What Is Volunteer Firefighter and First Responder Insurance?
Volunteer firefighter and first responder insurance pays benefits to volunteer first responders when they sustain a covered injury or illness on duty. Types of volunteer first responders can include:
- Volunteer firefighters
- Ambulance drivers
- First aid responders
- Rescue squad members
Although they are not being paid for their services, volunteer firefighters and other first responders put their lives in danger to help keep others safe. At The Hartford, we believe that in the event of an accident, these local heroes deserve insurance protection designed specifically for them. We offer key coverages, such as:
- Income protection against loss of earnings if disabled
- Indemnity for loss of life, limb, sight or hearing
- Payment of medical care expenses for injuries and specified diseases
Who Is Eligible for The Hartford’s First Responder Insurance?
Most volunteer fire companies are eligible for volunteer firefighter and first responder insurance from The Hartford, subject to some state exceptions and approvals.
With firefighter blanket insurance from The Hartford, volunteer ambulance, first aid and rescue squads that are a part of a volunteer fire department may also be included under the department's policy.
Squads not affiliated with an insured fire company may be insured as individual units. Benefits and rates are the same as those applicable to fire companies.
Who Is Covered Under The Hartford’s First Responder Insurance Policy?
Coverage under our volunteer firefighter and first responder policy applies to:
- Volunteer members of the fire company (including members who may receive a nominal fee as a retainer)
- All volunteer members of volunteer ambulance, first aid and rescue squads not affiliated with a fire company
- All paid drivers or employees of the fire company who are regularly employed as full-time firefighters
- All paid drivers or employees of volunteer ambulance, first aid and rescue squads not affiliated with a fire company
- Bystanders who are not members of the insured fire or first responder company or any other voluntary firefighter organization but are deputized in an emergency by the fire chief or other official of the organization for an emergency (NOT applicable where deputizing is not permitted by law)
- Junior firefighters as well as members of the Firefighters Auxiliary
When Are First Responders Covered Under The Hartford’s Insurance Policy?
Volunteer firefighters and first responders are covered under The Hartford’s insurance policy when they become accidentally injured, ill or lose their lives while:
- On duty
- At a fire or fire drill
- On an emergency call or traveling to or returning from an emergency call
- At a parade or at a test or trial of any firefighting or emergency apparatus
- Participating or attending as a volunteer member of the organization (but not as a paid driver or employee)
- Riding in or on organization apparatus (including a private passenger vehicle furnished by the organization for the transportation of the fire chief or other official of the organization)
- While traveling to or returning from a fire drill, a parade or a test or trial of any fire-fighting apparatus
What Does Volunteer Firefighter and First Responder Insurance Cover?
Our volunteer firefighter and first responder insurance includes some of the most important coverages sought by emergency volunteers and paid employees, including:
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
The Hartford’s Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance helps provide benefits to the insured and their beneficiaries in the event of a covered loss, such as dismemberment or death due to an unforeseeable accident.
Accident Medical Expense Insurance
Accident medical expense insurance (AME) can help cover medical costs to treat injuries caused by a covered accident.
Cosmetic Disfigurement and Severe Burn Benefit
Our cosmetic disfigurement and severe burn coverage helps pay for the treatment of severe burns on one or more areas of the body resulting from participation in a covered activity.
Seatbelt Coverage
Our seatbelt coverage can pay a benefit if an insured accidentally dies in a car accident while wearing a seatbelt. This benefit can be paid in addition to the payments under our Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage.
To learn more about insurance for volunteer firefighters and first responders, contact your insurance agent or a local representative at The Hartford today.