VII. Property and Casualty/Workers Compensation Insurance. Page

Transcription

1 VII. Property and Casualty/Workers Compensation Insurance Page A. Property and Casualty Insurance VII.1 1. Claims Reporting Instructions VII.2 2. Special Events Coverage VII.3 B. Workers Compensation Insurance VII.4 Purpose Statement: This section provides basic information regarding both property and casualty and workers compensation insurance, including an explanation of when special events coverage might be necessary. Specific notes of importance and suggested processes are included for when a property loss or personal injury has occurred. The Diocesan Finance Department strives to support parishes and schools with critical resources needed to mitigate financial risks and risk to organizations integrity during difficult situations. VII

2 Property and Casualty Insurance The Diocese purchases comprehensive property and casualty insurance through the Catholic Mutual Group for all Diocesan entities. The Diocese ensures all parishes and schools have appropriate coverage for the various types of insurance risk and coverage is reviewed annually for any necessary changes. Catholic Mutual Group bills the parishes and schools for their portions of the total premium, but parishes and schools should remit their insurance payments directly to the Diocese s Finance Department. Parishes and schools should not purchase policies on their own. Property Coverage Generally, all buildings are insured for fire and all risks at the recorded replacement cost. Unless coverage is for building only, insurance for contents is included in the replacement cost value. Newly-acquired real property and the contents of the newly-acquired real property used solely for church-related activities are covered for up to $10,000,000. Parishes and schools should notify Catholic Mutual immediately upon acquisition. A deductible of $1,000 applies to each loss occurrence and will be incurred by the parish. Exception: A $2,500 deductible per location or parish may apply to Wind and Hail damage losses. See following page for additional information on Claims Reporting Instructions. Special Events Parishes and schools may purchase separate Special Events coverage through the Catholic Mutual Group for any non-parish sponsored activities. See a following page for further information on Special Events. Catholic Mutual Group Contact: Contact: Michele DeGeorge Phone: 1-(800) Fax: 1-(402) mdegeorge@catholicmutual.org VII.1

3 Property Claims Reporting Instructions If property damage occurs, parish and school staff should take whatever means are necessary to protect the property from further damage. If contents are involved, separate the damaged articles from the undamaged. If buildings are open to the elements, arrange for temporary protection. Catholic Mutual Group will reimburse this expense with proper documentation. CONTACT CATHOLIC MUTUAL GROUP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Liability It is important that all persons understand the scope, intent, and limitations of liability coverage. Pastors and persons holding positions of authority should exercise caution when discussing, interpreting or assuming liability. If someone is injured on parish/school premises, obtain the pertinent facts and names and addresses of all witnesses. Tell the injured person the parish/school carries liability coverage and the incident will be referred to your carrier. A fair and impartial investigation will be made by an adjuster to determine the facts as to whether or not the parish is guilty of negligence. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ADMIT LIABILITY or prejudge the facts. By doing so, you could be unnecessarily exposing the parish and the Diocese to a claim or to a claim which might exceed the amount of liability coverage carried. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PARISH/SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT DISCLOSE TO ANYONE THE LIMITS OF LIABILITY COVERAGE THE ORGANIZATION CARRIES. If parish/school personnel are approached by anyone other than the Catholic Mutual Group s adjuster, do not give that person a statement or deposition; simply refer that person to Catholic Mutual Group. If parish/school personnel are served a Summons, refer this promptly to Catholic Mutual Group s adjuster, because each Summons contains a deadline. VII.2

4 Special Events Coverage Facility Usage When an outside group or individual (this includes parishioners) wishes to use Diocesan/parish/school property for a non-parish/school sponsored event, specific risk management guidelines must be followed. Either a certificate of insurance must be obtained with $1,000,000 general liability coverage which names the parish/school and the Diocese of Des Moines as additional insured or Special Events Coverage must be purchased. Determining When an Activity is Parish/School Sponsored The following questions are helpful: Did any costs or fees associated with the function flow through parish/school accounts? Did the parish/school have full control over the group or function? Was the function or group open to all parish/school members? Was the purpose of the function or group to facilitate learning, raise revenue for the parish/school or provide a social service on behalf of the parish/school? Was the teacher or leader of the group a parish/school volunteer or employee? Generally, if the answer to any of the above questions is no, the activity is not parish/school sponsored, meaning that the facility user needs to provide insurance which includes the Diocese and parish/school as additional insureds or purchase special events coverage. Non-Parish/School Sponsored Events When it is determined an activity is non-parish/school sponsored, there are two options: 1. The organization/individuals using the parish or school facilities can secure a certificate of insurance from their insurance carrier reflecting $1,000,000 general liability for use of the facility and the certificate MUST name the location and Diocese as additional insured. Submit this certificate of insurance needs to Catholic Mutual 15 business days prior to the event. Some homeowners insurance policies will not comply with this requirement, and as a result, Special Events coverage would then need to be purchased. 2. The organization/individuals using the parish or school facilities can purchase Special Events coverage which will cover the individuals/organization holding the activity, the parish/school, and the Diocese of Des Moines. Submit an application for special events coverage directly to Catholic Mutual at least 15 business days prior to the event. Contact Catholic Mutual for forms and information. VII.3

5 Workers Compensation Insurance The Diocese purchases workers compensation coverage through United Heartland, with LaMair-Mulock-Condon (LMC) serving as the agent, for all parish and school employees. Parishes and schools pay an allocation of the premium based on employees wages and job classifications. The Diocese bills parishes and schools annually for this coverage. Remit payments directly to the Diocesan Finance Department. Injuries at Work If an employee is injured on the job, the first priority is medical care for the employee. If the injury is serious, an ambulance should be called and immediate medical care delivered. If the injury is not severe, a call should be made to LMC so that the employee can be directed to the workers compensation physician. The staff at LMC will assist in making the appointment. A First Report of Injury form should be completed by the employee s supervisor or the business manager. State law requires this to be completed within three days of the injury and submitted to LMC. This form is the first step in filing the workers compensation claim. A copy of the form is available on the LMC website. LaMair-Mulock-Condon Contact: Markie Lamer Phone: 1 (800) or (515) Fax: (515) Markie.lamer@lmcins.com February 2010 VII.4