Nonprofit Outdoors – Conservation – Education

In addition to traditional insurance programs, Pachner & Associates has teamed up with risk purchasing groups to offer affordable liability insurance to nonprofit environmental conservation and outdoor activities organizations, as well as nature education centers, land trusts and certifications/standards associations in an A.M. Best’s A-rated insurance carriers.

Group Programs
American Hiking Society Alliance and New York/New Jersey Trail Conference

Please note that as of May, 2010, special low cost group insurance programs are available for members of the American Hiking Society Alliance of Trail Organizations and the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference. The coverage is broader and less expensive than that provided on a standalone basis. Information on the programs will be available through those organizations.

These programs enable not-for-profit organizations to operate with affordable liability insurance coverage for staff, volunteer directors and officers, volunteer administrators and activity leaders. We have separate property/inland marine coverage available for those organizations that own real or personal property, including offices, facilities, “unprotected” back country cabins or lodges and recreational equipment. Other nonprofit organization coverage is available for Directors & Officers LIability, Fidelity, ERISA Bonds and other coverages.  

Certified Chapters of National Audubon Society

As of April 15, 2011 an exclusive low cost group insurance program specifically designed for and available only to Certified Chapters of National Audubon Society includes all coverage typically required by National Audubon Society Chapters of all sizes. Information is available in the section below.

Certified Chapters of National Audubon Society Exclusive Group Insurance Program

Certified Chapters of National Audubon Society Exclusive Group Insurance Program

This insurance program is available only to certified chapters of National Audubon Society. Please proceed only if you are qualified to purchase insurance through this program as a certified chapter of National Audubon Society.

You can download a copy of our brochure describing the benefits and highlights of this insurance program.
See a copy of the table top poster for our sponsor booth at the 2013 Audubon Convention

The following pages contain more detailed information about the insurance coverage and limits afforded by the risk purchasing group program, as well as brochures containing insurance applications, and claim / incident reporting forms that can be downloaded to your computer.

You can skip directly to the detailed insurance applications and claims form below if you wish. You can also download a digital version of the insurance program information for distribribution to your board members and committee members. We hope to have online insurance applications available in the future.

Please read this insurance program description carefully. This is a summary of coverage as of April 15, 2013 and only an actual insurance policy grants coverage. Please contact Pachner & Associates, LLC with any questions about the insurance program or coverage.

About This Insurance Program

Basic Coverage Offered

Optional Coverage on Group Policy

Insurance Underwriters

Additional Low Cost Coverage Outside the Group Policy

Who are Pachner & Associates, LLC?

Who Is Don Pachner?

How to Apply for the Group Program for Certified Chapters of National Audubon Society

Some Helpful Information - Please Read Before Completing Insurance Applications

Who is Covered?

What is Covered? Answers to some commonly asked questions about basic coverage...

Group Insurance Program Incident/Claim Reporting Form

These programs enable not-for-profit organizations to operate with affordable liability insurance coverage for staff, volunteer directors and officers, volunteer administrators and activity leaders. We have separate property/inland marine coverage available for those organizations that own real or personal property, including offices, facilities, “unprotected” back country cabins or lodges and recreational equipment. Other nonprofit organization coverage is available for Directors & Officers Liability, Fidelity, ERISA Bonds and other coverages.

Our clients include regional outdoors organizations and associated chapters, grass roots conservation organizations and those with outdoors activity, National Scenic Trail construction and maintenance associations, and national associations of outdoors clubs and their chapters. We also write insurance on nonprofit mountaineering/alpine, skiing and paddling organizations. 

Our risk purchasing group program designed for nonprofit trail associations & affiliated outdoor clubs, land trusts and environmental conservation organizations is comprised of two policies, a Commercial General Liability Policy with low rates, and a Participant Accident/Excess Medical Expense Policy required by the liability insurer to keep liability rates low.

Our client trail associations include both terrestrial and water-based trails.

On these policies, Non-owned/Hired Automobile Liability, Abuse & Molestation Coverage and Liquor Legal Liability coverage are optional and available at additional cost. Optional higher liability limits are available at additional cost on an excess liability policy.

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance is available on a separate policy at competitive rates where required by your organization. This policy normally covers claims against the organization resulting from alleged acts, errors or omission of the club’s directors, officers and volunteer committee members that result in financial harm to others or impairment of the organization’s assets, and typically excludes claims for bodily injury or tangible property damage. Employment Practices Liability Insurance is available at low cost to cover wrongful dismissal of staff/volunteers, third party discrimination, personal injury resulting in financial harm to others, tortious interference, etc.

NOTE: Our programs for outdoor activity organizations is designed primarily for outdoor activities that are non-motorized sports, such as hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, kayaking or canoeing. We also have a separate program for downhill ski areas, ski clubs and ski instructors, snow cat skiing and ski mountaineering, technical or ice climbing and mountaineering, Class 4-5 white water paddling or equestrian activities. It is NOT designed for sports that primarily utilize powered conveyances such as snowmobile tours, ATV tours or heli-skiing.

For further information or an application for insurance, email Don Pachner with your organization’s name, address, web site URL and contact information at: outdoors@pachner.info.