Thanks for everyone's input. I did finally get a chance to get some rate quotes - and just like mum24kids said, it was about a $120 difference between PTO and PTA for exactly the same coverage.

Right now our insurance is a little off - because our fundraising put us over a certain gross income threshold last year, our old carrier won't re-sign with us. A good problem - I suppose, but we were working toward getting playground equipment and I don't envision that we will continue to fundraise with a vengence like we did last year. SO...when we finally settle on a 'normal' insurance policy, I will work with the carrier to make sure we get the best possible rate.

And as mum24kids also noted, we HAVE to carry insurance - our school district has us sign a form stating that we have it....

When I was helping to start up a parent group a couple of years ago, I was able to get the insurance costs for both PTA/PTO quite easily. At that time, for 3 different policies with the same limits, the difference was $120, with the PTO rates being higher. In my state, it was very easy to get the list of premiums for the PTA coverage, along with a description of coverage. Make sure when you check that you are comparing apples to apples--check the limits of liability and the deductibles to make sure they are the same.

As Tim has said, it has absolutely nothing to do with PTAs being less risky. There are no PTA police to make sure checks and balances are followed; you can find stories about PTAs being embezzled from easily enough. It's strictly a matter of volume.

As to what debbieomi posted, I wouldn't rely on the school district. Our district's insurance would also cover an injury on the school property, but, our district still requires parent groups to have their own policies (helps limit the school district's liability). And if someone decides to sue your parent group, it's unlikely the school district is going to step in and offer to handle that for you. I would talk to an insurance agent in some detail before you would make a decision to pass up insurance.

This is on the thread of insurance but off the subject a wee bit.
When we first organized as a PTA, we looked at the insurance issue. This was mainly for liability should someone get hurt at one of our sponsored events. I talked with the lady in charge of this insurance for our school district. She talked with the school's insurer and found out that the insurance that the school carries will cover any injury on the school's property, regardless if it is a school sanctioned event or not. For example, we have a church that meets in one building, Cheer America that uses a gym, girl scouts that meet also, some local business men who get together a few times a month for a game of b ball.
I would suggest that everyone talk with a rep from their district's central office before forking over big bucks for insurance that may not be neccessary.

Working Mom;131110 wrote: In our ongoing debate of PTA versus PTO, the pro-PTA mom has reported that PTAs get a lower rate for liability insurance than non-PTAs. According to her, PTAs are viewed as less risky - I assume because of the checks & balances provided by the National & State PTA.

Can anyone verify whether this is true? If you switched from a PTA to a PTO, are you paying a higher insurance premium? I haven't seen this raised in other posts - but I do apologize if this has already been covered somewhere.

Hi WM --

By-and-large (it depends somewhat on your PTA state), PTAs pay less for insurance.

It's got nothing to do, however, with PTA checks and balances. Rather, it's a result of volume of business -- more PTAs are insured, spreading the risk around a bit more broadly.

PTOs can ge insurance on their own or they can join PTO Today's PTO Today Plus rogram and get group-discount insurance. The PTO Today Plus rate is a good deal less than what most PTOs can get on their own and typically somewhat higher than what most PTAs pay.

It's typically exactly the same coverage, so the insurance argument really should be factored into the cost-benefit analysis. It works something like this:

PTA
Annual membership dues paid out to county, state, + national + insurance premium compared to benefits received (that you use) from being a PTA.

PTO
PTO Today Plus membership fee (optional) + insurance premium.

Usually, the cost of being a PTO is far less than the cost of being a PTA.

Tim

Nope- never seen such an animal

I've been invovled in PTA's and PTO's for over 15 yrs

Its like any insurance - have her site the source then comparison shop

My $$$ would be on its about even the cost-- More PTA BS IMHO (all non profits should have checks & balances in place)

In our ongoing debate of PTA versus PTO, the pro-PTA mom has reported that PTAs get a lower rate for liability insurance than non-PTAs. According to her, PTAs are viewed as less risky - I assume because of the checks & balances provided by the National & State PTA.

Can anyone verify whether this is true? If you switched from a PTA to a PTO, are you paying a higher insurance premium? I haven't seen this raised in other posts - but I do apologize if this has already been covered somewhere.