Despite a growth in specialist sector services in insurance, it must be said that the voluntary sector is wide with very diverse needs. An insurance broker who knows a lot about one aspect, for example large scale residential care, won't necessarily understand the requirements of a small advice agency. So ask to see their client list, and check out what similar organisations have insurance for, as well as recommended brokers or insurance companies. It is worth checking out whether an appropriate umbrella or support body has arranged specialist insurance cover for an activity area - only a few are noted below.

Specialist Brokers

In theory brokers can access the whole insurance market to find the best cover (which may be from combining a number of separate policies). In practice the special deals for non-profits are more likely to come from one particular insurer - check!

• Access Insurance A professional broking service working solely for the non profit sector. Quotations can be obtained online for small and medium-size charities. Selsdon House, 212-220 Addington Road, South Croydon, Surrey, CR2 8LD, phone 020 8651 7420.

• Aon has developed specifc charity insurances. Capital House, 1 Houndwell Place, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 1HU, phone 0845 070 8983.

• Bluefin (taken over from Stuart Alexander), see their Charities page.

• CaSE Insurance (Charity and Social Enterprise Insurance Management LLP) is a partnership between Charities Aid Foundation, the partners of Bates Wells and Braithwaite, ABG Insurance Services Limited and aQmen Ltd. Launched March 07.

• Charity BackRoom provides sector-specific insurance cover through a leading independent insurance broker operating in partnership with Voluntary Norfolk. Phone 01603 756726, email: enquiries@charitybackroom.org.uk

• Congregational and General Insurance. Charity Buildings speciality. Currer House, Curret Street, Bradford, BD1 5BA, phone 01274 700700.

• Ecclesiastical Insurance Group As the name implies, closely connected with the church, and is indeed owned by a charitable trust, Allchurches Trust. Also deals with schools, care homes and other charities. 'The Beaufort Plan is a comprehensive policy for all charities and voluntary organisations.' Beaufort House, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, Glos, GL1 1JZ, phone 01452 528533, email: charities@eigmail.com

• Encompass Insurance Policy. Designed by LVSC (London Voluntary Service Council) in partnership with Keegan and Pennykid (Insurance Brokers), this is a Royal & SunAlliance scheme, but with plenty of scope. Available to all voluntary organisations, small or large, premiums starting from £50. Contact Keegan and Pennykid, 50 Queen St, Edinburgh, EH2 3NS, phone 0800 731 8030.

• Endsleigh Insurance Brokers, connected with the students insurer, has Charities as a specialist area and do competitive quotes in this sector, having all sizes from large national charities to home-based organisations as customers all over the UK. Phone 01242 866800, email: bev.wingate@endsleigh.co.uk

• Finance ReDirect Limited, the not for profit trading subsidiary of registered charity Create, provides insurance services for charities, churches, community groups, social enterprises and other not for profit organisations

• D E Ford Insurance Brokers Ltd, a York based insurance brokerage that has specialised in cover for charities and non profit organisations for over 30 years.

• Giles Insurance took over from MCIS, a Mencap spin-off. Probably still particularly good for disability/care organisations. Phone 0121 200 4920.

• Insurex Exposure, now part of Hiscox, specialises in event, conference and exhibition insurance. Email: enquiries@insurex-exposure.com

• Ladbrook 'understand how voluntary organisations operate and we understand their insurance needs. We have negotiated exclusive deals with a number of insurance companies specifically for voluntary organisations ... donate a percentage of our earnings to charity and we promote and encourage ethical investment within our pensions and investment advice.' Chartered Insurance Practitioner, specialist insurances include community groups, office cover.
  Unit 17, Dinnington Business Centre, Outgang Lane, Dinnington, Sheffield S25 3QX, phone 01909 565858, email: info@ladbrook.co.uk

• MasterPolicy Independent Insurance for Churches, Charities, Social Enterprises & Community Groups, in business for over 20 years. Phone 01767 318200.

• PCS Risk Solutions Specialist broker in sporting, exhibition and other events insurance.

• Thomas, Carroll (Brokers) Charity Select. Pendragon House, Crescent Road, Caerphilly, CF83 1XX, phone 02920 887733.

• SISA Have a Charities Office insurance policy amongst their range of options.

• Tennyson Insurance set up in 2007 as a charity specialist, has at summer 2010, public liability insurance for small voluntary organisations and community groups which costs less than £10 a month or £75 a year - developed by Zurich Insurance in collaboration with sector support umbrella NAVCA.

• Towergate MIA is a specialist broker to medical and caring professionals, and currently (2011) insures over 50% of independently owned hospices in the UK, as well as other charities. Contact Colin Grant, phone 01438 739306, email: Colin.grant@towergate.co.uk

• Unity Insurance Services is owned by the Scout Association and have over 80 years experience in providing them with insurance. Specialists in youth and voluntary sector insurance. Phone 0845 0945 702, email: info@unityinsuranceservices.co.uk

• WRS Insurance Brokers Based in Colchester, has specialist policies for charities etcincluding minibus.

Specialist Policies

• Ansvar Insurance Ansvar House, St Leonards Road, Eastbourne, E Sussex, BN21 3UR, phone 01323 737541. Various specific insurance policies designed for the sector such as Community Groups (for groups using church or community premises), Charity Shops, Minibuses, Small Charity Offices and various Church related. Also Events insurance policy. Not quite so strong on the 'standard' company stuff.

• Directors and Officers (a brand name of Royal and Sun Alliance). Charity and trustee indemnity. Stane Court, Albion Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1FB, phone 01403 235047.

• Markel UK has specialty insurance products for areas such as Social Welfare, Charities and Community.

• Marsh Have specialist policies including one covering internet/web matters. Charities/non-profit pages.

• NODA Insurance# provides a combined policy for amateur theatre groups.

• Pound Gates specialises in childcare and early years insurance.

• Royal and Sun Alliance has developed Sector 3 range of policies, including employers, personal accident, events, legal expenses. Available through various brokers, mostly those listed above. Phone 0800 072 0600.

• VillageGuard from Allied Westminster is for village halls.

• Village Halls Plus Group is from three rural community councils working together with Zurich Municipal to offer a range of insurance to village halls across the UK, including cover for special events, loss of revenue and material damage.

• Zurich Municipal has long provided insurance policies for community organisations. See Community and Social Organisations web pages. Phone 0845 600 3184, email: zurichthirdsector@uk.zurich.com

Also See

• NatureSave Not a major sector specialist, but may be of interest because of following features (but please check that they are not now out-of-date)
  • an Environmental Performance Review (EPR) included within the premium
  • an Environmental Information & Advice Service during the policy period
    Phone 01803 864 390, email: mail@naturesave.co.uk
    
    
• Lockton International Vehicle Risk Management (was Alexander Forbes) for international motor vehicle cover, designed to meet the need of international charities/humanitarian organisations.
  
  
• Burnett & Associates# have been recommended as computer maintenance specialist brokers.