Buy Sorority House Insurance

Sorority House Insurance Policy Information

Sorority House Insurance. Sorority houses play a vital role in college life for numerous female college students. These organizations offer an indispensable opportunity to form social bonds that may last a lifetime with fellow members, but sorority houses also nurture academic excellence and encourage philanthropic activities.

Sororities are clubs or organizations that provide social and/or lodging facilities for female college and university students. Some sororities are national in scope, while others are local. National organizations generally have a board of directors whose members are alumni of the sorority.

The board may set up a foundation to provide scholarships for undergraduate members, but these are run by the national organization. Fund-raising activities may be conducted by the national organization or by the individual chapters.

Sorority houses may provide recreational facilities for members.

Recruiting of 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 sororities give preferential consideration for membership to prospects whose mother or sister had also been a member.

Once approved for membership, the prospect goes through a trial period before her initiation into the sorority. Membership in a sorority 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.

An emerging issue is whether sororities should be limited to females only or open to male or transgender students.

Members of Greek sororities often live, study, and party together in sorority houses, and campus life would be difficult to imagine without sorority houses.

Precisely because of the fact that sorority houses function as strong support systems during such a wild time in life, running a sorority house, or being its treasurer, represents a tremendous responsibility.

Those in charge of a sorority chapter's finances do not have to worry if unforeseen circumstances will crop up. Rather, they will have to prepare to protect the sorority house when a minor or major disaster happens.

Investing in sorority house insurance is not optional, but just what types of coverage are needed, and why? Keep reading to learn more.

Sorority 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 sorority house insurance questions:

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

Why Do Sorority Houses Need Insurance?

As bustling hubs of student activity, it is no surprise that sorority houses face numerous threats. Some of the risks that sorority houses have to factor in are universal in nature, while others are more specific to these unique organizations.

It doesn't matter f the sorority is Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Pi Beta Phi, Zeta Tau Alpha or others - sorority houses are legally obliged to carry certain types of insurance for good reason - if a sorority house were to be impacted by a major peril, the resulting costs can be devastating.

The first perils that might come to mind include those associated with large-scale social events; both members of a sorority house and guests, such as visiting fraternities, could be injured, and accidental damage to third party property may also occur during such times.

However, sorority houses also have to consider other scenarios. A sorority house could be impacted by an act of nature, such as an earthquake or hurricane. Burglary and vandalism could cause property damage, as may accidents. Important equipment, such as sound systems or HVAC units, could suddenly break down and require replacement or repair.

All these scenarios, as well as many others, would have the potential to inflict severe financial damage on a sorority house, even to the point of bankruptcy.

In partnering with an insurance company who understands the unique needs of sororities, they gain peace of mind in knowing that their insurer will cover most of the costs associated with serious perils when they have the right sorority house insurance selected.

Sorority House's Risks & Exposures

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

Liquor is a concern if allowed on the premises or used at off-site parties hosted by the sorority, 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 sorority need very careful evaluation as additional security may be required.

While hazing of new members is illegal in almost every state, some sororities continue to disregard this, resulting in bodily injury. Personal injury allegations may arise from assault, bullying, discrimination in the process of selecting new members, invasion of privacy, and wrongful eviction.

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

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.

The national or parent organization may have employees who organize and control the overall operations.

Property exposure can be high due to having a large number of unsupervised college girls 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 sorority'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 ensure all life safety and fire controls continue to be 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 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 sororities, records are maintained by the national organization. If the local sorority 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 sorority 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 sorority houses located on other campuses.

What Does Sorority House Insurance Cover & Pay For?

Sorority houses, like any other organization, can face lawsuits for a variety of reasons. Here are some examples:

Hazing incidents: Sorority houses can face lawsuits if they are found to be responsible for hazing incidents that result in injuries or harm to members or guests. Insurance can help pay for legal expenses and settlements in such cases.

Alcohol-related incidents: If a sorority house serves alcohol to minors or overserves guests who then cause harm to themselves or others, the sorority house can be held liable. Insurance can help pay for legal fees and settlements.

Discrimination: Sorority houses can be sued for discrimination based on factors such as race, gender, or religion. Insurance can help pay for legal fees and settlements in such cases.

Property damage: If a member or guest causes damage to the sorority house or its property, the sorority house can sue for damages. Insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged property.

Sexual assault: Sorority houses can be held liable if they fail to take appropriate action to prevent or address sexual assault incidents that occur on their premises. Insurance can help pay for legal expenses and settlements in such cases.

In all of these examples, insurance can provide financial protection for the sorority house by helping to pay for legal fees, settlements, and damages. It's important for sorority houses to have comprehensive liability insurance coverage that includes coverage for the types of incidents that are most likely to result in 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

Sorority House Insurance - The Bottom Line

To discover the exact types of sorority house insurance policies you'll need, what coverage limits to consider and the associated costs, consult with a reputable agent that is experienced in commercial insurance.

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.