DAYCARE & CHILDCARE INSURANCE — OHIO
Daycare insurance in Ohio.
Protect the children in your care
and the business you built.
Childcare centers, preschools, and in-home daycares face some of the highest liability exposure of any small business. Abuse and molestation coverage, professional liability, and general liability are all essential — and all separate. Myers Insurance Group has been insuring Ohio childcare operations since 2008.
Childcare carries liability exposure that most standard policies don't address.
Daycare centers and childcare providers are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children — and that responsibility creates liability exposure that goes far beyond what a standard General Liability policy covers. Abuse and molestation claims, professional negligence, and child injury during supervised activities all require specific coverage that standard commercial policies exclude or severely limit.
Ohio childcare licensing requirements also include specific insurance mandates. Operating without adequate coverage puts your license at risk in addition to your financial exposure — and in a profession built on parental trust, a single uncovered claim can end your business permanently.
Myers Insurance Group builds Ohio childcare insurance programs that address the full scope of your liability — protecting the children in your care and the business you've built around serving families.
The coverage gaps most Ohio daycares don't know they have
No abuse and molestation coverage. Standard GL policies exclude abuse and molestation claims entirely. This is your highest-stakes liability exposure — and it requires a specific endorsement or separate policy.
No professional liability. A child injured during a supervised activity, a developmental concern not caught and reported, an allegation of negligent supervision — these are professional liability claims, not GL claims.
Transportation gaps. If you transport children in any vehicle, commercial auto coverage is required. Personal auto policies exclude transporting children for a daycare business.
In-home daycare homeowner's exclusion. If you operate a daycare from your home, your homeowner's policy explicitly excludes business operations. You need a separate childcare policy regardless of where you operate.
Daycare and childcare coverage in Ohio.
A complete Ohio childcare insurance program addresses every aspect of your liability — from the playground to the pickup line.
General Liability
Covers slip-and-fall, property damage, and basic third-party injury claims on your premises. The foundation of any childcare policy — but not sufficient on its own.
Abuse & Molestation Coverage
Your most critical and most commonly missing coverage. Standard GL policies exclude abuse and molestation claims entirely. Non-negotiable for any organization working with children.
Professional Liability
Covers claims from negligent supervision, failure to report mandatory concerns, and professional decisions made in your childcare operation. Separate from GL and equally important.
Commercial Property
Covers your facility, playground equipment, furniture, educational materials, and build-out against fire, theft, vandalism, and covered perils.
Workers Compensation
Required in Ohio for employees. Childcare workers face physical injury risks — lifting, slip-and-fall, and workplace illness. Non-negotiable for any childcare center with staff.
Commercial Auto
Required if you transport children. Transporting children for a daycare business in any vehicle requires commercial auto coverage — personal policies exclude this use.
Directors & Officers (D&O)
For childcare centers operating as nonprofit or corporate entities. Covers board members and leadership against claims from governance and management decisions.
Business Interruption
Covers lost tuition revenue when a fire or covered loss forces your childcare facility to close temporarily. Families depend on your facility — protect your income while repairs happen.
In-Home Daycare Coverage
Homeowner's policies exclude in-home daycare operations. A dedicated in-home childcare policy covers your business liability without voiding your homeowner's coverage.
Daycare insurance in Ohio — what you need to know.
Does Ohio require daycares to carry insurance?
Yes. Ohio childcare licensing through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services requires licensed childcare centers to carry minimum liability coverage as a condition of licensing. The specific requirements vary by license type and capacity. Operating without adequate coverage puts your license at risk — and your personal assets exposed to any claim that arises.
What is abuse and molestation coverage and why can't I skip it?
Abuse and molestation coverage specifically covers claims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children in your care — by staff, volunteers, or other children. Standard GL policies exclude these claims entirely. For any organization working with children, this is the single most important coverage you can have. One uncovered abuse claim — even a false allegation — can generate legal costs that exceed everything your business is worth.
I run a daycare from my home — does my homeowner's policy cover me?
No. Homeowner's policies explicitly exclude business operations conducted from your home. The moment you accept payment for childcare in your home, your homeowner's policy excludes coverage for that activity. An in-home daycare policy is a separate product that covers your childcare liability without affecting your homeowner's coverage. This is one of the most common and most dangerous coverage gaps we find in Ohio.
A child was injured on our playground — are we covered?
A child injury during supervised activities can be both a GL claim and a professional liability claim depending on the circumstances. If the injury was due to defective equipment or a premises condition, GL responds. If the claim involves negligent supervision or failure to maintain a safe environment, professional liability may be involved. Having both coverages ensures you're protected regardless of how the claim is characterized.