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Community Group Insurance Program - A PDRMA Member Service
Overview:
This PDRMA member service is designed to provide community groups with information and resources as to where they can obtain insurance products to meet the needs of their individual organizations. Since 2000, PDRMA has formally provided assistance to hundreds of our members' independent community groups by locating the insurance coverage they need to protect their groups' assets, leaders, and volunteers.
Community groups need to maintain their own insurance coverage to pay for losses they may cause through their organization's general activities and when working with PDRMA member agencies in jointly providing programs and related services to the local community.
There are often many choices for certain types of community groups to obtain insurance coverage while for others the marketplace is limited. For example, often for sports leagues the best source for insurance coverage may be with a national association that provides coverage for like sports groups. In other cases, smaller individual groups may be best serviced through a commercial insurance broker.
Our goal at PDRMA is to provide community groups with various insurance markets and resources so each community group can make an informed decision as to the best place for the group to purchase insurance coverage. If you would like to discuss your particular situation with PDRMA, contact Kevin Hoffman, Director of Member Services at 630-769-0332.
The following are common questions and answers that arise when discussing PDRMA member relationships with their community groups:
Question - Why can't the PDRMA member provide insurance coverage for our group? We provide program resources and the programs are listed in the agency's brochure.
Answer - PDRMA is an intergovernmental cooperative that was formed to provide insurance and risk management services to its municipal members. PDRMA's governing documents will not allow it to extend primary coverage to non-member groups. Given this, independent community groups must evaluate their individual insurance needs to protect the assets of the group and any liabilities that may arise to individuals participating with the community group. Community groups that do not maintain insurance coverage and are not incorporated create a possible personal liability exposure to volunteers and staff following a loss.
Question - What is a program of the PDRMA Member Agency vs. an independent community group program?
Answer - First, if the community group is a separate legal entity, has by-laws, maintains its own finances or hires staff, it is clear that it is not an insured program of the PDRMA member and is an independent community group.
Generally speaking, a PDRMA member program typically:
- Is planned, organized, and scheduled by agency staff.
- Is supervised, taught or directed by persons who are employees, volunteers, or hired as independent contractors by the agency.
- Operates in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Is registered by the agency with program fees being paid to the agency.
- Is subject to the final decision making of the agency.
- Is not organized as a separate legal entity established as a not-for-profit corporation through the Illinois Secretary of State's office.
A program does not:
- Have its own board of directors or similar governance.
- Have its own by-laws or governance documents.
- Have its own bank accounts or retained program fees.
- Hire/fire staff, independent contractors, or volunteers.
- Use its own waiver and registration forms.
Question - What kind of insurance does a community group need?
Answer - PDRMA has developed a sample minimum insurance guide for not-for-profit organizations/community groups. However, it is important to recognize that PDRMA provides this guide for informational purposes only. Each organization must evaluate their individual insurance needs through a licensed insurance broker or other qualified person.
Click Here for PDRMA's Sample Minimum Insurance Guide for not-for-profit Community Groups
Question - Where can a community group look for coverage?
Answer - There are a wide range of options to obtain insurance coverage for a community group. As discussed earlier, there are many national associations (most major sports leagues) that provide an insurance market if they are a member of the national organization. It is recommended that community groups first determine if any insurance is provided through a national organization that supports the mission of their community group.
Smaller or other non-sports community groups that do not have a national support organization may benefit in using an insurance broker that specializes in providing insurance programs for independent groups.
Listed below are two specialized sports/instructor brokers that have worked with PDRMA and its membership with success. An insurance broker is also listed below that works with independent groups.
Sports/Instructor Insurance Brokers
Francis L. Dean & Associates
1776 S. Naperville Road
P. O. Box 4200
Wheaton, IL 60189
Phone: 800-745-2409
Fax: 630-665-7294
Dean and Associates coverage programs offer a wide range of sports/instructor insurance programs including sports medical accident coverage, liability coverage, special risk programs and short term special events.
Website: www.fdean.com
K & K Insurance, Inc.
1712 Magnovox Way
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804
Phone: 866-554-4636
Fax: 260-459-5800
K & K also offers a wide range of sports /instructor based insurance programs including sports medical accident coverage, general liability, and short term event coverage.
Website: www.kandkinsurance.com
Independent Insurance Brokers
Hub International Illinois
Christy Willard
55 East Jackson Blvd, 14th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 922-5000
- Hub International can provide insurance coverage to a wide variety of group types. However, they have a minimum premium restriction.
T.A. Cummings Jr. Co.
Steve Sturtecky
4153 Main Street
Skokie, Illinois 60076
Phone: (847) 679-7350 x1314
Fax Number: (847) 679-7361
Email: steves@tacummings.com
- T.A Cummings can also place insurance coverage for a wide variety of group types including smaller groups.
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