A hard day’s work, especially when it’s worthwhile, can be extremely fulfilling. Working for a noteworthy cause can be an especially rewarding experience, so it’s no surprise why so many people across the country give some of their time and effort by volunteering.
Before you volunteer, check with the organization to which you’re offering your time and see what kind of coverage they have for volunteers. You may want to look into purchasing individual accident insurance in case you are injured while volunteering.
According to nationalservice.gov, the volunteer rate in 2018 was 30.3 percent1. And, as three out of 10 people will tell you, volunteering has its perks. According to helpguide.org, volunteering has all kinds of benefits to make individuals feel happier and healthier, including connecting to others, being good for the mind and body, advancing careers, and bringing fun and fulfillment to life2.
If you volunteer your time, you should consider your own safety and be prepared for any possible outcome of your good deed. Between 2003 and 2007, 287 volunteer workers were fatally injured on the job, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics3 And organizations vary in their offering of volunteer workers’ compensation coverage, because “there are significant differences in how states address workers’ compensation coverage for volunteers,” according to environmentalsafetyupdate.com4.
So before you volunteer, check with the organization to which you’re offering your time and see what kind of coverage they have for volunteers. You may want to look into purchasing individual accident insurance in case you are injured while volunteering, as accident insurance can help pay for medical expenses from an accident or can provide a payout to beneficiaries because of an accidental death, depending on the policy. Volunteering or not, accidents can happen anywhere at any time, and it’s always best to be prepared. If you have any questions about accident insurance, contact a licensed insurance agent.