In a nonprofit's workers' compensation coverage, what must occur for volunteers to be covered?

In a nonprofit's workers' compensation coverage, what must occur for volunteers to be covered?

• A. Volunteer status is confirmed by the state
• B. Volunteer status is confirmed by the insurer
• C. The nonprofit adopts coverage
• D. Volunteers must have wages paid

Answer: (C)

Volunteers are not automatically covered under a nonprofit’s workers’ compensation plan. Coverage for volunteers exists only if the nonprofit explicitly elects to provide it. In other words, the nonprofit must adopt or opt in to coverage for volunteers. The state or the insurer doesn’t unilaterally grant volunteer coverage based on status, and whether volunteers are paid or unpaid isn’t the deciding factor—paying wages would typically shift status toward employees anyway, triggering standard coverage. So the essential step is the nonprofit’s adoption of coverage.

Volunteers are not automatically covered under a nonprofit’s workers’ compensation plan. Coverage for volunteers exists only if the nonprofit explicitly elects to provide it. In other words, the nonprofit must adopt or opt in to coverage for volunteers. The state or the insurer doesn’t unilaterally grant volunteer coverage based on status, and whether volunteers are paid or unpaid isn’t the deciding factor—paying wages would typically shift status toward employees anyway, triggering standard coverage. So the essential step is the nonprofit’s adoption of coverage.