Before You Accept That Grant, Make One More Phone Call
Receiving a grant is exciting! It means your organization has earned the confidence of a funder who believes in your mission. But before you sign the agreement, there's one conversation that can save your organization time, money, and unexpected headaches. Call your insurance agent. Not after you've signed. Before. Too often, I see organizations accept a grant only to discover that the insurance requirements in the contract require additional coverage, higher liability limits, specialized...
Receiving a grant is exciting!
It means your organization has earned the confidence of a funder who believes in your mission. But before you sign the agreement, there's one conversation that can save your organization time, money, and unexpected headaches.
Call your insurance agent.
Not after you've signed.
Before.
Too often, I see organizations accept a grant only to discover that the insurance requirements in the contract require additional coverage, higher liability limits, specialized endorsements, or other policy changes they never budgeted for.
The grant may be worth $100,000, but if meeting the insurance requirements costs several thousand dollars, that's part of the financial picture your leadership and board deserve to understand before making a commitment.
Your Insurance Agent Should Be Part of the Decision
Your insurance advisor shouldn't just be the person you hear from at renewal.
They should be part of your decision-making process.
Before accepting a grant, signing a contract, expanding services, or taking on a new opportunity, your insurance agent can help answer important questions:
- Does our current insurance satisfy the contract requirements?
- Will we need higher limits or additional policies?
- What will those changes cost?
- Are there insurance requirements we should ask the grantor to clarify?
- Are there more cost-effective ways to meet the contract's requirements?
These are questions that are much easier—and often less expensive—to address before you sign.
Review the Contract Together
One of the best things you can do is send the grant agreement to your insurance agent for review.
A good insurance advisor won't just issue a certificate of insurance. They'll review the insurance language, explain what it means, identify any coverage gaps, and help you understand the real cost of complying with the agreement.
That conversation gives your organization the information it needs to make a confident, informed decision.
Why This Matters
Insurance isn't just about recovering after something goes wrong.
It's about helping organizations make smart decisions before they take on new obligations.
At S. Wolf, that's exactly how we approach every client relationship.
We believe your insurance advisor should be someone you can call whenever you're making an important business decision—not just when your policy renews.
That's why we always answer our phones.
Because opportunities don't wait until renewal season.
Grant deadlines don't wait.
Contracts don't wait.
And when you're making decisions that affect your organization, you deserve an advisor who's available to help you evaluate the risks before you sign.
The next time your organization is awarded a grant, don't just celebrate the funding.
Take a few minutes to understand the insurance requirements, review the contract with your insurance advisor, and make sure you know exactly what your organization is committing to.
A simple phone call today can prevent costly surprises tomorrow.
You can or email us with any grant related questions you may have.
Have you been recently awarded a grant?
- Do you know the insurance requirements for the grant?
- Do you know if your coverage is adequate?
- Have you reviewed this with your agent?
Archived from the original Wix article; voting is closed.
The best insurance relationships aren't built around policies—they're built around conversations before the decision is made.