Insurance losses due to reviver statutes for legacy abuse claims, social inflation and nuclear verdicts are driving up liability insurance rates. Some underwriting executives including those at Hub International have posited that reducing policy limits saves money and can make nonprofits less attractive targets for the plaintiffs’ bar — but choosing the right level of insurance protection requires a deeper analysis.

When plaintiffs’ attorneys prosecute abuse and molestation cases, one of the first lines of questioning typically involves the target’s insurance protection: What type of policy and how much will it cover? Many attorneys take a pragmatic “grab-and-go” approach by demanding policy limits, collecting those sums and moving on to new opportunities rather than face a jury trial. In such instances, low insurance limits may discourage aggressive, protracted litigation.

However, limited insurance protection won’t immunize an organization for an egregious case of willful, wanton misconduct — such as serial abuse or vehicular manslaughter by an impaired driver. Juries won’t tolerate wanton negligence and won’t stop at an organization’s insurance limits when awarding financial damages. The bankruptcies of multiple Roman Catholic dioceses and the Boy Scouts of America illustrate the perils of inadequate insurance protection.

Use Data Analytics to Determine the Correct Insurance Mix

Weighing the benefits of lower liability limits against maintaining potentially insufficient coverage if a calamitous event occurs requires a deep dive into an organization’s net assets, annual revenues, location and relative prominence. While many organizations look to benchmarking data as a barometer, this is a flawed approach because finding “comparable” nonprofits is subjective. Do you benchmark organizations by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)? By revenues or net assets? Headcount? Location?

Even if the benchmarking sources use a credible pool of organizations sharing similar characteristics, are the decisions made by those nonprofits necessarily appropriate for the organization seeking insurance guidance?

A better approach is to take an inwardly focused look at the organization’s metrics. A nonprofit can use analytics modeling tools to examine its own claims history and financials, and run thousands of loss simulations against a robust industry database of benchmark incidents. These Monte Carlo simulations will generate a wide range of potential situations, outcomes and probabilities, quantifying the organization’s projected loss frequency and severity from those events.

This data equips the nonprofit with information it needs to select an optimal insurance structure and yields objective recommendations for risk management and a defensible basis for insurance decisions.

Calibrating your insurance limits in today’s dynamic legal environment doesn’t have to be a guessing game. A skilled risk advisor can be a valuable resource to stretch your insurance dollars and fortify protection where it’s needed most.

Learn More

Care Central VNA & Hospice, a leading provider of community-based home health, hospice, private duty, and adult day care in Central Massachusetts, will be accepting the transfer of care of patients and will be welcoming staff for employment, following the upcoming transition from Overlook VNA & Hospice.

Overlook VNA & Hospice recently announced its decision to transfer operations effective August 28, 2025. In collaboration with Overlook leadership, Care Central is coordinating a compassionate, well-structured transition of care for patients who choose to seamlessly continue with their home health & hospice services. 

“Our foremost priority throughout this transition is to ensure patients and families continue to receive uninterrupted, high-quality care,” said Holly Chaffee, President and CEO of Care Central VNA & Hospice. “We are also proud to welcome members of the Overlook team who share our commitment to compassionate, community-focused care.”

Care Central has initiated onboarding efforts for Overlook clinicians and support staff, many of whom will continue serving the same patients and service areas to preserve continuity and trust. Patients and families will be personally contacted to ease the transition and provide updated information about their new Care Central care team.

“As a proud, free-standing nonprofit organization serving Central Massachusetts, we are thrilled to share a milestone moment in our history—we are doubling in size,” said Holly Chaffee, President & CEO of Care Central VNA & Hospice. “With this expansion, our service territory will reach 128 towns, welcoming 30 new communities into our care. This tremendous growth allows us to touch the lives of even more patients and families with the compassionate, high-quality care they deserve. Equally important, we are honored to welcome talented members of the Overlook team whose dedication to our mission will further strengthen our presence and amplify our impact across the nonprofit community.”

“This transition guarantees that those we have been honored to serve will continue receiving the same high-quality, compassionate care through a trusted organization that shares our values and unwavering commitment to residents and the community. By choosing Care Central VNA & Hospice, patients will not only experience continuity of care but will also be comforted by the familiar faces of staff they already know and trust,” said Tameryn Campbell of Overlook VNA & Hospice.

