Whether it’s staying healthy, getting around, or connecting with community, getting older is hard. Fortunately, there are numerous nonprofits with missions dedicated to make life easier, healthier, and more enriching for seniors.
However, because the elderly people they serve are considered a vulnerable population, senior services nonprofits come with a higher amount of risk.
To operate safely, then, they need additional coverages that most other nonprofits don’t — so the “one size fits all” policies that most commercial insurance providers offer nonprofits aren’t always enough.
So, what coverages do these nonprofits need most when it comes to their insurance?
Let’s find out.
Meet some senior services nonprofits insured by NIA.
We asked some NIA-insured nonprofits with missions that include senior services. We asked them to share how their missions determine what they need from their insurance coverage and their insurance provider.
Here’s what they had to say…
Community Partners in Caring (Santa Maria, CA)
“We are a volunteer management and training organization engaged in providing free non-medical services to dependent aging adults, 62 and over, and adults living with mild disabilities.
We recruit, screen, train, manage, and match volunteers with individuals in need of support.
Our volunteers assist our clients who no longer drive but still wish to remain independent. Volunteers take clients to doctor appointments, the grocery store, the bank, and social engagements to help them stay connected.
Thanks to our individual donors and grants, our services are always free.”
— Susy Roberts, Executive Office Manager, Community Partners in Caring
Fit To The Core (Menlo Park, CA)
“Fit To The Core delivers senior-focused fitness and wellness programs that help older adults stay active, independent, and connected.
Our mission is to support healthy aging in under-resourced communities through accessible exercise classes, fall-prevention education, and movement workshops that promote strength, mobility, and quality of life.
Our key services include:
- Fitness in the Park series, offering free group exercise classes focused on strength, balance, and mobility.
- Fall prevention and functional movement workshops that teach practical skills to reduce risk and maintain independence.
- Neighborhood walking groups that promote social connection and cardiovascular health.
- Health and wellness education sessions on topics such as longevity habits, brain health, and self-care for seniors.
- Seasonal fitness events and intergenerational programs that build community and support active aging.”
— Tracie VanHook, CEO and Founder, Fit To The Core
The Wheels Program of Greater New Milford (New Milford, CT)
“We are a donation-based service, providing transportation for senior and individuals with disabilities to non-emergency medical appointments.
We aim to help provide medical accessibility to those that might go without otherwise.
Our fleet of vehicles are operated by volunteer drivers. We know how valuable it is to find volunteers, so we mitigate their expenses by providing the vehicles, fuel, and insurance. All they have to donate is their time.”
— Carrie Lee Bunblasky, Executive Director, The Wheels Program of Greater New Milford
What did these senior services nonprofits need most from their insurer?
An insurer that covers the most important assets.
“We want to make sure we cover our most important assets — our volunteers in their personal vehicles and our aging clients while they are driven to their locations.
We also need to ensure that our insurance is solid and that it understands and accommodates our nonprofit service needs.”
— Susy Roberts, Community Partners in Caring
Policies that worked with our people and our mission.
“Our most important need was securing comprehensive liability coverage that would protect both our organization and participants during outdoor, community-based fitness classes.
We needed a policy that supported multi-site programming, volunteer involvement, and working with older adults — ensuring safety, trust, and compliance as we expanded services in public and partnership spaces.
Prior to finding NIA, we faced challenges securing insurance that truly aligned with our nonprofit’s structure and services.
Many providers either lacked experience with senior fitness programs or excluded coverage for outdoor, multi-location classes.
Others offered policies that were too costly or didn’t cover volunteer-led or movement-based activities.”
— Tracie VanHook, CEO and Founder, Fit To The Core
Affordable coverage for a very small nonprofit.
“It is an extreme challenge to find insurance that will cover our unique needs at a cost that doesn’t completely drain our budget. We are a very small nonprofit and run on a very tight budget.”
— Carrie Lee Bunblasky, Executive Director, The Wheels Program of Greater New Milford
How did these senior services nonprofits hear about NIA?
A longtime partnership.
“We have been connected with NIA since I began working for Community Partners in Caring.”
— Susy Roberts, Community Partners in Caring
Researching insurers that specialize in nonprofits.
“We discovered NIA while actively researching insurance providers who specialize in nonprofit organizations.
After comparing several options, we were drawn to NIA’s reputation for understanding the unique risks and operations of community-based nonprofits.
Their focus on organizations like ours — especially those serving aging adults — made them the clear and trusted choice.”
— Tracie VanHook, CEO and Founder, Fit To The Core
Regular searches for the best quotes.
“I believe we have had insurance with NIA for a long time. I do know that we regularly have to go out for quotes to make sure we are receiving the best coverage and price possible.
Generally, no one can match NIA considering our very unique need to insure approximately 20 drivers on a small nonprofit budget.”
— Carrie Lee Bunblasky, Executive Director, The Wheels Program of Greater New Milford
Since becoming an NIA member, how has that relationship helped these senior services nonprofits?
Coverage that provides security and understanding.
“NIA has been a great asset to our nonprofit organization, helping ensure our volunteers and clients feel safe while utilizing our free transportation services.
When we had to reach out to NIA for their support, we felt secure and that we had a partner who understands and cares about helping us.”
— Susy Roberts, Community Partners in Caring
An insurer that aligns with our missions and communities.
“As the founder of a small nonprofit focused on keeping aging adults active and independent, finding insurance that truly fit our mission felt overwhelming — until we found NIA.
They made the process simple, took time to understand our work, and gave us the peace of mind we needed to grow.
We appreciate NIA’s deep understanding of nonprofit needs — especially as a small organization. Their clear communication, nonprofit-specific resources, and responsive support have given us peace of mind.
One key benefit has been knowing our coverage truly aligns with our mission and the communities we serve.”
— Tracie VanHook, CEO and Founder, Fit To The Core
Coverage that allows us to honor our volunteers.
“While our service isn’t necessarily unique, the way The Wheels Program operates as a non-profit organization is — we try to honor the time commitment that our volunteers invest in our organization and community by eliminating all costs to them for driving our clients.
We provide the vehicles, fuel, and insurance for client transportation. All they have to donate is their time.
With this comes great expenses to our organization. We are a small nonprofit operating on a shoestring budget. Without the support of NIA, it would be impossible to insure our vehicles and volunteers are a cost that is sustainable.”
— Carrie Lee Bunblasky, Executive Director, The Wheels Program of Greater New Milford
Nonprofit senior services need an insurer that understands and uplifts their mission.
Why do nonprofits senior services prefer to get the insurance coverage they need from NIA?
It’s simple: Nonprofits want an insurer that understands what they are trying to accomplish, that their mission comes with risks that for-profits simply don’t have, and that they need coverage that actually covers them — for a price that fits their budget.
Your nonprofit provides seniors with tools, services, and resources that help them age gracefully, with dignity, with a sense of community, and, above all, helps them thrive — when NIA insures your nonprofit, you have a partner that protects your mission just as thoughtfully.
