Texas Animal Rescue Insurance Essentials

Animal rescue organizations in Texas provide critical services, often operating in complex and high-risk environments. From facility operations to volunteer activities and animal handling, these efforts involve unique liabilities that require tailored insurance coverage. At Rollo Insurance, we help rescue groups identify the right protections to minimize risk and ensure smooth operations for your team, your animals, and the public.

What Are Unique Risks Faced by Texas Animal Rescue Organizations?

• Animal-Related Injuries: Volunteers, staff, and the public can be bitten, scratched, or otherwise injured by the animals in your care, especially those with unknown temperaments or medical issues. Texas has specific laws regarding animal bites.
• Property Damage by Animals: Animals can cause damage to your shelter facilities, foster homes, vehicles, or the property of third parties.
• Volunteer Injuries: Volunteers are crucial to rescue efforts, and their injuries while performing tasks like handling animals, cleaning, or transporting can lead to liability claims.
• Auto Accidents: Transporting animals to and from shelters, foster homes, vet appointments, and adoption events carries the risk of vehicle accidents. Texas has specific regulations for vehicle insurance.
• Property Damage to Facilities: Shelters and foster homes can be damaged by fire, storms (common in Texas), vandalism, or other covered perils.
• Business Interruption: Events that force you to temporarily cease operations, such as a natural disaster or significant property damage, can disrupt your ability to care for animals and organize adoptions.
• Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions): Mistakes in adoption procedures, providing information about an animal’s history, or managing foster placements can lead to liability claims.
• Cyber Liability: If you collect and store donor information or volunteer data online, you’re vulnerable to data breaches.
• Event Liability: Fundraising events or adoption days can have their own set of liability exposures.
• Board Member Liability (Directors & Officers – D&O): Board members can be held personally liable for decisions made in their capacity.

Required and Recommended Coverages for Texas Animal Rescue Organizations:

Often Required:

• Commercial Auto Insurance: If your organization owns or uses vehicles, this is required in Texas and covers accidents involving your fleet.
• Workers’ Compensation Insurance: If you have paid employees in Texas, this is typically mandatory and covers their medical expenses and lost wages for work-related injuries.

Highly Recommended:

• Commercial General Liability (CGL) Insurance: Provides broad protection against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims. This is crucial for incidents involving the public, volunteers, and the animals in your care.
• Animal Bailee Coverage (Care, Custody, or Control): Specifically covers injury to or death of the animals in your care, which is a primary risk for rescue organizations.
• Professional Liability Insurance (Errors & Omissions): Protects against claims arising from mistakes in your professional services, such as adoption procedures or providing inaccurate information.
• Directors & Officers (D&O) Liability Insurance: Essential to protect your board members from personal liability.
• Commercial Property Insurance: Covers your physical assets, including shelter buildings, equipment, and supplies.

Other Important Coverages to Consider:

• Volunteer Accident Insurance: Provides coverage for medical expenses for volunteers injured while working for your organization.
• Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability: If volunteers use their personal vehicles for rescue-related activities.
• Cyber Liability Insurance: Protects your organization from financial losses and legal liabilities resulting from data breaches.
• Special Event Liability Insurance: Provides coverage for fundraising or adoption events.
• Umbrella or Excess Liability Insurance: Provides an additional layer of liability protection above the limits of your other policies.

Texas-Specific Insurance Considerations for Animal Rescues:

• Texas Laws Regarding Animals: Be aware of state and local ordinances related to animal control, bites, and liability.
• Volunteer Protection Act: While federal law offers some protection to volunteers, understand any state-specific provisions in Texas.
• Fundraising Regulations: Ensure your insurance covers potential liabilities associated with fundraising activities in Texas.

Average Cost of Insurance for Texas Animal Rescue Organizations

The average cost of insurance for Texas animal rescues varies significantly based on numerous factors:

• Size of the Organization: Larger rescues with more animals, staff, and volunteers generally have higher premiums.
• Number of Animals in Care: The more animals you house and handle, the greater the potential for animal-related incidents.
• Services Provided: Organizations offering a wider range of services (sheltering, fostering, transport, events) may have different risks.
• Number of Employees and Volunteers: More individuals involved increase the potential for claims.
• Claims History: A history of past insurance claims will likely lead to higher rates.
• Coverage Limits and Deductibles: Higher coverage limits and lower deductibles will increase premiums.
• Number of Locations and Vehicles: More physical assets increase property and auto insurance costs.

To provide a very broad estimate, a small Texas animal rescue might pay anywhere from $750 to $5,000 or more annually for a basic package including general liability and animal bailee coverage. Adding other coverages like D&O, professional liability, and commercial auto can significantly increase this cost. It’s crucial to obtain personalized quotes based on your specific organization’s operations and needs.

Insurance That Supports Your Animal Rescue Organization

Running an animal rescue in Texas involves a range of risks, from property damage and liability concerns to incidents involving volunteers and animals. The right insurance coverage helps protect your organization and keeps operations running smoothly. At Rollo Insurance, we understand the specific challenges animal rescues face and can help you build a tailored insurance plan that addresses your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and ensure your organization is properly protected.