For more information about Care Central VNA & Hospice or to inquire about services or employment opportunities, please visit www.carecentralvna.org or call 978-632-1230.

Time & Location
Oct 04, 2025, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
College of the Holy Cross, 1 College St, Worcester, MA 01610

About The Event
In today’s fast-paced media environment, dominated by social media, how you communicate about a crisis is one of the most important aspects of leading through it. Effective crisis communication begins in the calm before the storm, in developing healthy relationships with reporters, organizing your team to prepare and to act as one, and in putting communication at the very front of your leadership efforts. Admiral John Kirby became the face — and the voice — of numerous high-profile crises, from the Navy Yard shooting of 2013 to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and dozens more. Learn from Admiral Kirby how to prepare for crises and lead — both in action and communication — when they arise.

Register here to attend Admiral Kirby’s keynote speech at Holy Cross (One College Street, Worcester) on Saturday, October 4th at 5:30pm.

This event is hosted by the O’Callahan Society and Holy Cross’ Office of Alumni Relations. Questions may be directed to

Register Now

 

Looking to make a change? The Fitchburg Arts Community (FAC) has immediate availability of just a few remaining two-bedroom apartments renting for $1494/month with heat and hot water included. Are you an artist? Join other like-minded individuals looking to foster their creativity with gallery and studio space next door to the Fitchburg Art Museum. The FAC features unique apartments as part of a beautiful renovation of the historic former BF Brown School, High School Annex and City Stables. Wingate, the property manager for these apartments, is willing to work with housing authorities on a mutually agreeable rent should you have a mobile voucher. Whether you are an artist or not, ACT NOW, as there are only a few apartments remaining.

For more information, visit fitchburgarts.com or Contact:

Ginny’s Helping Hand, Inc., a food pantry and thrift shop located on Mechanic Street dedicated to providing a “Hand Up” to those in need, today announced it will hold its Second Annual Murder Mystery Dinner and Silent Auction. This year’s event is in partnership with the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Institute Class of 2025, which selected Ginny’s as their community beneficiary.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 27 at 6 p.m. at Great Wolf Lodge, 150 Great Wolf Drive, Fitchburg, and will feature the murder mystery performance, “A High School Reunion…with a Deadly Twist,” presented by Brickroad Productions. In addition to an interactive mystery experience, a cocktail reception, dinner, and silent auction will be provided.

“The need at our food pantry has reached unprecedented levels,” said Brandon L. Robbins, executive director, Ginny’s Helping Hand. “By joining us at the event, people will enjoy a night of entertainment while helping ensure Ginny’s can continue its mission of providing a ‘hand up’ to our neighbors in need. We invite everyone to join us in being part of something special.”

“Our community’s need for support is undeniable, and we felt called to stand alongside Ginny’s Helping Hand to help bring relief and comfort where it matters most. This opportunity has allowed us to turn leadership into action and action into meaningful impact. Together, we’re helping to rewrite stories of hunger and hardship into stories of dignity, strength, and renewed possibility,” said Lynese Wiafe, help desk coordinator, Fitchburg State University, and member of the Community Leadership Institute Class of 2025. “We hope our family, friends, and colleagues will join us in supporting this event so no one in our community experiences food insecurity. Our deepest wish is that this event reminds every person facing hardship that they are seen, valued, and surrounded by a community that truly cares and that they are never alone. We want to give everyone the chance to believe in a brighter tomorrow and know that brighter days are within reach.”

Tickets are $85 per person or $650 per table. All ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit the organization’s programs and services, which include providing groceries for more than 1,800 households and 5,000 individuals every month.

Local businesses, organizations and individuals have committed to supporting the event as sponsors, including All One Credit Union, Bin There Dump That, Brennan Staffing Group, Country Bank, empHowered PR, Fidelity Bank, Fitchburg State University, Great Wolf Lodge, IC Credit Union, Congressman Jim McGovern, Madore Photography, Magic Lamp Consulting, Main Street Bank, Mount Wachusett Community College, Reliant Medical Group, Rollstone Bank & Trust, Ron Bouchard Auto Stores, Workers Credit Union.

Additional sponsorships opportunities are still available.

To learn more about the event, purchase tickets or secure a sponsorship or table, visit https://givebutter.com/c/y3lV1i