Nonprofit organizations wear many hats, and sometimes one of those includes “chauffeur.” From transporting volunteers to a conference or staff to an outreach event, vans offer a convenient, budget-friendly way to move people from point A to point B. But they also come with serious safety considerations, and overlooking them could expose nonprofits to liability claims and lawsuits. Let’s dig deeper into 15-passenger van safety to understand the safety guidelines and risk management strategies that can help protect your clients that operate nonprofit and social services operations.
The Hidden Risks of 15-Passenger Vans
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 15-passenger vans experience a sharp increase in rollover risk as occupancy increases. Vans carrying 10 or more passengers are nearly three times more likely to roll over than those with fewer than five.
Additional risk factors include:
- A high center of gravity when fully loaded
- Poor handling in emergency maneuvers
- Rear-axle weight concentration (especially when passengers are seated behind it)
- Improper tire maintenance or inflation
- Unrestrained occupants (nearly 70% of van-related fatalities involve passengers not wearing seat belts)
Where the Gaps Become Costly
Nonprofits may emphasize mission over logistics, but that doesn’t make them immune to complex liability exposures. If a 15-passenger van is involved in an accident, especially one involving multiple passengers, your client could face a wide range of claims that standard liability policies may not fully address.
Bodily Injury
If a volunteer, client, or staff member is injured in a van accident, the nonprofit entity could be liable for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and even long-term disability. These types of claims escalate quickly when multiple passengers are involved, particularly if any are unrestrained or if negligence can be tied to the organization’s operations.
Property Damage
Collisions with other vehicles, buildings, or roadside infrastructure may result in significant third-party property claims, not to mention repairs to the van itself. If your client relies on personal auto policies or insufficient commercial limits, they may be left covering damages out of pocket.
Workers’ Compensation
If a staff member is injured while driving or riding in the van as part of their job duties, a workers’ compensation claim is likely to follow. Even minor incidents, like a slip and fall while exiting the van, can lead to claims that sideline employees and stretch an already limited budget.
Vicarious and Contingent Liability
When a nonprofit uses volunteers or leases vehicles, it may unintentionally assume liability for people or property they don’t directly manage. If an accident occurs while a volunteer is behind the wheel, the organization could be held responsible, even if they don’t own the vehicle or employ the driver.
Hired and Non-Owned Auto (HNOA) Risks
Many nonprofits assume that if they rent a van or allow a volunteer to drive their own vehicle, they’re off the hook. That’s a dangerous misconception. Without adequate HNOA coverage, your client could be left exposed when accidents occur in rented or personally owned vehicles used for organizational purposes.
The Coverage Conversation: Questions Agents Should Be Asking
Your coverage expertise is part of what makes agents and brokers invaluable insurance partners for business owners. By digging into how your clients use vehicles within the operation, you can help them avoid costly claims and lawsuits. Consider asking:
- Does the nonprofit own or rent 15-passenger vans for events, outreach, or travel?
- Who drives the vans, and are they trained in operating high-occupancy vehicles?
- Is seatbelt usage enforced?
- Does the organization have a written plan for vehicle inspections, maintenance, and repairs? Are these activities documented in writing?
- Are volunteers ever behind the wheel on behalf of the nonprofit?
- Does the nonprofit carry hired and non-owned auto coverage?
- Are auto liability policy limits sufficient to address the expected passenger volume and transportation schedule?
- Does the organization have both general liability coverage as well as auto liability?
In the event of an accident or injury, especially one involving multiple passengers, the potential for out-of-pocket financial losses can be substantial. And if a volunteer driver is involved, things can get even more complicated…and expensive.
Nonprofit Coverage Backed by 50 Years of Experience
MiniCo’s exclusive Nonprofit and Social Services insurance program is designed to address the specific needs of mission-driven organizations including nonprofits and social services entities. Our program underwriters have the highest level of experience and knowledge about risks facing these businesses to include potential exposures resulting from the use of 15-passenger vans, personal vehicles, and more. With over 50 years of experience specializing in insurance solutions for the nonprofit sector, MiniCo is your go-to resource for placing nonprofit and social services risks as well as supporting clients with real-world risk management resources. Learn more on our website and contact our team to get a quote.
