by a member of the organisation including its volunteers. A separate or
extended cover can be taken out to include legal costs in relation to a claim being made
against the organisation. Some insurance brokers will include Product Liability as an
extension of their Public Liability Policy.

Directors and officers liability insurance
This insurance is specifically designed to indemnify committee members and office bearers
for loss, including legal costs where they have been proven to be negligent in the course of
performing their role in the organisation. It is important to be familiar and understand the
wording of this policy particularly the extent of cover and specific exclusions under the
policy.



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