International NGO & Relief Insurance Coverage Checklist
The coverages an international ngo & relief business may carry — core, prevalent, and situational — why each matters, and the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current policy and check the box next to any coverage you can confirm is already in place — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor. Coverage checklist for U.S.-based relief, development, and mission organizations working abroad. Priorities reflect typical exposure for this class; confirm against your actual countries and programs.
Tick each coverage you can confirm you carry — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Have it? | Coverage | Why this business needs it | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Liability (Worldwide GL) | U.S. general liability usually covers only suits brought in the U.S. — a foreign package covers claims abroad. | Core | |
| Foreign Voluntary Workers' Compensation | Covers U.S. staff injured abroad and pays repatriation — U.S. state comp may not apply. | Core | |
| Travel Medical & Medical Evacuation | Pays emergency care and evacuation for staff and volunteers abroad. | Core | |
| Directors & Officers | Covers board decisions, donor disputes, and duty-of-care claims against leaders. | Core | |
| Kidnap, Ransom & Extortion | Pays crisis response, ransom, and related costs — standard for high-risk countries. | Prevalent | |
| Political Evacuation & Crisis Response | Covers evacuating staff when a country becomes unsafe. | Prevalent | |
| Abuse & Molestation / Safeguarding | Covers abuse claims involving beneficiaries, including children. | Prevalent | |
| Crime / Employee Dishonesty | Covers theft, fraud, and diverted funds at home and in the field. | Prevalent | |
| Foreign Auto Liability | Covers vehicles owned or rented abroad where local insurance falls short. | Situational | |
| Workers' Compensation (U.S.) | Required for U.S.-based staff. | Situational | |
| Cyber / Privacy Liability | Covers donor and beneficiary data. | Situational |
The coverage gap most often missed
The gap most often missed by international nonprofits is assuming U.S. policies travel. Most U.S. general liability and workers' comp policies do not respond to claims or injuries abroad, and emergency medical evacuation is rarely covered by U.S. health plans. Duty of care is also tightening — a Norwegian court held an aid group grossly negligent after a staff member was kidnapped in a known high-risk area. Confirm a foreign package covers liability, voluntary comp, medevac, and kidnap response for every country you work in.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your international ngo & relief coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: International NGO & Relief Organization Insurance · International NGO & Relief Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does an international ngo & relief business need?
The core coverages for an international ngo & relief business are Foreign Liability (Worldwide GL), Foreign Voluntary Workers' Compensation, Travel Medical & Medical Evacuation, Directors & Officers. This checklist also lists the prevalent and situational coverages worth considering, with a plain-English note on why each matters.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my international ngo & relief coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.