Buy Fraternity House Insurance

Fraternity House Insurance Policy Information

Fraternity House Insurance. Many male college students could not imagine college life without membership in a fraternity house. These student organizations, classified as tax-exempt social and recreational clubs, serve a multitude of different functions.

Fraternities are clubs or organizations that provide social and/or lodging facilities for male college and university students. Some fraternities are national in scope, while others are local.

National organizations generally have a board of directors whose members are alumni of the fraternity. The board may set up a foundation to provide scholarships for undergraduate members, but the national organization runs these. Fund-raising activities may be conducted at the national or the local level.

Fraternity houses may provide recreational facilities for members. Recruiting new members is done through a process called rushing, in which prospects attend social events and are interviewed by existing members, who then vote on whether to admit the prospect as a member.

Most fraternities give preferential consideration for membership to prospects whose father or brother has also been a member. Once approved for membership, the prospect goes through a trial period before his initiation into the fraternity. Membership in a fraternity can be expensive.

In addition to national and chapter dues, there may be an initiation fee, room and board charges, expenses of social and philanthropic events, and fines for infractions of rules.

Fraternities have been in the news for supporting an environment that encourages alcohol abuse. The misuse of alcohol combined with an atmosphere of brotherhood and male dominance has, in some recently publicized cases, resulted in predatory sexual behavior against female students.

An emerging issue is whether fraternities should be limited to males only or open to female or transgender students.

Fraternity houses allow students to immediately begin forming social bonds as they enjoy a range of events, but they also engage in charitable activities and foster academic excellence.

Because members of a fraternity chapter typically live together within the same fraternity house that's home to large-scale parties, it is not difficult to imagine the risks these venues can face.

Although fraternity houses often have access to impressive budgets, unforeseen - and disastrous - events do pose a significant threat to the financial future of any fraternity house.

That is why frats need to be armed with the right fraternity house insurance coverage. What types of insurance do fraternity houses need to invest in? Find out more in this brief guide.

Fraternity house insurance protects your Greek organization from lawsuits with rates as low as $47/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Below are some answers to commonly asked fraternity house insurance questions:

• What Is Fraternity House Insurance?
• How Much Does Fraternity House Insurance Cost?
• Why Do Fraternity Houses Need Insurance?
• What Type Of Insurance Do Fraternity Houses Need?
• What Does Fraternity House Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Why Do Fraternity Houses Need Insurance?

Fraternity houses have complex risk profiles. In other words, the odds that something will, at some point, go wrong are extremely high. Although fraternity houses may be able to deal with the costs of minor perils on their own, more extensive accidents and incidents can have devastating financial consequences.

Whether the organization is Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Tau Kappa Epsilon or others, fraternity houses can be impacted by an act of nature, such as a hurricane, wildfire, or flood, causing extensive damage to the property and its contents.

Burglary and vandalism are realistic possibilities, too, along with serious accidents in which members or guests are injured or property is damaged. Fraternity houses also have to consider the prospect of being sued - even something as innocent as using a copyrighted image on a website can lead to lawsuits.

It does not take much imagination to realize that any of these perils could bankrupt a fraternity chapter, and it is not unlikely that an active fraternity house will face several incidents in short succession.

This is why it is so important to invest in the right types of insurance, often even beyond the coverage that a fraternity house would legally be required to carry.

With a solid fraternity house insurance plan, mishaps that could have dealt catastrophic financial blows become much more manageable, allowing the frat to continue thriving.

Fraternity House's Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposure is very high due to the number of youthful residents and their guests. The fraternity house should meet all life safety codes to assure resident safety. There should be locks and alarms in place to deter unauthorized entry. The fraternity must be well maintained to prevent trips, slips, and falls, with floor covering in good condition.

The number of exits must be sufficient and well marked, with backup lighting in case of power failure. Steps should have handrails, be well-lighted, marked, and in good repair. Sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots should be free from defects and cleared of ice and snow in inclement weather. Balconies should be regularly inspected and maintained.

Roofs should be inaccessible to students. Rooms should be treated to prevent pest infestations such as bedbugs. Liquor is a concern if allowed on the premises or used at off-site parties hosted by the fraternity, as there may be little supervision to prevent overconsumption or drinking by underage residents or their guests.

