UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County
University of California
UCCE Master Gardeners of San Bernardino County

Volunteer Insurance Coverage for Master Gardeners

 

Reappointment is now complete - along with digitally signing the appropriate documents to continue as a University of California Master Gardener you may have also heard about a fee for insurance.

Hartford Accident and Injury insurance acts as a secondary insurance and covers up to $10,000 of personal expenses tied to an injury sustained while serving as a Master Gardener. For example, if injured while serving as a volunteer, you would first allow your primary insurance to take effect and file a claim with Hartford for any out-of-pocket expenses, such as a co-pay. In the event that an injury is sustained by a volunteer who does not have primary medical insurance, a Hartford claim may be filed but the policy limit remains at $10,000.

Hartford insurance is for personal injury only and does not cover property damage, liability, or injury to any non-volunteer parties.

A separate Automobile Liability insurance covers volunteers acting in official capacity. Volunteers must confirm through an annual agreement that they meet UC minimum insurance requirements, commonly referred to as “50/100/50” and have a valid driver's license in order to qualify for this coverage.

This is often confusing for volunteers as fees for the Hartford Accident and Injury insurance are collected at reappointment time when volunteers identify whether they will drive on behalf of the University and are asked specifically about their vehicle insurance coverage. By opting not to drive for the University , volunteers are not exempt from needing Hartford Accident and Injury coverage.

Whether you are asked to pay the fee individually or the county program finances the fee for the group at large, every UC Master Gardener volunteer must be covered under the Hartford Accident and Injury Insurance.

For more information about Hartford insurance or to download a claim form click here.

Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at 9:50 AM
  • Author: Aubrey Bray
Tags: Hartford (1), Insurance (1), Master Gardener (53), Volunteer (4)

Comments:

1.
Thank you so much for providing this for all volunteers.

Posted by Laura Starr on July 24, 2014 at 8:54 AM

2.
This charge made more sense before the ACA took effect Jan. 1, 2014, requiring personal health insurance. Now it just seems duplicative. Wouldn't "a volunteer who does not have primary medical insurance" be in violation of federal law? Why not just add to the recertification form a checkbox that so MGs and MFPs can affirm that they have personal accident/injury coverage?

Posted by Jane Auerbach on July 25, 2014 at 2:14 PM

3.
The Hartford policy is secondary coverage, intended to reimburse volunteers for any out-of-pocket expenses they may incur due to an injury sustained in the course of their volunteer service.

Reply by Melissa G. Womack on July 28, 2014 at 9:21 AM

4.
I thought I was current on paying this fee-- How do I find out  
Thank you Ellie

Posted by Ellie Longanecker on July 29, 2014 at 6:01 PM

5.
Wonderful piece of information in insurance coverage. Thanks for sharing.  
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Posted by LucyGray on September 5, 2014 at 4:09 AM

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Posted by Darren Thomas on December 8, 2015 at 3:42 AM

7.
Great post!

Posted by Jess D. on October 12, 2016 at 9:14 AM

8.
What is the source for instructions on obtaining insurance information when Master Gardeners are asked to present a workshop or other event on private property. Thank you.

Posted by Stan Bunce on November 15, 2017 at 7:35 AM

9.
Hi Stan, The insurance info posted is about personal coverage of individual volunteers acting as agents for the university. For info about coverage for events and property please refer to the coord. website, here: http://mgcoord.ucanr.edu/Facilities/. Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions! Melissa mgwomack@ucanr.edu

Reply by Melissa G. Womack on November 15, 2017 at 8:37 AM

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