Last Updated: July 17, 2023
Printable version of publication:
Fact Sheet on Foster Parent Liability Insurance
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) has prepared this fact sheet to answer questions raised concerning liability
insurance coverage for foster children.
Are foster parents required to have liability
insurance coverage?
Yes. Some county social services or human services departments require parents to provide a foster parent insurance verification form to confirm they have homeowner's or renter's liability insurance. This form does not obligate an insurance agent or company to provide more liability coverage than what is provided to other members of the
insured's family. The Department of Children and Families will now accept proof of existence of a homeowner's and renter's insurance policy as adequate to fulfill its insurance requirements.
What acts are covered by liability
insurance?
Intentional acts by any child in a family are generally
excluded from
coverage in a homeowner's or renter's
policy.
Unintentional bodily injury or property damage by any child in a family to a third party is generally covered by the liability portion of most homeowners or renters policies. The courts decide on the basis of the child's age and circumstances of the
claim whether the child's actions are intentional or unintentional. This would apply to both foster children and other children in the family.
May
insurance companies treat foster children differently from other children in the family?
No. Liability insurance
coverage in a homeowners or renters insurance
policy applies equally to all children in the household, including foster children.
May foster care be considered a business by an
insurance company?
No. Care of foster children is not regarded as a business. Monthly payments provided are only intended to meet the needs of the foster children and are not to be considered remuneration for the foster parent.
May an insurer refuse homeowners or renters
insurance to someone who provides foster parent care?
An insurer must underwrite applicants with foster children for homeowners or renters insurance on the same basis as it does other applicants. This means in some instances an insurer may refuse to issue a policy.
What happens if a family is not able to obtain
insurance?
If a family with foster children is unable to obtain required homeowners or renters insurance, or the insurance
policy is nonrenewed, cancelled, or payment of the
premium would cause undue financial hardship, the family may request a waiver of the requirement from the licensing agency. The Wisconsin Insurance Plan (WIP) may also be able to provide
coverage (see below).
Is there any immunity from liability for foster parents?
Except as provided in Wisconsin state statutes regarding parental liability for a minor's use of fireworks and sponsorship of a minor's application for a driver's license, licensed foster parents are generally immune from civil liability for an act or omission of the foster parent while they are acting in the capacity of a foster parent or an act or omission of a foster child while in the foster parent's care. However, this immunity does not apply if the act or omission of a foster parent was not done in good faith or was not in compliance with any written instructions received from the agency that placed the child.
Wisconsin Insurance Plan
Foster parents who have trouble obtaining adequate property
insurance in the voluntary market should consider applying to the Wisconsin Insurance Plan (WIP). WIP offers an insurance policy providing liability and property insurance to homeowners who are unable to obtain
coverage in the voluntary market. WIP premiums tend to be higher than premiums in the voluntary market. For more information about WIP, contact any property insurance agent or contact WIP directly at:
Wisconsin Insurance Plan
2115 10th Avenue, Suite 201
South Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53172
(414) 291-5353
Department of Children and Families Special Fund
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families administers the Foster/Treatment Foster and Family-Operated Group Home Liability Insurance Program (dcf.wisconsin.gov/fostercare/insurance ). This program was created by the Wisconsin legislature to ensure foster, treatment foster, and family-operated group home parents and their families are reimbursed for damages or losses they might experience caused by acts or omissions of children placed in their care not covered by private insurance policies.
For additional information, contact the social worker for the child who is placed in your foster or group home.