Any special events offered and sponsored by the fraternity need very careful evaluation as additional security may be required. While hazing of new members is illegal in almost every state, some fraternities continue to disregard this, resulting in bodily injury. Personal injury allegations may arise from assault (including sexual assault), bullying, discrimination in the process of selecting new members, invasion of privacy, and wrongful eviction.

The fraternity should follow the national organization's rules and regulations regarding the use of liquor and the selection and induction of new members.

Workers compensation exposure at a local house or chapter may be limited to an on-site adult supervisor, a cook, and a housekeeper. Cleaning and maintenance operations can result in lung, eye or skin irritations and reactions. Slips and falls, back injury, hernias, sprains and strains from lifting and working at awkward positions are common.

Food preparation operations can result in cuts, scrapes, and burns. Interaction with residents and their guests may involve situations that could produce injuries, such as assault. Employees should be trained in dealing with these situations.

Employees should be trained in dealing with rowdy residents and guests. The national or parent organization may have employees who organize and control the overall operations.

Property exposure can be high due to many unsupervised college boys in control of a large house. There should be adult supervision on premises at all times. Ignition sources include electrical wiring, air conditioning and heating systems, and cooking equipment. Smoking and the use of candles in dormitory rooms should be prohibited.

Many houses are older, converted hotels, apartments, or single-family residences. Conversions should be handled by professionals with appropriate permits and licenses obtained.

The fraternity's national association should oversee the conversion and provide rules for maintenance, housekeeping, and permissible activities. Conversions must meet current codes. The age, condition, configuration, size, repair, and roof of the building affect the potential for loss as damages must be repaired to match the rest of the structure.

The houses must be inspected regularly to make sure all life safety and fire controls are met. Good controls must be in place to prevent, detect, and suppress fire. If meals are prepared on site, the kitchen should be equipped with adequate fire prevention and control devices. Hard-wired smoke detectors should be installed in all dormitory rooms as well as in common areas.

While the house is unoccupied during breaks, heat should be maintained to prevent pipes from breaking and causing water damage. Houses may also be targets for vandalism. Business interruption exposure can be high due to the loss of room rents should backup facilities be unavailable after a loss.

Inland marine exposure is limited to mobile items used for ceremonies. For most fraternities, records are maintained by the national organization. If the local fraternity bills for dues and other fees, accounts receivable coverage will be needed. There may be computers, contractors' equipment used for lawn care, fine arts for paintings and statuary, or valuable papers for members' and donors' information.

Crime exposure is generally limited to theft of money from application fees, fines, fundraisers, membership fees, and special social events. While property of residents could be stolen by employees, other residents, guests, or trespassers, this should be covered on their parents' homeowners policies.

Business auto exposure is limited due to the lack of employees. If hired and non-owned coverage is requested for volunteers using their vehicles on fraternity business, the driver and vehicle should be reviewed very carefully due to the high potential for accidents caused by younger drivers, transporting a large number of passengers, or driving long distances after dark to fraternity houses located on other campuses.

What Does Fraternity House Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Fraternity houses can be sued for a variety of reasons, including hazing, sexual assault, alcohol-related incidents, and property damage. Here are some examples of how insurance can help protect them in these situations:

Hazing incidents: Fraternity houses can be held liable for hazing incidents that result in injury or death. Insurance can help pay for legal defense costs, settlements or judgments.

Sexual assault: Fraternity houses can be held responsible for sexual assaults that occur on their premises. Insurance can help pay for the cost of defense and any settlement or judgment against the fraternity.

Alcohol-related incidents: Fraternity houses may be held responsible for incidents related to the serving of alcohol to minors or the over-serving of alcohol to party guests. Insurance can help cover the cost of legal defense, settlements or judgments.

Property damage: Fraternity houses may be sued for property damage caused by their members or guests. Insurance can help pay for the cost of repairs, replacement or settlement.

In general, insurance policies for fraternity houses typically include general liability, property damage, and liquor liability coverage. These policies can help protect against the financial losses associated with legal claims and lawsuits.

