Non-profit organizations employ more than 12.8 million people in the United States–representing nearly 10% of the private workforce. Despite its size and impact, the sector is marked by vulnerability, complexity, and rising risk. As exposures evolve and traditional markets struggle to keep pace, Irwin Siegel Agency (ISA) has observed the excess and surplus (E&S) sector gain momentum, and playing an increasingly vital role in supporting non-profits.
In a recent interview with Insurance Business, Zachary Siegel, AVP of Distribution at ISA, emphasizes that effective risk management depends on organizational culture in addition to coverage design. At ISA, the culture of “Supporting Those Who Support Others™” is deeply ingrained through firsthand experience—over 60% of ISA employees come directly from social service backgrounds. This perspective enables the team to understand the operational realities and inherent risks these organizations face, uniquely positioning ISA to deliver more thoughtful, proactive, and tailored risk management solutions.
“Non-profit and human service organizations operate at the intersection of mission, risk, and public trust. As their operating environments grow more complex, the role of program administrators and the importance of the E&S market have expanded. Supporting these vulnerable sectors can benefit from more specialization in underwriting, adaptability, and a long-term commitment to sustainability.”
Program administrators play a critical role in supporting organizations that serve some of society’s most vulnerable populations. As Siegel noted, while insurance placement remains at the forefront, their broader responsibility is to act as risk stewards, enhance communications between carriers, brokers, and mission-driven organizations to promote long-term resilience.
“This stewardship begins with risk translation grounded in ISA’s deep specialization in human and social services and informed by a team with firsthand industry experience. ISA evaluates how frontline service delivery, regulatory oversight, workforce constraints, and funding uncertainty translate into insurable exposures. Coverage frameworks are intentionally designed with the intent to align with real-world operations. Equally important, ISA serves as a long-term resource in volatile markets, providing continuity not only in underwriting, claims philosophy, and risk management expectations, but also in a mission-driven approach that prioritizes the organizations it insures.
“When executed thoughtfully, the role can extend beyond protecting balance sheets. It helps preserve the continuity of essential services, enabling organizations to focus on their mission, rather than the uncertainty of risk transfer.”
The underlying risk landscape continues to evolve. As Siegel explained, key exposures include sexual abuse and molestation and professional liability, with expanded statutes of limitation, growing awareness, and increased litigation shaping how these risks are assessed and managed.
“Workforce instability has emerged as a significant concern,” Siegel told Insurance Business. “Staffing shortages, burnout, and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified staff heighten operational risk and contribute to employment practices liability, supervision challenges, and fatigue-driven incidents. Many organizations also serve populations struggling with mental health, homelessness, or substance use, which can elevate the frequency and severity of claims related to behavioral challenges, injury, or third-party liability.
“Overlaying all of this is financial pressure. Funding sources are often uncertain, while regulatory and governance expectations continue to rise. As a result, social service organizations are increasingly focused on strengthening internal controls, formalizing training programs, improving incident reporting practices, and seeking insurance advisors who understand the nuances of their mission.”
As these pressures merge, Irwin Siegel Agency is seeing more risks moving away from the admitted market and into the E&S market–often for excess solutions.
“Coverage terms can be customized, sublimits thoughtfully applied, and loss control expectations incorporated into program design. Importantly, this migration does not mean these risks are unmanageable. Rather, it acknowledges that they may benefit from individualized evaluation and a willingness to engage with risk holistically, something Irwin Siegel Agency is uniquely positioned to do.”
However, this shift brings a broader responsibility for the sector to help shape the future of insurance. As more social service risks move into the E&S market for excess policies, the sector has both an opportunity–and a stake in shaping– how the wider insurance ecosystem evolves.
“E&S can function as a center of innovation for hard-to-place risks. That could mean developing underwriting standards that incentivize best practices rather than penalizing imperfection, sharing data and insights that improve industry understanding of human service risk, and promoting sustainable capacity rather than reactive, short-term participation. Many of today’s solutions, whether in coverage structure, pricing discipline, or risk management integration, may ultimately influence how the market responds to social service exposures in the future.”
Crucially, this approach hinges on strong relationships. Some programs are not just underwriting risk; they’re actively working to improve it.
“Rather than excluding exposures outright, they engage with them thoughtfully, balancing accountability with access,” added Siegel. “Consistent underwriting philosophy and claims handling further reinforce trust, allowing organizations to plan with confidence rather than facing unpredictable market swings. Ultimately, success in this space is can be defined by more than premium volume or short-term results. It can also be defined by the ability to support organizations whose work is essential, community-based, and inherently variable in risk exposure, helping risk management serve as a foundation for continued service, not a barrier to it.”
Founded by Irwin Siegel in 1960 and located in Rock Hill, NY, Irwin Siegel Agency has helped develop insurance programs for social and human service organizations nationwide. In 1982, ISA designed the very first property and casualty insurance package specifically designed for non-profit providers serving individuals with disabilities.
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Irwin Siegel Agency is a series of RSG Specialty, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company based in Illinois. RSG Specialty, LLC, is a subsidiary of Ryan Specialty, LLC. Irwin Siegel Agency works directly with brokers, agents and insurance carriers, and as such does not solicit insurance from the public. Some products may only be available in certain states, and some products may only be available from surplus lines insurers. In California: RSG Specialty Insurance Services, LLC (License #0G97516). ©2026 Ryan Specialty, LLC
This article was created in partnership with Irwin Siegel Agency
