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Insurance

Types of Insurance Coverage

It is important to obtain the appropriate insurance to keep you and the people you work with safe. 

Below you will find information on the following insurance coverage options: 

Social Services Group Liability Program

Most government funders require you to have commercial general liability coverage as part of your contract. Many contracts automatically come with a commercial general liability policy called the Social Services Group Liability Program (SSGLP).  Other times they may require you to purchase coverage yourself. 

The insurance section of your agreement will outline:

  • Insurance that has been arranged for you, if amy.
  • Some of the limits to that coverage.
  • What insurance coverage you are required to purchase directly.

 

If SSGLP insurance is included in your contract, the policy will arrive by mail or email from AON after your agreement has been signed. 

If you have questions about your SSGLP coverage, you can contact AON at 1-877-388-7577 or [email protected].

WorkSafeBC

WorkSafeBC provides coverage for employers and workers if staff are injured at work. 

Whether you should purchase coverage from WorkSafeBC will depend on the conditions of work for the people you hire. 

Your funding contract will likely set some parameters when coverage is required, and by whom, but it is your responsibility, by law, to find out whether you require it. In cases where it is not your legal responsibility to provide coverage, you should have your workers provide evidence of their own WorkSafe coverage.

For more information or to apply for coverage, visit the WorkSafeBC website.  

Employment Practices Liability Insurance

Employment Practices Liability (EPL) Insurance provides employers coverage against employment-related lawsuits, such as wrongful dismissal, breach of contract, harassment, and discrimination.

For those with a Society, this coverage will be combined with your Directors and Officers Coverage (see below).

For those with Individualized Funding, you can choose to use some of your administrative funding to purchase this coverage.

Vela Canada has an arrangement with BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd who have familiarized themselves with Individualized Funding and are able to provide EPL insurance. 

To apply, please contact:

[email protected]

 

Note: Microboards and Person Centred Societies must include a completed Directors and Officers Liability Form with their application.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

Microboards and Person Centred Societies funded through Community Living BC (CLBC) are responsible for Directors and Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance.

D&O liability coverage is for all defence costs and damages (awards and settlements) that are incurred from wrongful act allegations and lawsuits brought against the Microboard or Person Centred Society’s directors.

For Microboards and PCSs, D&O liability and EPL is the responsibility of the Board to obtain to ensure that the Society and its Directors are protected.

CLBC automatically includes monthly payments totaling $840/year to your contract for you to purchase your coverage with a $2 million liability limit. If your quote is above that threshold you will need to find the extra funding in your existing administrative budget.

When looking for D&O and EPL coverage for your Society, it is important that you:

  • Ensure the insurance provider you select understands you need coverage for a single Society, and that you do not fall under a group plan.
  • Ensure that your provider is licensed to provide insurance in Canada.

 

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact your Vela mentor.

You are welcome to use any insurance provider you choose, but we recommend: 

 

BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd.

Vela Canada has an arrangement with BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd, who have familiarized themselves with Microboards and can correctly provide Directors and Officers Liability insurance and EPL insurance. 

To apply, please contact:

[email protected]

And include the Microboard Directors and Officers and EPL Application Form.


Other Insurance Providers:

Vela Canada has an arrangement with BMS Canada Risk Services Ltd, who have familiarized themselves with Microboards and can correctly provide Directors and Officers Liability insurance and EPL insurance. 

To apply, please contact:

[email protected]

And include the Microboard Directors and Officers and EPL Application Form.

Home Sharing Property Support Program (HSPSP)

For Microboards and Person Centred Societies with shared living contracts through Community Living BC (CLBC) only.

CLBC has a program called the Home Sharing Property Support Program (HSPSP) to provide home sharing providers with comprehensive insurance coverage if property is damaged by individuals supported in home sharing situations. It covers significant property damage as well as protection from occasional minor property damage (outside of normal wear and tear).

There is a minor damage program for damage under $25K and then an insurance rider for significant damage for damages over $25K.

To obtain this coverage, you have to meet the following criteria:

  • The home sharing provider must be under contract with the Person Centred Society or Microboard.
  • Damages must have occurred within the term of that contract.
  • Home sharing providers must have homeowner or tenant insurance.
  • Damages must be to the property of the home sharing provider, and those damages must result from the direct action or negligence of the supported person.

More information available on Community Living BC’s webiste.