It's important to note that insurance policies typically have limits and exclusions, so it's essential to review and understand the terms of the policy. Additionally, insurance may not cover intentional or criminal acts, so it's crucial for fraternity houses to take steps to prevent incidents that could result in legal claims or lawsuits.

Commercial Insurance And Business Industry Classification

• SIC CODE: 7041 Organization Hotels And Lodging Houses, On Membership Basis
• NAICS CODE: 721310 Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps
• Suggested Workers Compensation Code(s): 9061 Club - NOC & Clerical

Description for 7041: Organization Hotels And Lodging Houses, On Membership Basis

Division I: Services | Major Group 70: Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps, And Other Lodging Places | Industry Group 704: Organization Hotels And Lodging Houses, On Membership Basis

7041 Organization Hotels And Lodging Houses, On Membership Basis: Lodging houses and hotels operated by membership organizations for the benefit of their constituents, and not open to the general public. Commercial hotels operated by such organizations are classified in Industry 7011 and commercial rooming and boarding houses are classified in Industry 7021. Residential homes for the aged and handicapped are classified in Industry 8361.

• Boarding houses operated by organizations for members only
• Boarding houses, fraternity and sorority
• Fraternity residential houses
• Hotels operated by organizations for members only
• Lodging houses operated by organizations for members only
• Residence clubs operated by organizations for members only
• Rooming houses operated by organizations for members only
• Rooming houses, fraternity and sorority
• Sorority residential houses

Fraternity House Insurance - The Bottom Line

To protect your organization, members and guests, having the right fraternity house insurance coverage is essential. To learn about the options are available to you, how much coverage you should invest in and the cost - speak to a reputable commercial insurance broker.

Additional Resources For Lodging Places Insurance

Find out what types of business insurance that hotels, motels and other lodging places should have to protect their varied operations.

• Bed & Breakfast
• Boarding & Rooming Houses
• Fraternity Houses
• Hostels
• Hotel Motel
• Sorority Houses
• Specialty Hotels And Motels

The hotels, motels, and other lodging places industry is a highly competitive and fast-paced industry, with businesses constantly striving to attract and retain customers. This means that hotels, motels, and other lodging places need to be prepared for any potential risks or challenges that may arise. One way to do this is by obtaining business insurance, which can provide protection against a range of different risks.

One of the main reasons why the hotels, motels, and other lodging places industry needs insurance is to protect against property damage. These businesses rely on their physical assets to generate revenue, so any damage to these assets can have serious financial consequences. Business insurance can provide coverage for damages caused by natural disasters, fires, and other incidents, helping hotels, motels, and other lodging places to repair or replace damaged assets.

Another reason why the hotels, motels, and other lodging places industry needs insurance is to protect against liability claims. These businesses are responsible for the safety and well-being of their guests, so any incidents or accidents that occur on their premises could result in liability claims. Commercial insurance can provide coverage for these types of claims, helping hotels, motels, and other lodging places to cover the costs of legal fees and settlement payments.

Finally, the hotels, motels, and other lodging places industry needs commercial insurance to protect against loss of income. These businesses rely on a steady stream of revenue to stay afloat, and any disruptions to this revenue could have serious financial consequences. Insurance can provide coverage for loss of income caused by unforeseen events, such as natural disasters or pandemics, helping hotels, motels, and other lodging places to stay afloat during difficult times.

Overall, the hotels, motels, and other lodging places industry needs insurance to protect against a range of different risks and challenges. By obtaining the right coverage, these businesses can ensure that they are prepared for any potential setbacks and can continue to thrive in a highly competitive industry.

Minimum recommended small business insurance coverage: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income and Extra Expense, Equipment Breakdown, Accounts Receivable, Computers, Valuable Papers and Records, Employee Dishonesty, Guests Property, Money and Securities, General Liability, Employee Benefits, Liquor Liability, Umbrella, Business Auto Liability and Physical Damage, Hired and Non-Owned Auto & Workers Compensation.

Other commercial insurance policies to consider: Earthquake, Flood, Spoilage, Bailees Customers, Commercial Articles Floater, Contractors Equipment, Fine Arts, Signs, Special Floater, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Cyber Liability, Employment-related Practices, Garagekeepers And Stop Gap Liability.