District of Columbia Daycare Insurance

Last updated: September 14, 2026

DC facilities must prove CGL, umbrella, abuse/molestation and (if transporting) vehicle liability—ORM sets reasonable amounts, with no fixed dollar floor.

District of Columbia daycare liability: required types, no fixed dollar floor

OSSE-licensed child development facilities must provide proof of insurance with a reasonable coverage amount as determined by the District of Columbia Office of Risk Management (ORM) for four coverage types under 5-A DCMR §103.5(f):

1. Commercial General Liability
2. Umbrella “Follow Form” Liability
3. Sexual Abuse & Molestation Liability
4. Vehicle liability for every vehicle used to transport children (if applicable)

Ongoing maintenance appears in §129 / §129.4—keep evidence on premises and produce it to OSSE on request. OSSE declined fixed dollar amounts in rulemaking; coverage varies by size, type and services via ORM. Partner or DCPS contract figures ($1M/$2M and similar) are contract demands, not universal licensing floors.

How much liability coverage should you buy?

Because DCMR requires the coverage stack without a fixed dollar amount, work from ORM “reasonable coverage” guidance plus any lease or partner exhibits that do name limits.

Send the provider any lease, school agreement or other contract requiring higher limits. Ask for comparable options at lower and higher limits, with the same covered activities and deductible, so you can see the cost difference.

Review the per-occurrence limit and any aggregate or separate abuse-related limit. Ask how defense costs affect available protection. If considering an umbrella, have the agent identify the underlying policies it requires and the childcare exposures it excludes; do not assume it fills every gap in the base policy.

Coverage to compare for a District of Columbia daycare or preschool

General liability, professional liability and abuse or molestation coverage answer different questions. Have the provider explain how the proposal handles a premises injury, a supervision allegation and a claim involving a staff member. Confirm that the services you offer are described and that the relevant people and locations are insured.

For a home, ask the residential insurer how business childcare affects its coverage and compare the proposed endorsement with a separate childcare policy. For a center or preschool, distinguish landlord-owned property from your furnishings, supplies and improvements. Ask which causes of loss and interruptions are covered before adding property or business-income protection.

How much does District of Columbia daycare insurance cost?

There is no single premium for every daycare. As a broad reference, Insureon’s national human-and-social-services customer medians are $91/month for general liability, $135 for a business owner’s policy and $99 for professional liability, checked September 14, 2026. That sample is broader than daycare; these are not state daycare averages or Simply Business prices.

Use those figures only to understand separate budget categories. A business owner’s policy can bundle liability and property, so do not add every figure as though it were a required package. Request a childcare-specific proposal using your program type, child count and ages, payroll, transportation, claims history and required limits.

Compare the total annual premium, deductible, included activities and any separate abuse-coverage limit. Ask about installment charges, endorsements and the cost of changes during the year. Two prices are comparable only after the provider explains the differences in protection.

Request quotes that separately address CGL, umbrella follow-form, sexual abuse and molestation, and—if you transport—vehicle liability. Comparing those lines consistently is more useful than treating a partner RFA limit as every facility’s licensing floor.

Workers’ compensation in the District of Columbia

Employers with one or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance or DOES-approved self-insurance—see DOES OWC FAQs (Q6) and D.C. Code Title 32, Chapter 15.

Keep workers’ compensation separate from the OSSE liability stack under 5-A DCMR §103.5(f).

Transport: vehicle liability if you move children

Vehicle liability is required for every vehicle used to provide transportation services to children when that service applies. Maintain vehicle safety and insurance documents with the facility insurance file and produce them to OSSE on request. DCMR does not publish a numeric daycare auto floor; District motor vehicle minimums are commonly 25/50/10 (plus uninsured-motorist rules under DC law).

If you do not transport, say so clearly on applications so vehicle liability is not assumed as a universal fourth policy for every program.

Keep coverage and licensing evidence aligned through the year

Calendar renewals so CGL, umbrella, abuse/molestation and any vehicle policies remain continuous while children are in care. Keep proof on site under §129.

Update the agent—and ORM/OSSE evidence—before adding transport, capacity or locations so the reasonable-coverage package still matches the licensed program.

Prepare your District of Columbia daycare insurance quote

• Legal operator name, address, permit or certificate type and requested coverage date.
• Licensed capacity, actual enrollment, ages served, hours and all locations.
• Staff, volunteers, payroll and screening/supervision procedures.
• Transportation, field trips, water activities and other services offered.
• Existing policy, claim history and insurance requirements from leases or contracts.

Ask each provider to identify the named insured, covered activities, limits, deductibles, exclusions and endorsements. Confirm whether defense costs reduce any relevant limit and how claims must be reported. If a quote cannot cover an activity, resolve that gap rather than assuming a certificate will make the proposal acceptable.

Frequently asked questions

Does the District of Columbia set a dollar minimum for daycare liability insurance?

No fixed statutory dollar floor. 5-A DCMR §103.5(f) requires CGL, umbrella follow-form, sexual abuse and molestation coverage, and vehicle liability if transporting, in reasonable amounts determined by ORM.

Which insurance types must a DC child development facility carry?

Commercial general liability, umbrella follow-form liability, sexual abuse and molestation liability, and—if the facility transports children—vehicle liability for each transport vehicle.

Is vehicle insurance required if my DC facility does not transport children?

Vehicle liability under §103.5(f) applies to vehicles used to transport children. If you do not provide transportation, that line is not a universal fourth policy for every program—confirm your operations with OSSE.

When must a District of Columbia daycare buy workers’ compensation?

DOES OWC guidance generally requires workers’ compensation (or approved self-insurance) when you have one or more employees.

Related guides

Daycare Insurance · District of Columbia / Daycare

Requirements and source benchmarks checked September 14, 2026. Policy terms and availability depend on the insurer and your business.